Not only does it taste delicious, the benefits of horn bananas are also not small. Various nutritional content in bananas, which are often processed into fried bananas, are actually good for health, ranging from increasing endurance to maintaining the digestive tract.
Horn bananas are easy to find in tropical countries, including Indonesia. Different from bananas in general, banana horn has a less sweet taste and a denser texture. Therefore, this fruit is often processed into various dishes, ranging from fried bananas, steamed bananas, or banana sponge cakes.
Nutritional Content of Banana Horn
In 100 grams of bananas, there are about 120-150 calories and a variety of the following nutrients:
- 30 grams of carbohydrates
- 1.3–1.5 grams of protein
- 0.2–0.3 grams fat
- 2 grams of fiber
- 450 milligrams of potassium
- 35–40 milligrams of magnesium
- 0.5 milligrams of iron
- 30 milligrams of phosphorus
- 20 milligrams of vitamin C
- 60 micrograms of vitamin A
Banana horns also contain a variety of other nutrients, such as selenium, zinc, B vitamins, vitamin K, as well as antioxidant compounds, such as flavonoids, lutein, and carotene.
Benefits of Banana Horn for Health
Thanks to its abundant nutritional content, it's no wonder that horn bananas have a myriad of health benefits. The following are some of the benefits of cooking bananas for health:
1. Smooth digestion
Banana horn is rich in fiber which plays an important role in digestion and makes stools softer, so it is good for preventing and overcoming constipation.
The fiber content in bananas is also good for reducing the risk of hemorrhoids and diverticulitis. Not only that, horn bananas also have prebiotic properties so they are beneficial for a healthy digestive tract.
2. Control blood sugar
Banana horn is one type of fruit that is good for controlling blood sugar because it has a low glycemic index. This means, bananas do not trigger a drastic increase in blood sugar levels. Because of these benefits, this fruit is good for consumption by people with type 2 diabetes.
However, to get the benefits of this one, you should choose ripe bananas because the glycemic index is lower than raw ones.
3. Keep blood pressure stable
The next benefit of bananas is to control blood pressure. Banana horn is rich in potassium, fiber, and antioxidants that play a role in lowering blood pressure.
In addition, bananas are also low in sodium so they can prevent an increase in blood pressure and maintain heart health. Thanks to these benefits, bananas are good for consumption by people who suffer from hypertension.
4. Maintain body immunity
A strong immune system plays an important role in preventing disease, especially infectious diseases.
To keep the body's immunity strong, you are advised to eat more foods that contain protein, vitamins, and minerals. Intake of these nutrients can be obtained from horn bananas.
5. Meet the nutritional intake of pregnant women
Banana horn is also a good choice of fruit for pregnant women and fetuses. The content of vitamin A, vitamin B, protein, folate, and iron in bananas is known to be good for meeting the nutritional needs of pregnant women and fetuses, as well as reducing the risk of premature labor and birth defects.
6. Prevent anemia
Anemia is a condition when the number of red blood cells in the body is reduced, resulting in insufficient oxygen intake. This disease can make the sufferer easily tired and difficult to concentrate, and the immune system is weakened.
To prevent and treat anemia, you are advised to eat nutritious foods that contain folate and iron, such as bananas.
7. Lose weight
For those of you who are on a diet program, bananas can be a good food choice for consumption. This is because bananas contain complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals.
These various ingredients are good for meeting your nutritional needs while on a diet, as long as they are not consumed in excessive amounts, while making you feel full longer. Thus, the urge to snack or eat more can be reduced.
However, not only by eating bananas, you also need to exercise regularly and limit the intake of fatty and high-calorie foods to maintain or lose weight.
Although the benefits of bananas are so many, you still have to pay attention to cleanliness and how to process them. Choose a banana that is still in good condition and doesn't look rotten. This fruit should also be processed by steaming, roasting, boiling, or made into juice.
To meet your daily nutritional needs, you also need to eat a variety of other nutritious foods, not only bananas. If you have questions about the benefits of bananas for health, you can consult a doctor.