Trying to Lose Weight? Go Bananas!

Are you going bananas trying to lose weight? Stop, peel and eat ‘em instead to shed those stubborn pounds.

Bananas are full of fiber begin with, which can help to curb your appetite simply because you feel full for quite awhile after eating one. But, reach for the bunch while they’re still slightly on the green side and you’ve got a weight loss secret weapon on your side known as resistant starch. This fiber is so-named because it’s indigestible and ferments in your large intestine. This results in the formation of butyrates, which inhibit lipid oxidation. In other words, they prevent carbohydrates from being stored as fat. Instead, butyrates encourage the body to burn accumulated fat at an accelerated rate. In fact, a recent University of Colorado study found that making your daily carb intake at least 5% resistant starch can increase fat your burning capacity by 30%--for the rest of the day.

Bananas are one of the best sources of resistance starch, although it’s also found in beans and whole grains. However, bananas offer additional benefits in addition to boosting fat burning, including heart-healthy nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium and B-6. Bananas are also a rich source of protein and vitamin A.

Studies have also shown that eating a banana may help those struggling with their weight due to work-related stress, which can trigger food cravings and unhealthy snacking. According to Austrian researchers, this kind of urge to splurge can be avoided by improving blood sugar levels throughout the day. Bananas contain three simple sugars--sucrose, fructose and glucose.

Bananas can even help to improve your mood. That’s because they also contain tryptophan, a protein involved in the manufacture of serotonin, one of the ‘feel good’ hormones produced in the brain that brings about a state of relaxation. However, the potassium content in the fruit promotes increased alertness at the same time.

As you can see, a banana is the perfect food. Perhaps the old adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ should be revamped to ‘a banana today makes weight loss A-OK.’