Nutrition

The magic banana blend

Australian Bananas aren’t just delicious, they’re also extremely nutritious. In fact, if you sat down to design the perfect long-lasting energy snack, you’d be hard pressed to beat a banana. Because, unlike their super-processed, super-sugary competitors, bananas are bursting with goodness and nutrition to keep you full of energy all day long.

Bananas are packed with natural carbohydrates, vitamin B6 and potassium – a balanced blend of goodness that makes them ideal for restoring tired muscles and boosting bored brains. They’re also great for tuning up your nervous system by providing 13% of your daily B6 needs for nerve function. They, quite literally, make your body sing. It’s why you’ll often find elite athletes munching on a banana before, during, and after exercise.

 Potassium

Potassium is found mainly within body cells and plays a major role in ensuring normal cell function, proper nerve signals, heart beats and muscle contractions, as well as making sure nutrients are transported efficiently within the body. Research shows that a diet high in potassium and low in salt helps to keep blood pressure at normal levels and also reduces the risk of stroke. A banana will give you 9% of your daily potassium needs and has no salt (sodium).

 Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant vitamin and very important in the making of collagen, the connective tissue found in tendons, arteries, bone, skin and muscle. Vitamin C has other roles in the body, including the production of noradrenaline, which is a neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Like most fruit, bananas are a source of vitamin C.

 Carbohydrate

Bananas have long been a favourite with athletes and active people. That’s because the carbohydrate in a banana becomes glucose in the blood providing an excellent source of long lasting muscle energy. The carbohydrate will also help replace muscle fuel stores after exercise and that makes bananas a great recovery food. Wholesome carbohydrate sources also help keep blood sugar levels normal. So if you’re feeling a bit jaded mid-afternoon, simply grab a banana.

 Low GI

The Glycaemic Index (GI) is a measure of how much and how quickly blood sugar levels rise after eating a food. The average GI of bananas is 52 which is classified as low, meaning it’s great for lasting energy.

 Fibre

The fibre found in bananas helps keep you regular and prevent constipation, as well as protecting your intestines from diverticula disease and haemorrhoids. A medium banana has 2.2 g of fibre, which is 7% of your fibre needs for the day. If you have constipation, bananas included in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, without resorting to laxatives.

 Antioxidants

Bananas contain significant natural antioxidants that help keep us healthy. Research shows antioxidants help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and help protect nerve cells, which in turn could help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s Disease.

 Vitamin B

The B group of vitamins have a critical role in energy metabolism and are involved in many enzyme processes. One banana offers 13% of your B6 and 16% of your folate needs for the day.