|
(ARA)
- We all know that fruits are good for us. They contain the vitamins
and nutrients we need to make it through the day and stay healthy. Now
the federal government is driving that message home in a big way.
 The recently updated USDA
Dietary Guidelines recommend that Americans eat 2-5 servings of fruits
a day, based on studies that link healthful diets, including these
natural treats, to such health benefits as a lowered risk for certain
cancers, stroke and heart disease. The USDA also recommends that the
majority of fruit servings come from whole fruits, rather than fruit
juices.
A tasty way to help meet the
government's new recommendations is by eating bananas. "Making bananas
a part of your diet is a great way to get a lot of the nutrients your
body needs, including fiber, vitamin C and vitamin B6, and especially
potassium, an essential nutrient that most Americans are lacking in
their diet," says Jeff Filliater, senior vice president, Chiquita Fresh
North America, a leading producer and distributor of quality fresh
produce.
Here's the lowdown on the health benefits of bananas:
* Potassium power -- Heart
disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States. The FDA has
acknowledged, "Diets containing foods that are good sources of
potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure
and stroke." Bananas are a good source of potassium. A medium banana
supplies 11 percent of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for
potassium.
* Fiber for health and
weight loss -- A single medium banana has 16 percent of the daily
reference value of dietary fiber. Low-fat diets rich in foods
containing fiber, such as fruits, have been associated with a number of
beneficial effects, including decreased risk of coronary heart disease
and some types of cancer. Foods rich in fiber also tend to produce a
feeling of fullness, potentially helping control the quantity of food
you eat.
* Energy -- A medium banana
contains a combination of 4 grams of fiber, starch and simple sugars.
This combination provides both a quick energy boost and a sustained
release of energy over time, helping to provide endurance and
concentration.
* Vitamins -- Bananas are
loaded with vitamin B6 - a medium banana provides 20 percent of the
RDA. B6 supports the immune system and assists in the functioning of
the central nervous system. With 15 percent of the RDA for vitamin C,
bananas are also a good source of vitamin C - an antioxidant and an
enhancer of iron absorption.
* General health -- What bananas don't have is also important: they're free of fat, sodium and cholesterol.
Packed with an abundance of
nutrients and great taste, it's easy to see why bananas are the perfect
way to meet the new dietary recommendations. With today's on-the-go
lifestyles, they're a portable and healthy snack. They can also add
great flavor and texture to smoothies, salads and many other dishes.
This Perfectly Simple Smoothie is a simple and delicious way to enjoy
this healthy fruit:
Chiquita Banana Perfectly Simple Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 Chiquita banana
6 ounce carton of strawberry yogurt
1/2 cup crushed ice
Directions: In a blender,
add one Chiquita banana, strawberry yogurt and crushed ice. Blend
together. Pour into a cup and go.
For more information on the
nutritional benefits of bananas or for more simple recipe ideas, log on
to www.chiquita.com and click on the link that says "Discover."
Courtesy of ARA Content
|
