2024-10-30 17:00:00
Defined as the ‘food of champions’, it is a product that can be used on its own, in snack format, or as a complement to other healthy recipes at any time of the day. Not in vain, In Spain it is the second most consumed fruitbehind the orange.
Yes, you guessed it, we are talking about banana, a fruit that can delay the absorption of sugars into the blood, as well as providing us with the muscle strength necessary to recover after training. But its benefits go far beyond that. An expert explains to us how far they go.
Why is banana called the “food of champions”?
Mireia Belmonte
There are countless reasons why we should do this add the banana to our diet, and one of these has a lot to do with the nickname given to it by experts on ‘food of champions’.
To find out the reason that places it on the podium of foods that help muscle strength and recovery, the nutrition expert Jaume Giménezfrom Nutritional Coaching and Dia consultant, provides us with the keys to understanding it.
First of all, “the banana is an excellent source of… vitamins, minerals and fibre. It mainly contains vitamin C (acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals) and vitamin B6 (which helps the correct functioning of our nervous system).
But in addition, the banana “is rich in potassium (which helps us in muscle contraction), magnesium (necessary for muscle, nerve and bone function) and phosphorus (which plays a crucial role in bone health, kidney function and energy metabolism). It is also rich in carbohydrates and provides us with quick energy to consume extra during exercise.”
Benefits of banana beyond muscle strengthening
In addition to muscle recovery, banana consumption promotes good mood thanks to the tryptophan contained in it.
But beyond being the ‘food of champions’ as stated above, the banana has a lot good humored responsibility: “contains tryptophan, an amino acid that the body uses to produce melatonin and serotonin, so consuming bananas can help us sleep and improve our mood.”
Banana can also (although many believe it is indigestible) “help prepare the easier digestionas it is easily digestible without irritating the digestive tract. “This is why it is usually recommended in case of gastritis or to be taken after diarrhea to restore lost minerals.”
Fun facts about bananas that maybe you didn’t know
Plantains, if eaten more ripe, usually contain a little more sugar than bananas.
This tropical fruit originates from Southeast Asia, although it has often been mistakenly attributed to Central America. Believe it or not, banana is the most consumed fruit in the world: It is grown in more than 150 countries and the main exporters include Ecuador, Costa Rica and the Philippines.
Although banana and plantain are used synonymously, according to the expert consulted there are some differences. “The banana is larger, its shape is straighter and the color is different (the pulp of the Canarian product is light creamy yellow in color with the characteristic brown specks, compared to the greenish tone of the banana). On a nutritional level, The Canarian banana is sweeter because it is eaten a little more ripe and therefore it will have less starch and more sugar than banana.
How to store bananas
Bananas can be frozen, peeled, sliced and placed in an airtight bag.
If bananas are green and you want them ripen fasteryou can put them in a paper bag together with an apple or a pear. These fruits release ethylene which accelerates the ripening process.
If, on the contrary, you want to prevent them from ripening quickly, you can wrap the tip of the bunch, where the bananas are attached to each other, with transparent film. And if you have a lot of bananas, remember this you can freeze themall you have to do is peel them, chop them and put them in an airtight bag for the freezer.
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N, and it is typically sweeter, while the plantain is larger and starchier, often used in savory dishes.”
Additionally, bananas are known for their unique structure. They are technically classified as berries and grow in clusters, while the plantain is often mistaken for a vegetable due to its culinary uses. Fun fact: bananas, when unripe, contain more starch than sugar, making them less sweet and more fibrous.
Conclusion
the banana is a versatile, nutrient-rich fruit that offers numerous health benefits, from muscle recovery to mood enhancement. Incorporating bananas into your diet can not only support your physical performance but also contribute to overall well-being. So, the next time you reach for a snack, remember the “food of champions” and enjoy its many advantages!