Bananas are grown in over 100 countries worldwide, making them the fourth most valuable crop around the world. Eating bananas provide the body with a wide variety of health benefits because it is rich in potassium, magnesium, vitamins B6 and C, and pectin, a type of fiber.
They are also one of the healthiest snacks with the right sweetness, making people forget how many nutrients they are getting. So, what would eating two bananas every day do to the body?
Is Eating 2 Bananas a Day Bad for You?
What's in a Banana?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming 400g or five servings of fruits and vegetables every day to help ensure adequate dietary fiber every day. Adding eating bananas to the routine boosts intake of whole fruit and promote overall health.
They are a good source of several vitamins and minerals that helps people achieve the daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and contain compounds that reduce stress and inflammation. According to Healthline, a medium-sized, fresh banana provides the following nutrients:
- Calories
- Carbs
- Fiber
- Fat
- Protein
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B6
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Magnesium
ALSO READ: Why Bananas Should Not Be a Part of Your Daily Diet
Health Benefits of Eating Two Bananas Every Day
Most people do not realize the importance of potassium to the body. According to doctors, this mineral is one of the critical nutrients that the body needs because it generates the electrical charge needed to function properly. According to a food website called The Original by David, bananas make a big dent in the RDA for potassium as it contains up to 900 mg of potassium.
Adults need 3,500-4,700mg per day of potassium and eating even one banana can significantly contribute to the RDA. Other sources of potassium are white beans, potatoes, beets, watermelon, and tomato sauce.
Meanwhile, Live Science enumerated some of the health benefits of eating two bananas every day. These benefits are the following:
- Aid in digestion and weight loss
- Replenish electrolytes during exercise
- Keep bones strong
- Protective against cancer
- Good for heart health
- Promote better sleep and good mental health
Can You Eat Too Many Bananas?
Bananas eaten in moderation do not have any significant side effects. However, consuming too much could lead to headaches due to the amino acids that dilate blood vessels, contribute to sleepiness due to the high amount of tryptophan and magnesium, and too much potassium could cause hyperkalemia.
Eating two bananas every day is a healthy option for most people, but those who take beta-blockers for heart disease should be careful as it raises potassium levels. Also, diabetics shouldn't consume bananas twice a day due to their sugar content.
NIH said that consuming 500 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily could lead to nerve damage in the arms and legs. The good news, though, is that it would take eating thousands of bananas for a person to be overdosed and reach that level of vitamin B6.
RELATED ARTICLE: Consuming Potassium Rich Foods Better For You Than Low Salt Diet
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