It’s the bicycle rider’s best friend, a potassium pipeline that instantly picks up a sagging pumper. It’s a diarrhea sufferer’s ally, a soothing substance that may stop what you most want stopped and help replace what you’ve lost. It helps to replace electrolytes, the very tiny electrical charges needed to power the body and maintain fluid balance. It’s a helping hand against high blood pressure that may help keep your numbers low.
Bananas are one of the most popular and widely eaten fruits in the world, yet the majority of people are likely unaware of just how effective and beneficial consumption of them can be.
A medium-sized banana contains just 105 calories, making it an ideal healthy and guilt-free snack at any point in the day. While the majority of these calories come from carbohydrates, and in particular sugar, this is not a cause for concern.
The natural sugar fructose, found in fruits, is much better for you than the sucrose in table sugar. Bananas are relatively low on the glycemic index, meaning that they will provide slow-releasing energy over a sustained period, rather than processed sugars which can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate rapidly.
Great for athletes and sportsmen
This naturally has a benefit for athletes and sportsmen, who need to have high stores of energy to perform at their optimum level. When you perform physical activity your body uses glycogen, a form of carbohydrate, to fuel your muscles.
Eating sources of carbohydrates will increase exercise endurance and they are generally more effective than using fats or protein as the basis for energy, making bananas an ideal fuel source to enable people to perform harder and for longer.
Consuming a banana before a workout or match/training can be ideal to prevent the negative effects of low blood sugar levels which can lead to fatigue. The relatively low GI of bananas means that blood sugar levels will rise gradually and give a sustained source of energy rather than a spike followed by a crash as some other sources of carbohydrate could cause. After eating one you should wait a short while at least half an hour ― at least half an hour ― before exercising or playing sports for maximum effect.
They also make a great post-workout snack. Their natural sugars are used to rebuild muscle glycogen stores, your muscles’ main energy source, to make sure energy levels are not depleted and your body can perform at a high level for the next workout. Combined with some protein to help repair muscle tissue this can make an effective snack after strenuous exercise such as resistance training.
Cheap yet full of vitamins and minerals
Bananas also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, with a host of health benefits to those with an active lifestyle. These include a range of B vitamins, manganese, vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber. They are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium. Bananas are a very good source of vitamin B6, providing 25% of the RDA in a single serving
An average banana contains around 12% of the recommended daily allowance of potassium, considerably more than the majority of other fruits including apples and oranges. Potassium is essential for muscle, brain and nerve function, as well as lowering blood pressure due to vasodilation effects and giving protection against loss of muscle mass. Increased potassium intake combined with low sodium is also an important factor in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin C consumption has been linked to a reduction in cancer-causing free radicals, consumption of fiber can improve digestive health and a study at Imperial College London even found that children eating just one banana a day had 34% less chance of getting asthma!
All in all bananas are cheap, tasty, available year-round and have a host of benefits both health-wise and in terms of sporting performance. Adding them to your diet is easy and above all a smart move!
.
© Edublox
Reading and learning made easy –
“It’s been six months … and already she is one of the top performers in her class”
I was told that my daughter would never make it in a mainstream school and that she had to be transferred to a remedial school... She is getting 6's and 7's and she is in mainstream school. Continue Reading
Zan’s Mom, South Africa Edublox Online Tutor December 21, 2013
Dyslexia case study presented at Kennesaw State University
The Edublox Program has given hope to a child who knew he was different, tried to fit in with his peers, and experienced failures in any aspects of school. His newly found confidence has allowed him to raise his hand in a classroom, dared him to try written material presented to him, and opened a world of "I can" instead of "I can't" on new material. Continue Reading
Carole Derrick, Primary Grades Teacher Edublox Online Tutor June 24, 2015
“His English has jumped from 42% to 58%; he is writing compositions that bring tears to my eyes”
Preneil was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of thirteen. His mother shares her son's progress after joining Edublox. Read the full story. Continue Reading
Devigi Pillay, South Africa Edublox Online Tutor January 26, 2016
“My dyslexic son doesn’t seem to be dyslexic anymore”
I never thought I would be writing this statement, but my dyslexic son doesn't seem to be dyslexic anymore! The symptoms have all disappeared. After all I've read on the subject of learning difficulties, this was not supposed to happen! Continue Reading
Laura Trudel, Canada Edublox Online Tutor November 12, 2016
“A program that truly stands up to [its] promises and offers hope to those who struggle”
We just received his first semester report card and I am so excited to say that he received an “A” in both English and Math. Continue Reading
Teresa M., California, US Edublox Online Tutor November 28, 2016
“He is devouring books at a rapid rate”
Six months ago reading a book was tortuous for him because even if he read it his reading was so faltering and full of mistakes that he couldn’t comprehend the text. Continue Reading
Abi Stinson, UK Edublox Online Tutor November 29, 2016
“After six weeks the improvements were very obvious”
The most noticeable improvement came with Math, because we were struggling trying to do his math at grade level (3rd grade), but then around six weeks into Edublox he could do his math at grade level (with the exception of telling time on a face clock and counting money). Continue Reading
Cindy B., Michigan, US Edublox Online Tutor December 1, 2016
“His reading age went up by 2 years in less than 6 months”
His spelling age improved as well and he also did really well in the end of year exams with his best results in most subjects. Continue Reading
Jenny & Greg, UK Edublox Online Tutor December 6, 2016
“In the first 9 weeks of school they have increased over 2 1/2 years”
Phonics just did not work. Last year they did not improve in their reading level all year. We started Edublox in June and already in the first 9 weeks of school they have increased over 2 1/2 years.... Their spelling has greatly improved and learning new words has become a game, not the dreaded chore it once was. Continue Reading
Nita Brist, Washington State, US Edublox Online Tutor December 11, 2016
“I feel as if part of my daughter’s mind was trapped, and Edublox set her free”
She is now almost an intuitive speller. Really, it's a miracle. Six months ago, her spelling tested at a Kindergarten level, and is now at a 6th grade level. This is just still so amazing to all of us who have struggled with her. Continue Reading
The Adams household in New Mexico Edublox Online Tutor December 15, 2016