WHATS GOOD ABOUT BANANAS?

A lot of people think that bananas cause you to get fat, but really they have a glycemic index of only 12 which is low enough to be considered as a food that can be eaten daily in a balanced diet. Here are some facts about bananas that cover their major good characteristics:

0 gms fat
0 gms cholesterol
110 calories per average size banana
400 mg potassium, 10% of daily requirement
4 gms of fiber, 16% of daily requirement
14.8 gms of sugar
Vitamin C, 16% of daily requirement
Vitamin B6, 20% of daily requirement
10.6 mg of tryptophan
24 gms of carbohydrate

From the above data we can see that a banana is a good source of energy, fiber, and carbohydrates. A good time to eat one is with your breakfast in the morning, or just make it your breakfast and you will feel great.
According to medical reports bananas are also thought to be good for your heart, nerves, kidneys, bones, and blood. Bananas are often recommended for people who are having muscle cramps which is helped by the extra potassium. Potassium is needed by your nerves for their basic function in addition to sodium. Potassium and sodium must be in the proper balance for your nerves to function well. The high fiber content will help with bowel health. With one banana you get a good start on your daily requirements for Vitamin C and B6. The 24 gms of carbohydrate gives you extended energy throughout the day. Your body is mostly carbohydrate so you need it in your daily diet. The tryptophan content is not very high but it helps to create serotonin which is necessary for sleep and helps to calm nerves. Bananas are especially good for children to provide energy at school and for physical activity. Of course, like any food, too much is not good. You can eat one or two a day, depending on whether you are eating them for energy or for a medical condition for that your doctor has recommended them to you for. Finally, one of the best things about bananas is that they are an inexpensive food, readily available. One thing to be aware of is that most bananas are grown in the jungles and are sometimes heavily sprayed with insecticides, so you should wash your hands after handling them and removing the peel (don't eat the peelings.) All in all, I think that a banana is a good choice to help fill your daily fruit requirement without raising your blood sugar level to any great degree.