Nutrition

Prevention of Arthritis: How Bananas Can Help

Despite what many suspect about arthritis, most doctors recommend a healthier diet to their patients rather than a mountain of pills. While you should naturally watch the portion size to what you eat, you should also put a primary focus on fruits, vegetables and nuts. The expected diet is dependent on your height and weight, and consists of 2/3 fruits, whole grains and vegetables, and 1/3 low-fat dairy and lean protein. There are specific foods, considered super foods that are best for those suffering from arthritis, such as bananas, salmon and blueberries. While it is advised to also exercise regularly, and maintain healthy habits in general, many of those suffering from arthritis could benefit greatly from a banana every day.

Why bananas?

Vitamin B6, B9 and B12

Bananas are a well-known favorite for their source of potassium, but they also provide many other necessary nutrients that arthritis destroys. Each good sized banana you devour houses a full dose of vitamins B-6, C and Folate. This makes it a very important food for arthritis ridden people. Collagen is produced by vitamin C, which is one of the key parts to a healthy joint. The body needs vitamins B-6, B-9 and B-12, especially those who are suffering from arthritis. B-6 has been shown to soothe inflammation, while B-12 has recently been shown to reduce pain in the elbow. It is possible that those deficient in these vitamins may be more likely to develop arthritis.

Lowers Cholesterol

Of course, it is good to have low cholesterol in general, but in particular, those with arthritis may want to watch it closely. It is commonly known that fiber is heart healthy, and keeps your cholesterol healthy. When people add fiber to their diet, they often lose weight, which helps greatly in controlling arthritis. Each medium banana contains roughly 14.4 grams of natural sugar, 6.35 grams of starch and 3.1 grams of fiber. This helps the body to slow the absorption of sugars and cholesterol in your bloodstream, causing the blood glucose and LDL levels to lower.

Magnesium

Super foods are very important to the body, and it is particularly to those wishing to prevent arthritis joint pain. They help keep the bones, as well as the joints and cartilage of the body healthy. Osteoarthritis, for instance, is known to eat away at your bone density. This can cause damage to your bones to your bones, and added stress to your joints. Bananas have high levels of magnesium. Magnesium can ease symptoms related to arthritis, such as muscle and joint pain and inflammation.

Potassium

Low potassium has been linked to arthritis which has brought acknowledgement to the importance of Cortisol. The levels of both potassium and cortisol in those suffering from arthritis are shockingly low. It is mostly due to cortisol being excreted through the body’s waste systems. However, there are many ways that you can raise these levels; stimulating the adrenal glands through fruits and vegetables are the main ticket. Some studies have been conducted to deduce if higher levels of potassium can reduce pain, and it was concluded that over 1/3 of those participating in the study noticed significantly less pain.

Stress Control

Not only do bananas provide muscle and bone improvement, but they also are known to decrease your stress levels. They can improve your mood, due to their high levels of tryptophan, which is later transformed into serotonin for your brain. This easily digestible fruit is capable of regulating your blood sugar, which can relax your body and calm your mind. It can counteract against calcium loss, as well as loss of bone density and soothe your muscles if they are cramping or in pain. Overall, the human body can benefit greatly from a banana every day, as it does not only regulate your body’s system but it also soothes your emotional state.

Bananas are known to be good for you, however few are aware of how good they truly are. In the long run, bananas can be the key to a healthy lifestyle. You will feel better, from your mentality to your physical being. They regulate your body’s blood sugar, as well as serotonin levels and cortisol levels. Being so chockfull of potassium, they are an excellent source of various vitamins and can even defend against the development of various types of arthritis.

REFERENCES:
News release, American Society for Nutrition.
Joan Salge Blake, RD, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and clinical associate professor of nutrition at Boston University.
National Institutes of Health: “Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B6.”
Pilot Study of Potassium Supplementation in the Treatment of Hypokalemic Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(08)00497-5/abstract

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