That fullness comes because fiber adds bulk in your stomach and slows down how quickly it empties. Swapping a 300 calorie processed snack for a 100 calorie banana gives you nutrients and better satiety.
While we often think of berries for antioxidants bananas actually contain quite a few including flavonoids dopamine and catechins. These compounds help fight free radicals that contribute to oxidative stress aging and certain diseases.
The vitamin C in bananas also boosts your immune system making you more resistant to infections.
Bananas can also play a role in kidney health. Research has found that women who eat bananas a couple of times a week had a lower risk of kidney disease over a long period.
By helping control blood pressure which is a major factor in kidney problems bananas offer some protection. Of course if you already have serious kidney issues and are on a low potassium diet check with your doctor first.
Debunking the Common Banana Myths
These days myths spread fast on social media so lets set the record straight on a few big ones about bananas.
First theres the idea that bananas have too much sugar. The natural sugars in fruit come packaged with fiber vitamins and minerals so your body handles them much differently than added sugars in sodas or candy. The whole fruit provides more nutritional value than any downside from the sugar.
