DIETICIAN STRESSES ON NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND HEALTH BENEFIT OF BANANA
 


A dietician at the Garki Hospital, Abuja, Miss Yemisi Olowookere has described the consumption of banana as very ideal for the maintenance of normal blood pressure and heart function.
 
Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday 20th May 2014, that bananas were the best source of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function.

According to her, a medium sized banana provides 350g of potassium which helps the body to maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balances in the cells.
 
She remarked that ''Bananas help restore normal bowel activity, rich in non digestible fibres, help with constipation and diarrhoea and normalise the colon's function to absorb large amounts of water for regular bowel movements.


The dietician maintained that Bananas have long been recognised for their antacid effects that protect against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage. They also help to neutralise acidity, a great way to get rid of heart burn.
 
``Bananas are a perfect baby food. They are the best solid food to introduce to infants. A mashed ripe banana is an extremely simple and healthy baby food,’’ she said.

Olowookere futher explained that bananas were easy to digest and rarely cause allergic reactions and could be recommended for children recovering from gastrointestinal problems particularly diarrhoea.
                 
According to her, the dietary fibre component in banana pulp has cholesterol-lowering effect and also promotes an overall improvement of the functional efficiency of kidneys.
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