Banana is a food that helps you lose weight very effectively, but not everyone knows it.
* Increases intestinal microflora.
Once you start watching your weight, balancing your internal flora can kick-start your weight loss journey. Bananas do that by helping to get good bacteria into the stomach and helping our bodies prepare for weight loss.
Bananas are high in prebiotic fiber and have been shown to increase the number of bifidobacterium bacteria in the gut. Research shows that healthy levels of bifidobacterium bacteria can aid in weight loss and improve metabolic health.
* Bananas are the perfect fitness fuel.
A smart weight loss plan includes regular exercise and many fitness experts agree that bananas are an ideal fuel source for both pre- and post-workout. The reason: They are rich in glucose.
Easily digestible sugar not only provides optimal energy for your workout, but also quickly replenishes energy stores that are depleted during a sweaty workout.
Another reason is that bananas are rich in potassium, an electrolyte that helps prevent muscle cramps.
* Bananas help reduce appetite.
Before ripening, bananas are rich in something called resistant starch, which, as the name implies, resists the digestive process. This provides a source of healthy bacteria that live in your gut, producing compounds found to suppress appetite and lead to more efficient fat oxidation.
Since unripe bananas have a slightly bitter taste, we recommend adding them to smoothies with other fruits and vegetables to lessen the taste.
Green bananas also taste great in a yogurt parfait with cinnamon, raspberries, chopped nuts and a hint of honey.
* Bananas are good for the intestines and improve digestion.
Constantly feeling bloated? Reach for a banana. The fruit is a good source of prebiotic fiber, which helps feed good gut bacteria and improves digestion, the researchers say.
