Power me up With Bananas
Posted: February 12, 2021
As you are aware, the martial arts and exercises places heavy demands upon your body. It can rob you of many nutrients as it makes you stronger. One of the best fruits to eat post-workout is a banana. It can help with your post-workout recovery as it is an excellent source of potassium and easy to digest. Bananas help with heart health and blood pressure as well.
Not getting enough potassium can contribute to high blood pressure and increase risk for stroke. Additionally, many medications to treat these conditions drain the body of potassium, so eating bananas can help with replenishment of this nutrient.
Bananas are also great energizers for a pre-workout power up. On your next visit to the dojang or dojo, rather than reach for an energy bar or power drink, bananas provide a low-cost and natural alternative. They provide a quick pick-me-up and replace the important vitamins and minerals you lose during your strenuous free-sparring or ground and pound workouts. In addition, the potassium-rich banana is essential for muscle health.
Did you know the banana also contains Vitamin C? This nutrient helps the body heal and defend against infections and aids in the absorption of iron, especially important for the female warrior. Vitamin C is also crucial in the synthesis of connective tissue and the formation of blood. All very important aspects of a martial artist’s body.
Bananas also contain the vitamin B-6, instrumental in boosting your immune system. One banana contains approximately 30% of your daily requirement of vitamin B-6. B-6 helps the immune system by synthesizing essential antibodies and is vital to protein metabolism, red blood cell formation and proper functioning of the central nervous system.
I know bananas are rich in sugar and in some diets taboo, but the lasting health benefits of a banana a day are worth it. Remember, you must have all things in moderation. Bananas are no exception to this rule. So, go ahead and have a banana for a healthy and satisfying snack.
If after a workout, you've felt like your muscles are sore—or not growing fast enough—you might not be getting enough magnesium in your diet. A good source of magnesium, bananas can help with muscle contraction and relaxation as well as protein synthesis — which, in turn, increases lean muscle mass. A bonus: magnesium intake helps boost lipolysis, a process by which your body releases fat from its stores. One fun way to get your magnesium: Make banana tea. Just boil some water, cut off both ends of a banana (still in its peel) and boil for 7-10 minutes. Then drain and drink before bed.
