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Are Red Bananas Good For You?

The most popular variety of bananas around the world is the Cavendish banana (the full-yellow large ones) but the red bananas are not far behind and are very popular in North American countries as well as in Asian countries. Red bananas are also gaining popularity in America with studies revealing the nutritional benefits of eating them; in fact it’s been found that red bananas are nutritionally superior to their yellow cousins. Red bananas are very good for you, and in this article we will tell you why.

Health Benefits of Red Bananas

Red bananas are a great source of Beta-carotene -  Its been found that red bananas contain more beta-carotene than any other variety of bananas.  The flesh of a red banana is a darker shade of yellow compared to the light creamy color of other bananas. This deep coloration is owing to high presence of pigment anti-oxidants like beta-carotene.

Health experts recommend a daily intake of beta-carotene, from fruits and vegetables, as this compound is very beneficial to the body. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin-A, in the body, and is essential for healthy skin, good eye-sight and strong immune system. Beta-carotene is a strong anti-oxidant and it helps prevent inflammation in the body while also protecting the arteries from thickening/hardening. It protects the body against the onset of cancer and heart diseases.

Red bananas are good for your kidney - These fruits are a rich source of potassium, a mineral which is essential for the healthy functioning of the body. Potassium, in the body, helps prevent the formation of kidney stones. It also helps in the retention of calcium, thus improving your bone health. Bananas in general are a great source of potassium, and red bananas are especially rich in this mineral.

A good source of vitamin C – A 99g red banana contains 15% of your daily recommended value of vitamin C. This vitamin is crucial in strengthening the immunity system as well as for fat metabolism.

Good source of dietary fiber – A red banana can provide close to 5% of your daily requirement of dietary fiber. In countries like India, it’s quite common to eat bananas after a lunch or dinner, to help aid with the proper excretion of the food. Bananas are recommended for people who have issues with their bowel movement or constipation.

Red bananas are good for your blood – It’s been found that red bananas can help improve your hemoglobin count and improve the quality of your blood thanks to the various vitamins and anti-oxidants present in this fruit. People suffering from anemia will benefit by eating a couple of red bananas on daily basis.

In Conclusion

Red bananas are more aromatic, and have a more delicious flavor, compared to the regular Cavendish bananas. It’s common to sense a raspberry flavor in the flesh of red bananas and they make for great fruit salads and ice-cream splits. Make sure you eat these fruits when their skin takes on a deep tint of red which would be indicative that the flesh is soft and creamy. If the bananas are unripe, they should be left at room temperature for a couple days and they should ripen for consumption.

Red bananas are really good for you as they offer several vital health benefits, so make sure you mix in these varieties along with your yellow bananas.