From Immunity to Digestion: Top Benefits of Eating Red Bananas

Before knowing about the consumption of red bananas and its benefits, it is important to know how it is different from the normal yellow bananas available in the market?

Usually you will not understand any special difference in eating both the bananas. Both bananas are good sources of dietary fiber and calories and carbs are found in almost the same amount in both. Yes, these following properties make red bananas special.

In comparison to yellow bananas, red bananas -

• Are slightly smaller and dense.
• They are mildly sweet in taste.
• Vitamin C content is high.
• The amount of some antioxidants is high.
• The glycemic index (GI) score is low.

GI is a scale from 0 to 100 that measures how quickly foods increase blood sugar levels. A low GI score means that it is absorbed slowly into the blood. The average GI score of yellow bananas is 51, while the score of red bananas is close to 45. Apart from this, antioxidants, vitamin C and vitamin B6 are found in abundance in red bananas. Their consumption provides less calories, but the amount of fiber is high.

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Like the normal yellow bananas available in the market, red bananas also contain many types of essential nutrients. Red bananas are especially rich in potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and fiber.

The following nutrients are present in a small red banana (about 100 grams).

• Calories: 90 calories
• Carbs: 21 grams
• Protein: 1.3 grams
• Fat: 0.3 grams
• Fiber: 3 grams
• Potassium: 9 percent of the RDI
• Vitamin B6: 28 percent of the RDI
• Vitamin C: 9 percent of the RDI
• Magnesium: 8 percent of the RDI

You can easily get around 90 calories from a small red banana. It consists mostly of water and carbs. The high amount of vitamin B6, magnesium and vitamin C makes this banana especially nutritious.

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Red bananas are one of the best sources of fiber. About 3 grams of fiber can be obtained from a small red banana. The dietary fiber found in red bananas is considered very beneficial for the digestive system.

• Red banana improves regular bowel movement.
• Reduces the problem of inflammation in the intestine.
• Promotes the growth of bacteria friendly to the intestine.
• Apart from this, a high fiber diet can reduce the risk of inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBD). A study has revealed its surprising results.

A study conducted on 170,776 women found that the risk of Crohn's disease was found to be less than 40 percent in women taking a high fiber diet compared to a low fiber diet. In such a situation, it can be believed that red bananas can be very beneficial for the digestive system.

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Red bananas are rich in vitamin C and B6. Both these vitamins are very essential for maintaining a good immune system. You can get 9 percent vitamin C and 28 percent vitamin B6 from a small red banana.

Vitamin C boosts immunity by strengthening the cells of your immune system. Accordingly, some research suggests that even a slight deficiency of vitamin C can increase the risks of infection. In such a situation, you can protect yourself from this danger by consuming red bananas.

Apart from this, vitamin B6 found in red bananas also plays an important role in strengthening the immune system. Vitamin B6 deficiency reduces the production of white blood cells and immune antibodies in your body. It is important to note here that both are necessary to fight infection.

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Red bananas contain a pigment called carotenoids, which gives this fruit its red color. Two carotenoids found in red bananas - lutein and beta carotene, are considered very beneficial for the eyes.

Talking about lutein, it can help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is an incurable eye disease that can be the main cause of blindness in many people. A review of 6 studies conducted in this regard found that consuming lutein-rich foods can reduce the risk of age-related AMD by 26 percent.

On the other hand, beta carotene is considered very beneficial for the eyes. It is found most in red bananas compared to other species of bananas. Beta carotene can be converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is one of the most important vitamins for eye health.

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Red banana is a nutrient-rich fruit that offers many health benefits. It is rich in vitamin C, B6, and antioxidants, which strengthen immunity and improve skin health. The fiber present in red bananas improves the digestive system and relieves constipation. It is a good source of iron, which helps prevent anemia. The potassium present in it maintains heart health and controls blood pressure. Also, red bananas are helpful in balancing weight and providing energy. Its regular consumption strengthens bones and improves overall health.