Banana nutrition
Bananas are one of the most popular healthy snacking options to eat while on the go. Bananas are good for the pancreas because they are anti-inflammatory, easy to digest, rich in fiber and promote gut health and digestion.
Originated in the Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia, bananas are now grown in most tropical regions across the world, including South and Central America. This versatile fruit is one of the most popular healthy snacking options to eat while on the go. Over 500 varieties of bananas are grown around the world for their delicious taste and rich nutritional profile.
Table. The average nutrient content of one raw medium banana
Nutrients
Amount
Unit
Water
94.4
g
Energy
112
calories
Protein
1.37
g
Total Fats
0.416
g
Total Carbohydrates
28.8
g
Fiber
3.28
g
Sugars
15.4
g
Calcium, Ca
6.3
mg
Iron, Fe
0.328
mg
Magnesium, Mg
34
mg
Phosphorus, P
27.7
mg
Potassium, K
451
mg
Sodium, Na
1.26
mg
Zinc, Zn
0.189
mg
Copper, Cu
0.098
mg
Selenium, Se
1.26
µg
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid
11
mg
Thiamin (vitamin B1)
0.039
mg
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
0.092
mg
Niacin (vitamin B3)
0.838
mg
Vitamin B6
0.462
mg
Folate
25.2
µg
Vitamin B-12
0
µg
Vitamin A
3.78
µg
Carotene, beta
32.8
µg
Carotene, alpha
31.5
µg
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
0.126
mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)
0.63
µg
Saturated Fats
0.141
g
Monounsaturated Fats
0.04
g
Polyunsaturated Fats
0.092
g
Cholesterol
0
mg
Bananas are rich in several nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, so they confer various health benefits, such as
- Serves as an ideal post-workout snack
- Maintains heart health
- Boosts immunity
- Maintains muscle health
- Regulates appetite
- Helps manage weight
- Regulates blood pressure
- Maintains gut health and aid digestion
- Keeps bones healthy
- Helps reduce inflammation in the body
- Keeps cholesterol under check
- Acts as a good stress buster and helps elevate mood
- Helps get adequate and restful sleep
- Helps manage allergies
- Helps wound healing
- Maintains healthy red blood cell (RBC) levels
- Maintains healthy skin
Are bananas good for the pancreas?
The pancreas is an organ located in the upper left abdomen, behind the stomach. This organ serves several important functions, particularly regulating digestion and blood sugar levels. Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Acute pancreatitis is often life-threatening and demands urgent medical attention. Along with medical management, bananas are considered good for the pancreas due to their anti-inflammatory properties. However, if you have any underlying health condition, consult the doctor about how many bananas you can eat or whether you need to avoid them. Since bananas are easy to digest, rich in fiber and promote gut health and digestion, they are considered pancreas-friendly foods. Other foods that are considered good for the pancreas are
- Green leafy vegetables
- Other fruits, such as berries, pomegranates and grapes
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Whole grains
- Low-fat or non-dairy products, such as almond milk
Which foods are bad for the pancreas?
Certain foods are known to worsen pancreatic health conditions, especially pancreatitis. These foods make your pancreas work harder and exhaust it. They include
- Fried or fatty foods
- Red meat
- Organ meat
- Processed foods, such as pastries, chips, cookies and French fries
- High-fat dairy
- Butter
- Margarine
- Mayonnaise
- Sugary drinks, including sugary colas and sodas
Although they do not need to be completely avoided, foods such as nuts, fatty fish, avocados, seeds and olive oil must be consumed in moderation. If you have any other health conditions, your diet may be modified further. Ask your doctor what will work best for you.
