Bananas are a good all rounder and provide some useful nutrients such as Vitamin C B6 and potassium.
Vitamin C helps to keep the immune system healthy as it is a great antioxidant and antihistamines. It helps with the absorption of Iron and the production of collagen. Resists bacterial and viral diseases, controls blood cholesterol levels and is important for normal brain and nerve function and in tooth and bone formation.
B6 is a water soluble vitamin and important for energy production in the body. It is needed for the production and repair of body tissues and in maintaining healthy mucous surfaces. It helps to maintain cholesterol by reducing the homocysteine levels.
Potassium, together with sodium and chloride, is an electrolyte and a proper balance of all three is important for nerve function, muscle contraction, fluid balance and acid-alkali balance. Potassium helps to lower blood pressure and if the potassium levels fall too low in relation to sodium levels this will tend to increase blood pressure.
Bananas provide good fibre especially a type known as fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) which provides nutrients for good bacteria that inhabit our digestive tract. It is known as a ‘prebiotic’.