Bananas
Have you ever noticed the foods that athletes keep during practices and matches?
Bananas are usually at the top of that list. But why bananas, and not just any and every fruit? In other words, what is so special about the banana that athletes and gym enthusiasts always have one in their kit?
The answer is simple. Bananas are one of the best ways to gain quick and sustained energy. In fact, they have often been called the 'perfect food' because they are rich in nutrients like potassium, zinc, iron, folic acid, calcium, Vitamin B6, and soluble fibre.
To be used as fuel, our system converts all foods into simple carbohydrates or sugars. This procedure takes up a lot of energy. That is why you feel tired after having a particularly large and heavy meal; it's because your body is working overtime in trying to digest the food! The carbohydrates in ripened bananas are already in their most basic form, making them easy to digest with minimal energy loss.
In bananas, there are two types of sugars-glucose and fructose. Glucose is the sugar that is the easiest to digest. It quickly enters your bloodstream and can be used to provide a burst of energy. Because fructose is absorbed more slowly, it provides a longer-lasting source of energy. Thus, you get quick besides long-lasting energy... a double win!
Moreover, potassium is necessary for normal muscular function. The lack of it leads to muscle cramps, weariness, and dehydration. Bananas provide the dense, readily available carbohydrates required to replenish muscle glycogen (muscle sugar) lost during exercise.
Thus, bananas are a perfect food for before, during or after any physical activity.
So, have you had your daily dose of bananas today?
