Here Is Why You Should Eat Bananas-Benefit of Eating a Banana for Sports

Nutrients fuel your body to help it carry out day-to-day functions. If you have a physically demanding lifestyle that includes exercise, nutrition is particularly important to your health. Eating properly helps ensure that your muscles have enough energy to power through your workout and also prevents low blood sugar after physical activity that can cause dizziness and fatigue. Bananas provide your body with essential nutrients that benefit your health, especially if you play sports.

Potassium

Potassium plays an essential role in muscle function, and deficiencies in potassium can lead to abnormal cramping and discomfort. During exercise, your body loses potassium through your sweat, and prolonged periods of physical activity can significantly reduce your potassium levels. Eating a large banana boosts your potassium intake by 487 milligrams or 10 percent of your daily recommended intake, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.

Manganese

Manganese has a number of physiological functions, including a role in bone development and wound healing. Consuming enough manganese also plays a key role in your metabolism, helping your body access energy from the foods in your diet. As a result, manganese supports physical activity and performance in sports by helping your body get the most from your meals. A large banana provides 0.37 milligrams of manganese, about 21 percent of the daily recommended intake for women and 17 percent of the recommended intake for men, reports the Linus Pauling Institute.

Carbohydrates

Consuming bananas also provides your body with carbohydrates that help support athletic performance during sports. When you perform physical activity, your muscles use glycogen, a type of carbohydrate, as fuel. Eating sources of carbohydrates increases your exercise endurance, while a low-carbohydrate diet reduces endurance. Eating bananas helps to replenish your body's carbohydrate stores, providing 31 grams of carbohydrates in each large banana.

Considerations

If you plan to eat a banana before your workout, time your meal properly to maximize athletic performance. Eating right before exercise might diminish your athletic ability. Instead of directing blood flow to your muscles to maximize performance, your body must direct blood flow to your stomach and intestines to allow for digestion. Try eating a banana about an hour before working out to allow sufficient time for digestion, recommends Go Ask Alice, a service provided by Columbia University. Alternatively, eat a banana after exercise to restore your body's nutrients after a hard workout.

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