Whenever people come across someone skinny, the first advice that they give is to consume a lot of bananas with milk. On the other hand, if you’re on a diet and if you go to your nutritionist, she/he will also suggest that you eat at least one banana every day.

While some people believe that banana helps in gaining weight, others believe it helps in weight loss. The mystery remains unsolved whether it is a fruit for weight loss or gain.

Well, losing or gaining weight depends on how many bananas you eat. If you eat nothing but only bananas, then you will automatically lose weight. But if you eat your regular meals along with five to six bananas per day, then you will gain weight. Either way, eating bananas is beneficial for your health.

Ayurvedic View On Banana

We all are aware of the fact that an apple a day keeps a doctor away. However, Ayurveda has a different take on this. Ayurveda says, “Eating a banana daily will keep you away from all diseases.”

According to Ayurveda, banana balances the vata and pitta doshas. However, if not digested properly, it may lead to an increase in the kapha dosha. Ayurvedic texts, including Sushruta Samhita and Vasthu Guna Deepika, explain that banana balances the three humors i.e. doshas, and thereby, keeps the body cool. Another interesting fact about banana is that it can help fight obesity. At the same time, it also helps in building the muscles in the body. Ayurveda recommends that anemic people must consume bananas, which will help in increasing the hemoglobin count.

Bananas For Weight Loss

A single banana contains 108 calories, which is equal to almost 18 grams of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are essential for the smooth functioning of our body organs. However, an excess of carbohydrates can lead to weight gain.

Banana is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber that help in improving the basic metabolic rate i.e. BMR. Whenever the BMR increases, our bodies tend to lose weight automatically and usually faster than the normal time required. It also contains pectin that helps us feel fuller for a longer period.

Bananas have a low glycemic index, which helps in reducing weight. Most of the fruits are not rich in vitamin B6. However, bananas provide an adequate amount of vitamin B6 that helps in keeping our body healthy even after an intense workout. Research shows that the deficiency of vitamin B5 and folic acid may lead to several diseases related to the heart. Thus, eating bananas regularly helps prevent heart diseases. It also helps in controlling the blood sugar levels in the body.

Banana is sweet in taste, and thus, our taste buds (sweet tooth) are also satisfied with the intake of this fruit.

These properties of the banana prove it to be an ideal food for any weight loss program.

Types Of Bananas That Help In Weight Loss

There are a few types of bananas that help to lose weight faster. Such bananas, also known as baby bananas, are available in the US. They are generally short, but very rich in vitamin B6 and fiber.

Other types of bananas that help in weight loss are burro bananas, Cavendish bananas, red bananas, and plantain bananas. Cavendish bananas, also known as Chiquita, are available worldwide but are most popular in the US.

Bananas For Weight Gain

Bananas are rich in calories, and this is the reason eating bananas is considered an age-old method to gain weight. A six-inch banana contains almost 90-95 calories, which is very less than the amount of calories you consume after eating a small candy. The best way to incorporate banana in your regular diet for weight gain is to add it to smoothies or milkshakes. Since bananas are rich in vitamin B6, they help in regularizing blood circulation in our bodies. This leads to the production of more and healthy red blood cells in the body. Banana is rich in manganese that aids digestion, regulating bowel movements and preventing bone diseases. Most nutritionists suggest that to gain weight with the help of bananas, you need to eat a whole lot of bananas, and again, the weight gain depends on the metabolism and level of activity of your body. The reason is when you eat a banana, the natural sugar or the carbs are broken down into glucose instantly. This glucose is used for providing energy for physical activities. The extra glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles and is used whenever required. When the amount of glycogen stored exceeds its storage limit, it gets stored as fat.

However, dieticians also suggest that you must not eat more than five or six bananas a day as this could lead to constipation and can also slow down bowel movements.

Best Ways To Consume Banana

Banana is a delicious fruit, and there are many ways in which you can consume it.

• You can mix it with many other fruits and consume as a fruit salad.

• You can sprinkle a little black salt on bananas to make them taste yummy.

• You can also make a banana smoothie by blending it with low-fat yogurt.

• Another way to eat a banana is to either cut it into slices or mash it and add in your sandwich.

Now you know what makes banana so appealing, and why most of the people worldwide are going bananas over the banana diet. Hope you find this article useful. Share your views in the comments box below.

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by Jyotsana rao via STYLECRAZE