Bananas-Their Nutritional Value In Pregnancy
DURING pregnancy, intake of fruits is important because they contain vitamins and minerals. Vitamins are organic substances found in small amounts and they are essential in the development of cells and providing the body with immunity. Minerals help repair and maintain body tissues.
Importance of Bananas
The bananas fruit supplies vital minerals and vitamins to the body.
Bananas contain A. C. E. and B6 vitamins. They also contain minerals such as fiber, iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium.
The World Health Organisation recommends a daily intake of vitamin A. required by the body during pregnancy to neutralize free radicals in the body.
Vitamin C in bananas helps the body to heal and defend itself against bleeding of gums. It also absorbs iron arid allows production of collagen, the component that builds body tissues.
Vitamin E tones up the uterus to prevent miscarriage. It also enhances smooth skin, a healthy heart and healthy hair. When it is deficient. Vitamin E may cause an expectant woman to have short breath, palpitations and kidney damage.
B6 is significant in the synthesis of antibodies of the immune system. It also helps the body to convert proteins to energy, red blood cell formation and functioning of the central nervous system.
Iron prevents anaemia. This vital mineral helps the blood to make more haemoglobin (pigment in the red blood cells that enables them to transport oxygen during blood circulation), which carries oxygen and nutrients to the unborn baby.
Pregnant women who complain of fatigue could benefit from magnesium that aids in transporting energy to various body parts, thus reducing fatigue.
Bananas also contain dietary fiber in high contents. This helps in regulating the abdominal tract and restoring normal bowel function, thus eliminating constipation. The yellow ripe banana contains pectin, a water-absorbing nutrient that helps in firming stool in case of diarrhoea.
Bananas also have a trace of protein (trypotophan) that aids the body to repair body tissues and relaxing the mind. It is recommended for women who feel occasionally down-spirited because trypotophan improves the moods of a person.
The fruit is low in sodium hence its consumption does not increase the risk of hypertension. Being low-fat. bananas, also pose no risk of heart disease and cancer.
Potassium regulates water balance in the body, thus reduces oedema. Potassium is also an essential mineral for protein synthesis and the building of muscle because it stimulates nerve impulses to prevent muscle cramps.
Uses of bananas
Green bananas contain fatty acids for the cells that make up the lining of the stomach. In turn, the body’s ability to absorb calcium is increased. Calcium helps in bone development for the mother and the growing fetus.
Due to the sugar content in ripe bananas, they are a source of energy especially when combined with a meal containing proteins. This sugar content suits expectant women with cravings for sweet food.
The unripe variety of bananas usually known as matoke are delicious cuisines that are boiled, steamed and roasted then used to complement other foods or eaten as a main meal. The ripe ones are blended with other fruits to make a delicious ingredient in fresh fruit juice punch that is refreshing and nutritious. They are also used in bakery, salads and desserts.
Being calorie-free, green bananas help in creating the full effect while avoiding weight gain. They also offer relief if one develops constipation.
Other uses of bananas
Some pregnant women have skin changes that cause acne. To cleanse this naturally, they should rub a fresh and ripe banana on their faces. The inside of a banana skin is also used to reduce irritation and swelling caused by a mosquito bite.
All in all, family members should include a banana in their meal because daily intake is a guarantee for good health. They are delicious and are readily available in markets, affordable and always in season.
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