But you might not know that a banana a day keeps high blood pressure at bay. This fruit is packed full of potassium -- an important blood pressure-lowering mineral. Potassium helps balance sodium in the body. The more potassium you eat, the more sodium your body gets rid of.
Bananas For Hypertension: One of the most prominent health benefits of banana is its ability to manage blood pressure levels. Banana is a good source of vitamin C, B vitamins and fiber.
Hypertension is a condition wherein the blood pressure is constantly elevated and people suffering from the condition have to be very careful about their diets. Fortunately today, we know enough about the right kind of diet that could keep BP in check. One such wonder fruit is banana. Don't you all just love bananas? The easy-to-peel, easy-to-eat fruit is everywhere; be it desserts, shakes, smoothies, salads or chips, banana is a versatile fruit that can be savored in various delicacies. Fortunately, India is very lucky in terms of produce too. Not just the fruit, other parts of the banana tree are also commonly used by many communities in the country. Bananas, both raw and ripe, are a treasure trove of health benefits. They are a good source of vitamin C, B vitamins and fiber. One of the most prominent health benefits of banana is its ability to manage blood pressure levels. High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of blood against the artery wall is too high. If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure may also lead to stroke.
Here's What Makes Banana An Ideal Fruit For High Blood Pressure Management:
Bananas are very low in sodium. High BP patients are often told to monitor their salt intake. Having too much of salt may disturb the water balance in the body, which in turn could put a lot of pressure on blood vessels and lead to surged BP levels.
Bananas are rich in potassium content. Potassium is one of the most important minerals to check fluctuations in your blood pressure levels. It is very important to include as many natural sources of potassium in your diet as you can as potassium helps negate the effects of sodium. It acts as a vasodilator; the more potassium you eat, the more sodium you tend to eliminate through urine.
Not just that, potassium also plays a crucial role in easing tension in your blood vessel walls. Did you know that 100 grams of banana contains 358 mg of potassium? According to a study published in the International journal of Pharmacognosy, pulp of ripe banana, supplied daily 50 grams per rat daily together with standard food pellets, prevented an increase in blood pressure induced mice.
Banana Nutrition
Bananas are one of the healthiest fruits out there. A 100 gm serving of banana contains just 89 calories, according to data by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It is also rich in water content- a 100 gm serving of banana contains 74g of water, as well as 22g of carbohydrates. It also contains Vitamin C, folate and Vitamin A.
You can have banana as it is, or add it to your morning cereal as well. You can also make delicious and healthy banana breads and pair them with milkshakes. It is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly in order to manage the condition.
