Banana is a delicious and nutritious fruit. They are a good source of essential nutrients like potassium, manganese, vitamins C and B6
Banana is a nutrient-rich fruit. They are such versatile ingredients that they are even the main ingredient in many cuisines around the world. However, eating too much of this fruit can be harmful to your health.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Data Center, a medium-sized, 118-gram fresh banana contains 105 calories, 27 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber, 0.3 grams of fat, and one gram of protein.
Although bananas contain fat and protein, their servings are inadequate for the recommended daily intake of these essential nutrients.
Bananas are low in protein and fat
Protein is an essential nutrient responsible for proper immune function, bone health, muscle building and tissue repair, according to a study published in the US National Library of Medicine. Fat, on the other hand, provides the body with energy and aids in the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients. Plus, it boosts hormone production and brain health.
Bananas should only be eaten as a snack and not as a complete meal because they lack sufficient amounts of fat and protein for the body to function properly. It's best to pair them with nutrient-rich foods like walnuts, peanut butter, and hard-boiled eggs.
Meals that include both fruit and healthy sources of fat and protein are considered nutritionally balanced meals. You can also consume more than one banana per day. However, daily intake should be limited as excessive consumption increases the risk of health problems.
How many bananas should you eat per day?
Bananas are remarkably low in calories, but consuming more than the recommended daily amount can lead to weight gain.
According to Science Direct, the starch content of unripe green bananas converts to sugar as the fruit ripens. Therefore, the calories you eat from ripe bananas are derived from sugar. Excessive consumption makes it harder for the body to control blood sugar.
People with sugar diseases such as prediabetes and diabetes should not eat overripe bananas. These conditions require the person to regulate their blood sugar to prevent the disease from developing into life-threatening conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and even death.
The recommended daily intake of bananas is 1-3 medium sized bananas per day. This is considered a moderate amount for most healthy people. However, you can eat as many bananas as you want as long as you don't consume too many calories.