If you have ever wondered about the goodness of bananas wonder no more. This yellow-skinned fruit offers several advantages which often go unmentioned or are overlooked.
Not only are bananas a healthy and fulfilling snack, they have a host of other benefits like enhancing skin appearance and improving vocal chords. But watch out, eating too many in one day is not a good idea.
In an article published on Health For Mzansi, registered dietitian Jandri Barnard warns that overconsumption can lead to a world of problems as the high levels of naturally occurring sugars can be tricky to navigate.
Packed with the good stuff
“Bananas are a rich source of potassium, with one medium-sized banana containing 358 – 422mg of potassium,” she says.
Eating too many bananas she says causes bloating, stomach cramps, and soft stool, Barnard cautions.
Barnard is also the spokesperson for the Association of Dietetics in South Africa. And according to her, one to two bananas per day is considered a moderately healthy intake for most healthy adults.
According to Barnard, other lurking side-effects of an excessive intake of bananas include:
High blood sugar: Too much of a good thing can impact your health, she says. “Your blood sugar will spike, being a danger to someone with diabetes. Banana consumption is not recommended daily for diabetics. Also opt for the starchier, less ripe banana.”
Nerve damage: The overconsumption of bananas can lead to the development of hyperkalemia, which is a condition that can impair the function of nerve and muscle cells. “But your intake would need to be extremely high to be able to reach such high levels. They are rich in vitamin B6, and excess consumption can lead to nerve damage,” she says.
This article was written by Vateka Halile and originally published on Health For Mzansi.
Read full article here.
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