Full of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and phytonutrients, bananas are the perfect power food, providing a long-lasting burst of energy to fuel your busy, active life. Pack a banana wherever you go and you'll always have a quick, convenient source of nutrition to pick you up and keep you going.
Good for Your Heart
- The American Heart Association has certified bananas as a heart-healthy food when eaten as part of a low-fat, balanced diet.
- According to the National Academy of Sciences, diets rich in potassium and low in sodium may reduce your risk of high blood pressure and stroke. At about 400mg per finger, Chiquita® Bananas are an excellent source of potassium.
- The Food and Drug Administration says diets rich in fiber may reduce the risk of heart disease. Chiquita bananas supply 3 grams of fiber per serving. That's 12% of the Daily Recommended Allowance.
Good for Your Health
- A low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce your risk of some types of cancer.
- Bananas contain 15% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, which helps your body heal, absorb iron and synthesize connective tissue and blood formation.
- Bananas supply 20% of the recommended daily allowance for vitamin B6, which supports your immune system, plays a significant role in the synthesis of antibodies, helps with protein metabolism, red blood cell formation and central nervous system function.
A Dieter's Dream Food
- There's even more good news if you're trying to lose weight safely and sensibly. That same fiber in Chiquita bananas makes you feel full and satisfied when you're dieting. That, in turn, helps you to eat less.
- Soluble fiber slows digestion and adsorption of carbohydrates, which leads to a more steady release of natural energy.
- Bananas include complex carbohydrates, an important part of a sensible weight loss plan.
- When you're reducing calories, your body still needs nutrients to function properly. Bananas are a nutrient-rich food. Yet this amazing package of natural energy, minerals, vitamins, fiber and phytonutrients is also fat free!
An Athlete's Friend
- There are approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates in a Chiquita banana supplying the fuel your body needs for muscle and central nervous system activity.
- The banana's combination of carbohydrates, simple sugars, starch and dietary fiber gives you the quick boost and sustained release of energy over time to help improve your endurance and concentration during physical activity.
- The potassium in bananas helps your body maintain fluid balance in blood and tissue cells. Potassium is also an essential mineral for protein synthesis and the building of muscle because it stimulates nerve impulses for muscle contraction.