You're probably familiar with the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." And a leading expert in digestive and liver diseases has just confirmed that a banana a day can do the same!
What amazing health benefits do bananas offer?
In a recent social media post, Dr. Shubham Vatsya, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Fortis Hospital (India), explained why eating bananas every day helps improve both gut health and overall well-being, according to the Hindustan Times.
Supports gut health. Dr. Vatsya says bananas are an easily digestible and gut-friendly snack. They are high in resistant starch and prebiotic fiber, which helps nourish beneficial gut bacteria. These bacteria ferment the fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids that help repair the gut, reduce inflammation, and improve long-term gut health.
Eating bananas every day helps improve both gut health and overall health.
Photo: AI
A healthy gut is the core foundation of overall health, housing over 70% of the immune system and directly influencing metabolism. Through the gut-heart-brain axis, a balanced microbiome helps regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, prevent atherosclerosis, and produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which improve mood and reduce anxiety.
Controlling blood pressure. Bananas are a rich source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. This protects the cardiovascular system and prevents events such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney failure. This mechanism ensures stable blood flow to organs, preventing blood vessels from hardening or rupturing due to high pressure, thereby increasing lifespan and quality of life.
Bananas are also rich in antioxidants, which help reduce oxidative stress, neutralize free radicals, and protect cells and DNA from damage. This helps prevent chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegeneration), slows down the aging process, boosts immunity, improves skin health, and aids muscle recovery.
Furthermore, bananas are rich in both macronutrients and micronutrients, making them a perfect addition to a daily diet. They are also a good source of potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.
Therefore, one banana a day can offer many great health benefits, according to the Hindustan Times.