Are Bananas Good For Weight Loss?

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating right and regular exercise is something we all should do and may help promote fertility. Although, weight alone is not the only factor that contributes to the health of a pregnancy and baby, but achieving a normal weight will decrease the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes of pregnancy and birth defects. Making small, consistent healthy choices can put you on a path to better health. One change could be to eat a banana a day! A recent study published in Medical News Today how are bananas good for weight loss?

“Bananas are an excellent source of fiber. A medium banana contains 3.07 grams (g) of fiber, and the recommended daily intake for adults is 25 g for those on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Research shows that there is a link between higher fiber intakes and lower body weights. This nutrient may also help reduce and stabilize blood sugar levels. Fiber can help people feel full for longer, which may reduce the total number of calories that they eat. The body takes a long time to digest certain types of fiber, allowing it to regulate food intake better.

The authors of a review that looked at more than 50 studies suggest that increasing the daily intake of fiber by 14 g could lead to a 10% decrease in overall energy intake and a weight loss of 2 kilograms (4.41 pounds) over 4 months.

Research from China looked at the effects of dietary fiber on appetite in 100 overweight but otherwise healthy adults. The results showed that an increase in dietary fiber reduced feelings of hunger, as well as how many calories the participants consumed. Fiber may also help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Unripe green bananas contain resistant starch. Resistant starch is a carbohydrate that does not break down easily in the small intestine. Instead, it passes through to the large intestine, which means that it does not increase blood sugar levels. It then ferments in the large intestine, stimulating the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Eating more resistant starch may help people lose weight, as it acts in a similar way to dietary fiber. It may reduce a person’s appetite by making them feeling fuller for longer. Research suggests that resistant starch could also help improve insulin sensitivity. The benefits that it provides for gut health can help with constipation and reduce the risk of colon cancer.”

To read of more about other benefits of eating bananas, click here.

If you have questions on your fertility, please contact us. We are here to help.