The surprising truth about the myth of bananas and their daily consumption
There is a belief that eating a banana a day is unhealthy because they make us gain weight, but the truth is quite different.
Its remarkable nutrient content makes bananas a satiating and very beneficial food that contributes to improving intestinal transit, athletic performance, and even mood. A fruit rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, and L-tryptophan; many, however, believe that it is not beneficial for our bodies if consumed daily. There is a myth that this fruit makes us gain weight because it is high in calories, but this is not the case.
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| Box of bananas |
Their calorie content is indeed high (89 kcal per 100 grams); however, nutritionists focus on the weight of bananas to dispel this negative belief. A medium-sized peeled banana weighs 80 grams, while, for example, a medium-sized peeled apple (50 kcal per 100 grams) weighs 180 grams, and a pear (45 kcal per 100 grams) weighs an average of 150 grams. These figures debunk the myth about bananas and show that their caloric content is similar to, or even lower than, that of other typical, everyday fruits in our diet.
Bananas help control our weight
However, the degree of ripeness must also be taken into account when assessing their nutritional composition. If it's greener, it will have more starch and will be slower to digest; and if it's yellower, it will be richer in sugars. The former are interesting as prebiotics, while riper bananas can improve athletic performance and also help with recovery after exercise.
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| Tennis player eating a banana during a match |
In any case, contrary to popular belief that they can make us gain weight, especially if we eat them every day, bananas can even serve a very different purpose. This fruit is notable for its ghrelin content, a hormone that directly affects body weight control. Bananas also contain leptin, which helps us feel full and increases energy expenditure, as indicated by a joint study by the Faculty of Medicine of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and the Spanish Paralympic Committee. Thus, bananas do not make us gain weight, but rather, they can help us lose weight.
Categories: Nutrition Tips