Bananas are nutrient-dense fruits. They are versatile ingredients that they are even staples in many cuisines worldwide. Eating too much of the fruit, however, may harm your health.
What Are Bananas?
Bananas are highly nutritious and delicious fruits. They are a good source of essential nutrients such as potassium, manganese, vitamins C and B6, as per Healthline.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Data Central, one medium-sized, fresh banana weighing 118 grams amounts to 105 calories, 27 grams of carbs, three grams of fiber, 0.3 grams of fat and one gram of protein. It also contains 17 percent vitamin C, 12 percent vitamin B6, 12 percent potassium, 16 percent manganese and 18 percent magnesium of the Daily Value (DV).
Although bananas contain fat and protein, their portions run short of the daily recommended intake of these essential nutrients.
Low In Protein And Fat
Protein is an essential nutrient responsible for proper immune function, bone health, muscle building and tissue repair, as per a study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Fat, on the other hand, gives the body energy and aids in the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients. Plus, it boosts hormone production and brain health.
Bananas should only be eaten as snacks and not treated as complete meals since they lack sufficient amounts of fat and protein in order for the body to function properly. It is best to pair them with food that is rich in these nutrients, such as walnuts, peanut butter and boiled egg. Meals that contain both the fruit and sources of healthy fat and protein are considered nutritionally balanced ones.
You may also consume more than one banana per day. However, it is recommended to limit the daily intake thereof since excess consumption increases the risk of health problems.
How Many Bananas Should You Eat Per Day?
Bananas are significantly low in calories but consuming more than the daily recommended intake leads to weight gain.
According to Science Direct, unripe green bananas’ starch content transforms into sugar as the fruits ripen. The calories you eat from ripe bananas are therefore sourced from sugar. Overconsumption makes it more difficult for the body to control blood sugar levels.
Those who suffer from sugar conditions such as prediabetes and diabetes are discouraged from overconsuming ripe bananas. These conditions require the patients to regulate their blood sugar conditions to prevent their diseases from developing into life-threatening conditions such as stroke, heart disease and even death.
The daily recommended intake for bananas is one to three medium-sized pieces per day. This is considered a moderate intake for most healthy people. You may, however, eat as many bananas as you want so long as you are not overconsuming calories.
Bananas are known to be healthy but not for people experiencing hyperkalemia, which occurs due to high levels of potassium in the blood. Pixabay
