Bananas are super healthy as they are packed with many essential nutrients.
They are a superfood packed with vitamin B6, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and manganese. This makes bananas one of the healthiest foods that aid in preventing a wide range of diseases.
It is a versatile fruit that makes our breakfast in a number of ways. From smoothies to cookies, shakes to chips, the wide range of banana dishes makes it one of the most common breakfast options. Not to forget that many people are simply in love with the fruit. Thanks to its high nutrition profile, great taste, ease to peel, and affordability.
There is no doubt that adding bananas to your diet is a healthy move. But is it healthy to have a banana first thing in the morning? Breakfast is considered to be the most crucial meal of the day. It is the meal that wakes us up from the inside by providing energy to last the day till lunchtime.
When it comes to a burst of energy, a sugar rush is not ideal. So, do bananas give us a sugar rush?
Also Read: Health Benefits of Banana Blossoms
What do experts say?
Bananas are 25% sugar and have a pH of about 5. While ripe bananas are alkaline in nature, unripe bananas are acidic. That amount of sugar first thing in the morning causes a sugar rush. Owing to this, after the consumption of bananas, people tend to feel energetic but soon get drained of energy. This causes fatigue and sluggishness.
Also, the sudden rush in the sugar levels can cause a spike in blood sugar levels that is not good for patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. While eating bananas alone is not a good idea, eating them before breakfast or a meal is a good idea. It helps get the essential potassium and fiber from bananas, pairing it with an acid neutralizer is the best option.
Also, as bananas are acidic in nature, consuming them on an empty stomach might cause bowel issues. The high magnesium content in bananas can also disturb the balance between calcium and magnesium in the blood resulting in an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system.
Also Read: 10 Amazing Breakfast Recipes for Diabetics
Can Bananas cause weight gain?
There is no scientific research that proves bananas specifically can cause weight gain. Bananas are low in calories and have very minimal fat content.
Snacking on bananas is considered a good way of cutting down the habit of consuming processed foods. Celebs, who are trying to lose weight, often are recommended to snack on bananas by their health experts. The naturally sweet taste of the fruit reduces the cravings for processed foods like cakes, cookies, etc.
Bananas are high in fiber although they have low protein content. The fiber in bananas makes them a good agent in eliminating toxins from the gut. Thus, they volunteer to improve their bowel movements. It also keeps you fuller for longer thus curbing your hunger pangs and unhealthy binges.
But bananas should not be consumed on an empty stomach. Pairing bananas with dry fruits help to cut off the acidic nature of the fruit. Nuts like cashews, almonds, walnuts, etc. are mostly alkaline in nature.
If you are trying to lose weight the overall calorie intake should be maintained.
Also Read: Why you should never skip your breakfast?
Is eating bananas a healthy option for diabetics?
Bananas have 25% of natural sugars in them. They do not cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels in a healthy individual. However, diabetics should practice caution while eating this fruit as it might cause a considerable spike in blood sugar levels.
Consuming too many bananas in one go is also not be ideal for a diabetic. And it is absolutely, not advisable for a diabetic patient to consume bananas on an empty stomach. Because the sudden spike of sugar levels in the bloodstream might be harmful to a diabetic.
Bananas in place of sugars
Bananas are an excellent replacement for unhealthy sugars.
Due to its natural sweetness, bananas aid in adding that touch of sweetness and creaminess to any sweet dish.
Talking about breakfast, adding bananas to smoothie bowls and protein shakes are really healthy options to start the day. The fat-reducing foods combined with bananas produce a meal that is rich in all the essential nutrients minus the fat and sugars. One can also, add bananas in baking in place of sugars.
The antioxidant nature of this berry is a cherry on top for people trying to detoxify their bodies. This promotes good heart and gut health.
Your Takeaway!
Bananas are really a cheap, easy, and healthy option. It is versatile and can be paired with anything to give you a good boost of energy for the day. In addition to that, bananas contain tryptophan, they are rich in potassium and magnesium too. Studies say that they can help treat sleep-related problems. This happy fruit is also an excellent remedy for depression, anxiety, headaches, colds, and even hangovers. Thus, striking out bananas completely from your breakfast routine is not a wise idea.
Just make sure that bananas are not the only things that you are feeding on!
