Need For BANANAS - can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Bananas are rich in a mineral called potassium. This mineral is important as it helps maintain fluid levels in the body and regulates the movement of nutrients and waste products in and out of cells.

Potassium also helps muscles to contract and nerve cells to respond. It keeps the heart beating regularly and can reduce the effect of sodium on blood pressure.

Potassium may reduce the risk of kidney stones forming as people age. In turn, healthy kidneys make sure that the right amount of potassium is kept in the body.

Nutritional Profile

In one serve of Banana about 126 grams, it contains

• Vitamin B6 - 0.5 mg
• Manganese - 0.3 mg
• Vitamin C - 9 mg
•  Potassium - 450 mg
• Dietary Fiber - 3g
• Protein - 1 g
• Magnesium - 34 mg
• Folate - 25.0 mcg
• Riboflavin - 0.1 mg
• Niacin - 0.8 mg
• Iron - 0.3 mg

The fiber, potassium, vitamin C and B6 content in bananas highly assist in heart health. An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Leading cardiologists.

In a study, those who consumed 4069 mg of potassium per day had a 49% lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared with those who consumed less potassium (about 1000 mg per day).

Researchers also found that increased dietary potassium levels lessened vascular calcification and aortic stiffness.

Such knowledge of how vascular smooth muscle cells in the arteries regulate vascular calcification emphasizes the need to consider dietary intake of potassium in the prevention of vascular complications of atherosclerosis. It also provides new targets for potential therapies to prevent or treat atherosclerotic vascular calcification and arterial stiffness.

To submit an abstract in any of the scientific sessions of Advanced Heart 2018, Click here