Why don’t bananas ever get lonely? Do you know? It’s because they hang around in bunches, of course. Since 2017, the third Wednesday of April has been designated as National Banana Day. For 2023, April 19th is Banana Celebration Day.
We all know that bananas are a tasty sweet fruit with a yellow peel but, you may not realize the great nutritional benefits available in this conveniently packaged food. Think about it, easy to peel, lightweight, needing no cooking or refrigeration, bananas are certainly something to be celebrated. Bananas are naturally almost fat free and one medium sized ripe banana provides approximately 110 calories making them a healthy food option. Although a banana contains around 28 grams of carbohydrates and 15 grams of sugar, the fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins also found in the fruit offer many health benefits. Bananas have about 3 grams of fiber to help combat colorectal cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes.
Are you surprised that eating bananas can help with diabetes? Bananas are a healthier source of carbohydrates than some other foods and can often be used as a substitute. Just keep in mind that the American Diabetes Association recommends consuming fruit in moderation, this includes bananas. They also advise eating under ripe or greener bananas because they have a lower glycemic index. Eating a banana supplies you with almost 450 milligrams of potassium and 32 milligrams of magnesium which is almost 10% of the daily recommended intake for adults. Potassium is essential for proper functioning of the heart, kidneys, muscles and nerves. Magnesium is involved in bodily processes like building proteins, maintaining bone, muscle and nerve function, and blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Bananas are often eaten after physical work-outs because they contain potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates which help replenish lost fluids, nutrients, etc.
Perhaps you’re wondering about the origin of this super food. Bananas were imported from Asia to Africa and eventually spread to Europe, the Caribbean, America and other parts of the world. Commercial production of bananas started in the early 1800’s and has continued to increase in production since that time. The Cavendish variety is what most of us eat, but past UGA research trials recommend the Viente Cohol variety as a good cultivar to grow in Georgia. Veinte Cohol is a short-cycle banana that grows well in Georgia and the Southeast. Its pups, or small shoots from the tree, can be planted in April. Its fruit is ready to harvest in October before plant-killing frost hits the southern part of the state. Like all bananas, it doesn’t tolerate cold temperatures.
Another interesting fact about bananas is that they contain Potassium 40 which is a naturally occurring radioactive isotope of potassium. Don’t be alarmed, you would have to eat about 700 bananas every day for an entire lifetime for them to be harmful.
Take time out on April 19, 2023 to enjoy National Banana Day. Whether you choose to eat them in breads, oatmeal, cookies, puddings, smoothies or just straight from the peel, you won’t be the only American. Statistics state that Americans consume about 27 pounds of bananas per person, yearly. As you can see from this information, going bananas is a good thing. For more information about bananas and other related topics, contact the Decatur County Extension Office at 229-248-3033.
