Calories in a Banana

Banana is one of the most popular fruits among people all over the world. These fruits, which are grown on plants instead of trees, are believed to have first been found in Malaysia almost 4000 years ago. By the year 327 BC, it had reached countries like India and the Philippines. However, it was only after the year 1428 AD that bananas were introduced in the United States of America. With the introduction of export and import, bananas are being enjoyed by people all around the world today. Apart from the fact that bananas are a delicious fruit, it also contains many health benefits. The total amount of calories in a banana, along with its nutritional value are beneficial for the good health of human beings.

Calories in a Banana

The number of calories in a banana can be determined only by its size. The major source of calories in bananas come from carbohydrates. These carbohydrates contain sugar and starch, however, the level of sugar rises and that of starch lowers when the banana starts ripening. It has been found that more than half of the calories of a banana come from sugar, while the rest of the calories come from proteins and a little from fats. Moreover, because bananas contain lots of water and are free from saturated fat, they are really good for health. Here is a table that shows the total amount of calories in a banana, according to its size.

Banana	Weight	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Banana Calories
Medium-Sized Banana (with skin)	130 grams	1.1 grams	21 grams	0.27 grams	86 cals
Large Sized Banana (with skin)	170 grams	2 grams	39 grams	0.5 grams	162 calories
Average Sized Banana (without skin)	114 grams	1.4 grams	17.5 grams	0.2 grams	108 calories

The calories in a banana provides our body with the energy required for performing daily activities. Body builders, athletes, and those who work out to remain fit are recommended to eat at least one banana an hour before they start their exercise regime. Even a single banana can give them the energy to work out continuously for more than ninety minutes. As bananas contain very less fat, they are also a necessary food item for people who want to lose weight.

Banana Nutrition Facts

Along with the calorie content, another positive aspect of bananas is that they are rich in nutritional value. Bananas are packed with essential vitamins and minerals like potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, B6, fiber as well as iron. Due to its high nutritional value, consumption of bananas help in prevention of many diseases or health problems. The presence of potassium in bananas helps in maintaining normal blood pressure and proper functioning of the heart. As bananas have a high content of fiber, they help in cleansing the digestive system and improving the problem of excretion. It is recommended to people who have constipation problems, and also to those who are suffering from diarrhea. When one has diarrhea, eating a banana would help in restoring the electrolytes and fluids that are lost from the body. Some other health benefits of eating banana everyday include-

• Eyesight protection
• Prevention of anemia
• Prevention of kidney problems
• Help to quit smoking
• Treating heart burn
• Curing ulcers
• Relieves stress
• Reduces the risk of having a stroke
• Reducing depression
• Healthy bones

Plantain bananas which are also called red bananas possess calories and nutrition the same as the normal bananas. Though they look just like the normal bananas, they cannot be eaten raw. They have to be cooked by steaming, roasting or boiling, before consumption.

Now that you know about banana calories and nutrition, you must have surely realized the importance of inculcating bananas in your daily diet. The calories in a banana are essential for gaining energy and staying healthy. Consuming bananas daily lowers a person's risk of getting affected by an host of health problems and diseases.