Thursday 19 July 2012

Health Benefits of a Banana Breakfast Shake



Health Benefits of a Banana Breakfast Shake

Eating a nutritious breakfast fuels you for the start of your day and prevents you from overeating at other meals. As a result, it's an essential part of a healthy diet. Breakfast shakes provide a healthy and convenient means to grab breakfast, especially when you're on the run. A banana breakfast shake offers critical nutrients and can be high in protein.
Minerals

Bananas are a good source of potassium, an electrolyte essential in heart functioning and muscle contraction. A 1-cup serving of mashed bananas has 806 milligrams of potassium. Adults need 4,700 milligrams of potassium per day, but the average American consumes far less. Bananas are also high in iron and help the production of hemoglobin. Potassium and iron help to provide energy and reduce fatigue, which is why this mineral is especially important for breakfast. If you include milk in your banana shakes, you add another good source of potassium and iron.




Vitamins

Bananas are high in vitamin C and vitamin B-6. A medium-sized banana has 17 percent of your daily requirements of vitamin C and 22 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin B-6. Vitamin B-6 helps with protein metabolism and many other enzyme functions. Vitamins, such as the B vitamins and vitamin C, improve mental function, which can help you as you first start your day. Adding non-fat milk to your banana breakfast shake increases the vitamin content. Most milk is fortified with vitamin D. One cup of fortified milk has 98 international units of vitamin D. Adults up to age 70 should consume 600 international units of vitamin D per day.

Protein and Amino Acids

Bananas contain all eight essential amino acids, the ones your body cannot produce. One of the amino acids found in bananas is tryptophan, a chemical that becomes serotonin and helps you feel happier. Although bananas contain less than three grams of protein, other ingredients in a banana breakfast shake provide you with protein. Milk or other dairy products, for example, boost the protein content significantly. A 1-cup serving of nonfat milk has over 9 grams of protein. Adult women should consume 46 grams of protein per day, while adult men need 56 grams of protein per day. Because protein can help stabilize your blood sugar and keep you feeling fuller longer than carbohydrates, it is an ideal ingredient for your breakfast.

Fiber

A medium banana has 2.7 grams of fiber. Adults and children should eat at least 20 grams of fiber per day from dietary sources. However, the average American eats only 15 grams of fiber per day. Eating a diet high in fiber helps reduce the risk of developing various diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and constipation. Eating a breakfast high in fiber can help you stay full until lunch time. It will also help you with regular bowel movements.


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