The Canary Island banana has become an essential food in our menu, thanks to its high nutritional density, rich in vitamins C and B6, it is the perfect ally when it comes to a healthy diet. In addition, this fruit helps us to avoid dehydration, to boost recovery after training and to control appetite. Undoubtedly, there are multiple benefits of the Canary Island banana that science supports to make it one of your great nutritional allies. Below, we detail why this food cannot be missing in your pantry. Take note runner!
Taking care of your diet is one of the basic pillars for all athletes. Basing our diet on foods rich in nutrients and taking care of what we eat will be essential to provide our body with the necessary energy for the day to day. The Canary Island banana is rich in minerals such as magnesium or potassium and is a fruit rich in fiber with an excellent antioxidant capacity.
5 benefits of the Canary Island banana backed by science
As Sandra Gervilla, nutritionist at Runnea Academy and graduate in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Lleida, pointed out in the post Why the Canary Island banana is the perfect fruit for runners? The banana is a fruit with a high nutritional density, that is, it provides many nutrients for the calories it has (between 55 and 109kcal depending on the size)".
These nutrients translate into improved intestinal transit and hydration levels, among others. Here are five benefits of bananas backed by science.
Maintaining hydration
As we always defend from Runnea, it is essential to hydrate frequently for the proper functioning of our body, but did you know that the Canary Island banana can influence factors such as dehydration? This solid food, rich in potassium, regulates the balance of the different body fluids during physical activity, helping to maintain correct hydration levels .
Improve intestinal transit
The Canary Island banana is a fruit rich in fiber and with an excellent antioxidant capacity and this translates directly into a benefit for our intestinal health. A correct source of fiber that fights against constipation, thus promoting a correct intestinal transit. A benefit that substantially improves digestion avoiding pain, inflammation and the uncomfortable feeling of bloating during the day to day.
Source of energy
The Canary Island banana is a food that has a high nutritional density, that is, it provides a large amount of nutrients in relation to the calories it has.
A source of energy recommended by different experts as fuel before training and as an indisputable recuperator after races.
In short, a source of essential nutrients to achieve maximum performance during our training routines of greater or lesser intensity.
Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
If there is one thing that characterizes the Canary Island banana, it is for being an indisputable source of potassium, a fundamental mineral for cardiovascular health. It helps reduce blood pressure and therefore significantly reduces the risk of suffering a cardiovascular disease.
Too much sodium can lead to a significant increase in blood pressure. "To reduce sodium intake, we can add foods rich in potassium (and low in sodium) to the diet, such as bananas," says Sandra Gervilla.
Immune protection
Including in our diet foods rich in certain micronutrients, such as vitamins C and D, is essential to strengthen our immune system, the body's natural barrier and defense against infections. For its part, the Canary Island banana is a food rich in vitamins C and B6, essential for the health of our metabolism.
For example, vitamin C deficiency causes weakness, infections or hemorrhages, hence the need to stock up on foods rich in these micronutrients. Vitamin B is essential for the correct functioning of enzymes, the proteins in charge of the different transformation processes.
- You may be interested in: Why is vitamin D and vitamin C so important during quarantine?
In summary
To the benefits of the Canary Island banana backed by science, we could also add that it is a food that will help you control your appetite and replace sugar in certain products. While it is true that it is an indispensable food in the pantry of a runner, scientists support it as a source of antioxidants, fiber and potassium, essential for a healthy lifestyle.
It helps us to avoid dehydration, improve intestinal transit and strengthen our immune system; the body's natural barrier and defense against infections. Undoubtedly, more than enough reasons to start including, if you do not do it already, the Canary Island banana as an indisputable food in our diet, don't you think runneantes?
Reference sources
- 10 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Bananas (Article published in Runners World), CLICK HERE.
- Images: Plátano de Canarias and Plátano de Canarias National Running Circuit.
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