Bananas are very nutritious. In addition to containing starch, protein, sugar, pectin, and various vitamins, they also contain multiple minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron.
The "banana diet craze" that recently swept Japan and South Korea has now spread to China, with many weight-loss enthusiasts rushing to follow suit. In response, Professor Liu Fengbin, Director of the Gastroenterology Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, pointed out that although bananas are quite nutritious, they do not contain a complete range of vitamins and minerals needed by the human body. If bananas are used as a staple meal for weight loss over a long period, it can easily lead to nutritional imbalance and may even cause anemia or other diseases.
Disadvantages:
Eating bananas for weight loss may harm the spleen and stomach.
"Eating bananas with plain water for breakfast and eating normally for lunch and dinner will lead to weight loss." This is said to be the popular Japanese banana diet. According to reports, Japanese actress Miko Mori experienced this diet and lost seven kilograms in a month and a half, causing an immediate sensation. Followers of this diet method have analyzed that bananas are not high in calories; a 100-gram banana is said to contain only 87 calories, while a 100-gram bowl of white rice contains about 150 calories. Therefore, using bananas as a staple food results in lower calorie intake. Moreover, eating a few bananas with water for breakfast can make the stomach feel full, and eating two more bananas after lunch can enrich the enzymes in the stomach, speeding up digestion so that the normally consumed lunch and dinner will not accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract and increase fat.
In response, Professor Liu believes that the practice of using bananas and water to create a bloated feeling should not be promoted. "In a sense, this bloated state of not wanting to eat is a kind of pathological condition, and the gastrointestinal tract will not feel comfortable," he pointed out. He noted that while some people believe bananas are not high in calories, it depends on the amount consumed. Eating only one or two a day is not a big problem. But if you eat five or six a day, setting aside the calorie issue, many people with a weak spleen and stomach or poor digestive function might not be able to tolerate it. "We usually have a thick layer of tongue coating after eating bananas because they are cold-natured and heavy in moisture," Professor Liu pointed out. Therefore, those who want to try this "banana diet" should first consider their own gastrointestinal health and not let their spleen and stomach suffer needlessly.
Furthermore, eating bananas on an empty stomach for a long time is not only unfavorable for stomach acid secretion but can also cause anemia due to overly monotonous nutrient intake. For people with acute or chronic nephritis or renal insufficiency, this weight loss method is absolutely contraindicated. Because bananas contain a relatively high amount of potassium salt, excessive consumption can increase the burden on kidney function, delay the improvement of the condition, and may even lead to a worsening of the disease. Additionally, bananas are rich in starch and sugar, so diabetics should also pay attention to their intake to avoid abnormal blood sugar levels that can trigger diseases.
Advantages:
Eating bananas in moderation can prevent multiple diseases.
"It is undeniable that bananas are very nutritious. In addition to containing starch, protein, sugar, pectin, and various vitamins, they also contain multiple minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron," Professor Liu pointed out. Eating bananas appropriately in daily life can help prevent the following diseases:
Can treat constipation: Eating one or two bananas when constipated can help relieve bowel movements. Because bananas are rich in pectin, they can help regulate gastrointestinal function, promote digestion, and have a laxative effect.
Helps lower blood pressure: The potassium in bananas has an inhibitory effect on sodium in the body. Patients with high blood pressure can help lower their blood pressure by eating one or two bananas daily, according to their physical condition.
Relieves depression: The medical community recognizes that bananas have a certain therapeutic effect on insomnia or emotional distress. It is said that bananas contain a substance called "serotonin," which can have a calming and sedative effect. Therefore, people suffering from depression are sometimes advised by doctors to eat some bananas in moderation.