11 health benefits of bananas

 Bananas are extremely healthy and delicious.

They contain several essential nutrients and provide benefits for digestion, heart health and weight loss.

Aside from being very nutritious, they are also a highly convenient snack food.

Here are 11 health benefits of bananas.

1. Bananas Contain Many Important Nutrients.

• Potassium: 9% of the RDI
• Vitamin B6: 33% of the RDI
• Vitamin C: 11% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 8% of the RDI
• Copper: 10% of the RDI
• Manganese: 14% of the RDI
• Net carbs: 24 grams
• Fiber: 3.1 grams
• Protein: 1.3 grams
• Fat: 0.4 grams

2. Bananas Contain Nutrients That Moderate Blood Sugar Levels.

Bananas can help moderate blood sugar levels after meals and may reduce appetite by slowing stomach emptying.

3. Bananas May Improve Digestive Health

Bananas contain two main types of fiber:

• Pectin: Decreases as the banana ripens.
• Resistant starch: Found in unripe bananas.

4. Bananas May Support Heart Health

Bananas are a good dietary source of potassium and magnesium — two nutrients that are essential for heart health.

5. Bananas Contain Powerful Antioxidants

Bananas are high in several antioxidants, which may help reduce damage from free radicals and lower your risk of some diseases.

6. Bananas May Help You Feel More Full

Depending on ripeness, bananas harbor high amounts of resistant starch or pectin. Both may reduce appetite and help keep you full.

7. Unripe Bananas May Improve Insulin Sensitivity

Unripe bananas are a good source of resistant starch, which may improve insulin sensitivity. However, more research is needed.

8. Bananas May Improve Kidney Health.

Eating a banana several times a week may reduce your risk of kidney disease by up to 50%.