A recently published study from researchers at the Appalachian State University Human Performance Laboratory at the North Carolina Research Campus concludes that bananas consumed during exercise provide the same amount of energy as sports drinks, but at just a fraction of the cost.
Bananas vs. Sports Drinks as Energy Source for Athletes: First-of-its-kind study finds that bananas provide equal performance, more nutrients and no artificial ingredients versus the most popular sports drinks – at about 1/3 of the price! The study was funded through a grant provided by the Dole Food Company of Westlake Village, Calif.
The study reinforced that bananas provide what sports drinks don't: the added boost of improved blood antioxidant capacity and the vitamins, minerals and fiber needed by athletes to maintain their performance. "In general, ingestion of bananas before and during prolonged and intensive exercise is an effective strategy, both in terms of fuel substrate utilization and cost, for supporting performance," concludes the study.
But bananas can do so much more too.
Here are nine more health benefits that eating bananas can give:
1. Preventing anemia - thanks to a high iron content
2. Relieving constipation thanks to a high fibre content. Conversely, they can also replace
the electrolytes that the body loses during a bout of diarrhea.
3. Reducing the risk for stroke - by as much as 40% according to research.
4. Helping you to kick the smoking habit. Bananas contain B vitamins and potassium and
magnesium, which are all useful in helping the body to cope with nicotine withdrawal.
5. Improving your mood. Bananas contain tryptophan, which the body converts into
serotonin, a neurotransmitter that aids relaxation and makes you feel happier.
6. Preventing high blood pressure, thanks to a high potassium and low salt content.
7. Makes you brainier. A study of 200 schoolchildren in England showed that eating
bananas boosted alertness and assisted learning.
8. Relieves a hangover. Try a banana milkshake with honey for a morning after cure. The
banana calms the stomach and the honey and banana combination help replace
depleted blood sugar levels.
9. Bananas help keep sugar levels up and ward off morning sickness.
So if you want to keep the doctor away - for sure don't throw away your apples - but maybe add a banana a day for good measure.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/ten-health-reasons-to-eat-bananas-5952984.html
About the Author
Angela Lovell is a freelance writer based in the heart of the Canadian Prairies in Manitoba.
Her writing is largely focusing on agriculture, the global food system,the environment and climate change and the influence these inter-related processes have on our societies, economic systems and future sustainability.
Bananas vs. Sports Drinks as Energy Source for Athletes: First-of-its-kind study finds that bananas provide equal performance, more nutrients and no artificial ingredients versus the most popular sports drinks – at about 1/3 of the price! The study was funded through a grant provided by the Dole Food Company of Westlake Village, Calif.
The study reinforced that bananas provide what sports drinks don't: the added boost of improved blood antioxidant capacity and the vitamins, minerals and fiber needed by athletes to maintain their performance. "In general, ingestion of bananas before and during prolonged and intensive exercise is an effective strategy, both in terms of fuel substrate utilization and cost, for supporting performance," concludes the study.
But bananas can do so much more too.
Here are nine more health benefits that eating bananas can give:
1. Preventing anemia - thanks to a high iron content
2. Relieving constipation thanks to a high fibre content. Conversely, they can also replace
the electrolytes that the body loses during a bout of diarrhea.
3. Reducing the risk for stroke - by as much as 40% according to research.
4. Helping you to kick the smoking habit. Bananas contain B vitamins and potassium and
magnesium, which are all useful in helping the body to cope with nicotine withdrawal.
5. Improving your mood. Bananas contain tryptophan, which the body converts into
serotonin, a neurotransmitter that aids relaxation and makes you feel happier.
6. Preventing high blood pressure, thanks to a high potassium and low salt content.
7. Makes you brainier. A study of 200 schoolchildren in England showed that eating
bananas boosted alertness and assisted learning.
8. Relieves a hangover. Try a banana milkshake with honey for a morning after cure. The
banana calms the stomach and the honey and banana combination help replace
depleted blood sugar levels.
9. Bananas help keep sugar levels up and ward off morning sickness.
So if you want to keep the doctor away - for sure don't throw away your apples - but maybe add a banana a day for good measure.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/ten-health-reasons-to-eat-bananas-5952984.html
About the Author
Angela Lovell is a freelance writer based in the heart of the Canadian Prairies in Manitoba.
Her writing is largely focusing on agriculture, the global food system,the environment and climate change and the influence these inter-related processes have on our societies, economic systems and future sustainability.
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