It is believed that bananas were first discovered in Malaysia and then the fruit managed to find its way to India. From here, Alexander the Great transported banana to Europe. In America, when the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was being celebrated in the year 1876 in Pennsylvania, bananas were sold during the festivities for ten cents. There was even a write up in an encyclopedia on how to consume bananas. This was the first time the Americans were consuming a banana.

While the banana has been growing for centuries across the world, it was only in the 19th century that the fruit became popular among people. This extremely tasty fruit is a powerhouse of nutrition. If you know the banana nutrition facts, you will ensure that you consume one banana a day without fail. It contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, riboflavin, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, copper, pantothenic acid, niacin, thiamine and zinc.

Here are some nutritional facts about the banana that you should be aware of:

Banana does not contain any fat, cholesterol or sodium. Hence, it is highly recommended for people suffering from high blood pressure, heart ailments and atherosclerosis. The Vitamin C content in the banana helps to enhance immunity of the body and promotes synthesis of connective tissues, better absorption of iron and production of blood. The potassium content of the banana aids in building up muscles and in the synthesis of proteins. Also, potassium is required by people to lower their blood pressure and prevent the chances of suffering from a stroke. Banana also contains 3 naturally occurring sugars, namely sucrose, fructose and glucose. These sugars give instant energy and hence, bananas are useful source of energy. The Vitamin B6 present in the banana helps to synthesize antibodies, and also helps in the formation of RBCs, metabolism of proteins, and proper working of the CNS. The carbohydrate present in the fruit can be easily digested by the body and the calories from this carbohydrate can be easily burned off by the body compared to the calories that a person gets from proteins or fats.