Why Eating Bananas Daily is Good

Bananas are aplenty in the Philippines, although the quality varies by soil type and season (wet and dry). Its price depends on the distance of the farms to the market. Ideally, it should be allowed to ripen at the tree. But when the market is far from the farm, then it should be harvested raw (very green) so by the time it gets to the market, it would be a bit ripe.

Yet, eating bananas everyday is good not just for the gut but also for weight loss. Bananas are in the experts’ list of seven healthiest food to eat.

Nutritionist Heather Hanks said bananas are one of the only foods that contain prebiotic fiber, or that which “feeds” the good bacteria in the gut.

The benefits of prebiotic fiber are not in short-order. The nutrient “can help boost your immune system, stabilize blood sugar levels, and keep your weight down,” Hanks continues.

Citing a 2011 study, Hanks said women who ate a banana daily and reportedly experienced gastrointestinal bloating, felt wonderful after eating the fruit.

In that same study, Hanks adds, “the authors noted that eating bananas may help healthy women with unwanted weight gain.” So, eating bananas not only helps in maintaining health, but it can also help with your weight maintenance efforts.

Rachel Fine, a registered dietician and owner of the To The Point Nutrition, cites the importance and power of a good gut health. She said the fiber in bananas “supports digestive regularity.”

Elizabeth Ward MS, RD, affirms this claim. Ward says she eats a banana every day, and in addition to keeping your digestion regular, the best effects of the fruit are feeling full and its high potassium content helps keep blood pressure in control.

One banana has enough potassium to account for 10 percent of your daily intake, so eating bananas every day goes a long way towards ensuring that you consume the correct amount of the nutrient.

Omiete Charles-Davies, a medical doctor and founder of One Doctor explains that potassium helps with good muscle activity and regulating fluid balance.

Overall, experts endorse bananas for various reasons. But the best single benefit of banana as a staple is helping the gut to be stronger.

By Rose de la Cruz