Banana can be found on the shelves all year round, while it is inexpensive, tasty and healthy. It is used not only for snacks and as an additive to desserts, but also for cosmetic purposes, about which few people know. Let's take a closer look at the product.
Calorie and nutritional value
In athletes, a banana is considered a complete snack, and all due to its increased nutritional value. 100 g of this product contains 96 kcal, which is almost 7% of the daily norm. The carbohydrates alone are 21 g there, which equals almost 16.5% of the required dose for normal human activity. 
In addition, the product is rich in proteins and dietary fiber, almost 70% of its composition - water, and even less fat than 1%. Due to this, the fruit satisfies the feeling of hunger and helps the body to remain full of strength.
Read also about the beneficial properties and application of exotic fruits: pineapple, mango, pomegranate, dates, figs, lychee, papaya, arbutus, feijoa, medlar, longan, kivano, guava.
Vitamin and mineral composition
This product is very useful due to the large amount of vitamins in the composition - this is A, C and group B. Also there are such chemical elementslike iron, sodium, phosphorus and potassium.
Important! It is worth remembering that the whole usefulness of a fruit can eliminate a large amount of sugar in the composition (its glycemic index is over 41) - therefore it is not recommended to consume more than three fruits per day.
How are bananas useful?
In addition to the fact that a banana is able to saturate and provide energy, it is easily digested and does not load the digestive tract. It contains pectic substances and fiber, which improve the digestive process.
In this fruit the amount vitamin C no less than in citrus, so frequent use helps to maintain immunity and fight disease. It is also important to take it for the prevention of cancer. 
By consuming this fruit for food, you will ensure your beauty and health. nails and hair. It will positively affect vision and the cardiovascular system - vitamin A will take care of them.
If you want your bones to be strong, your muscles are in normal tone, and your liver and brain are healthy - you need potassium and magnesium, which are enough in a banana.
Separately, it is necessary to highlight the effect of yellow fruit on the nervous system - a person becomes calmer, more active and even happier due to the sweet taste and the presence of the amino acid tryptophan.
Dried bananas are a tasty and healthy dessert or snack, a source of energy during increased physical exertion.
For men
This fruit is directly related to improving male power. Moreover, magnesium not only increases the potency, but also improves the quality of the seed - there is a stimulation of the production of motile spermatozoa. Therefore, the product is advised to use those who want to become a parent as soon as possible.
Also increases the duration of erection. Banana acts as an aphrodisiac - increases libido and allows you to get excited much faster. 
For women
Women have fruit first increases sexual desire. But that's not all. Premenstrual and critical days will become easier to carry if you eat at least one fruit per day. Pain will dull, and the bleeding will not be so abundant.
And, of course, beauty is directly dependent on the diet. If there is a banana in it, then you should not worry about problems with skin, hair or nails. This product will replenish the amount of vitamin B in the body.
For kids
The dessert and source of vitamin banana for children is the number one fruit. Moreover, doctors are allowed to enter it into the diet of the baby almost from 6 months. Naturally, from 6 to 8 months, extremely small doses should be given, you can simply give the child a nibble. A little banana can be added to porridge, if it is without sweeteners and the child refuses to eat it.
Important! This fruit should not be the first to introduce as a complementary food - otherwise the baby may refuse to eat other, unsweetened products after it.
This product is very useful for the development of the baby's body - vitamins and minerals are involved in the formation of muscles, bone tissue, brain and blood. 
Another plus is the fruit is soft and tender; even if you accidentally bite off and swallow a small piece, it is almost impossible to choke - he just slip through the throat. It is also one of the most non-allergic products.
From banana peel you can make natural fertilizer for seedlings and flowers.
Can i bananas
As with any product, banana has its limitations. It will not be useful for everyone, and in rare cases it can even be harmful. Therefore, we will understand when it should be deleted from the diet.
Pregnant
You can eat bananas and even need. Just this fruit will help expectant mothers to experience not the most pleasant condition accompanying pregnancy - toxicosis. Banana suppresses nausea and gives strength.
Fruit will help from heartburn - thanks to its delicate texture, it lubricates the stomach, removing inflammation. Yes, and other troubles, such as constipation or heaviness in the stomach, also quickly cease to bother.
The constant desire to eat can lead to undesirable weight gain - and a snack banana can save from this. 
Iron, which is quite a part, will increase hemoglobin levels and prevent the appearance of anemia at the fetus.
Nursing mothers
A woman whose baby is breastfed should be fully fed. Therefore worth forget about Soviet dietsthat provide a poor diet. This applies to cases where children do not have unexplained allergies to certain foods, including bananas. They help recuperate after childbirth and provide milk with rich elements.
In this case, the amino acid tryptophan helps mom and baby sleep properly. It enhances the production of the hormone of joy, but for a sleepless and tired mother it is important. A banana can either strengthen the baby’s chair or weaken, so it’s best not to overdo it with the number of fruits - one per day will be the norm.
A banana is very rarely allergic, but still in the first months of a baby’s life it is better to carefully observe its reaction.
Learn what healthier grapes, cherries, cherries, strawberries, raspberries (black), gooseberries, currants (black, red, white), yoshta, blueberries, cranberries, blueberries, sea buckthorn, cloudberries, cranberries, princeling, goji, mulberry, aronia.
Losing weight
But for those who aim to lose weight, it is better to avoid bananas. Or use them until 12 noon - To sugar went into the creation of energy, rather than fat reserves. It is also better to limit one fruit per day. 
This product is perfect for those who can not imagine life without sweet. It is best to add it to yogurt without filler, cottage cheese or oatmeal.
Did you know? Record amount eaten in one hour bananas - 81 pieces.
With diabetes
The American Diabetic Association allows people with this disease to consume these fruits. As for the doctors of the CIS countries, the opinions differ radically. Therefore it is better consult with your doctor and clarify the amount of permitted fruit per day. You also need to understand that the type of diabetes can also influence the decision of the doctor - if the disease is complicated, it is better to give up bananas.
The main thing is to eat fruit evenly so that there are no unnecessary blood sugar jumps throughout the day. It is better to eat one fruit, and not as part of desserts, yoghurts or cottage cheese. 
How to choose a quality product when buying
Tasty and ripe fruit is not so difficult to choose if you follow these rules:
- Pay attention to the shape of the fetus - it should be streamlined, in any case not ribbed. Usually these fruits are without dents and protruding parts.
- Matte, smooth and yellow skin without darkening, cracks, dents.
- The color should be uniform - yellow. The green shade speaks of the incompetence of the fetus, but if it lies down a bit in the sun, it can be eaten. Darkening yellow suggests that the fetus has long been on the counter. The taste of this fruit is not very pleasant.
- The smaller the fruit, the better - in the homeland of this fruit, only dwarf bananas are generally eaten, and large ones are used as animal feed.
- Grayish color of the fruit says frostbite - this is not worth taking. But the black dots - it's not scary, but still it is better to eat the fruit on the day of purchase.
How to store at home
Bananas are well kept in the room or in the kitchen on the windowsill or in a small vase. They are thermophilic and can even be filled with vitamin D in the sun. But there are certain the rate at which the fruit is stored best:
- temperature up to 13 ° C;
- humidity in the room is not lower than 90%;
- better preserved fruit in the bunch.
Immature fruits can be stored in such conditions for about a month.
Do not store the fruit in the refrigerator - it is better from this, they will not be saved, but only darken and lose taste.
Features and rules of use
Banana - one of the products that do not need instructions for use. But there are some rules to follow.
Did you know? A banana is a berry. It grows on a grass stalk up to 10 m high.
Do I need to wash bananas before eating
You cannot know the conditions under which the fruit was brought from hot countries - where they lay, whether dust and dirt fell on them. So take a minute and wash the rind of the fruit. This will protect you from unwanted bacteria that can get on the pulp. 
How much can you eat per day
Quietly you can afford to eat up to 3 bananas per day. This will be especially useful for athletes, active people, those who need to feed the brain with energy. Children should not eat more than one fruit. Also limit the amount needed to those who:
- losing weight;
- eats other fruits and moves little;
- has problems with the digestive tract.
In these cases, more than one fruit is not worth it, so as not to harm the body.
Read also about the beneficial properties and use of fruits: apples, pears, plums, cherry plums, peach, apricot, nectarine, quince, persimmon.
When is it better to eat bananas: in the morning or in the evening
Nutritionists recommend eating any fruits, including bananas, before lunch. Then the body will be filled with energy and will be in good shape, so that work will become easier. And at night, extra strength is not needed, and extra weight will not be a pleasant bonus.
What can be done and where to add
Bananas are best made smoothies, milkshakes and desserts. This fruit is compatible with other, moreover - the mixes from it will always be delicious. If you mix a banana, strawberries and yogurt without a filler in a blender, you will get a tasty snack. With dairy products, this fruit will always be a winning option.
Banana will be a good filling of cakes and other desserts. You can bake it in a pie, fry for pancakes or just put it on a peanut butter sandwich.
Learn more about the benefits and dangers of peanuts.
Manka or other porridge will be sweeter and tastier from this fruit - children will enjoy. 
How can be used for cosmetic purposes
For cosmetic procedures, this fruit is ideal - it is easy to knead and add anywhere. It will nourish the skin with nutrients, moisturize and soothe it. Organic acids will help normalize oily skin and get rid of acne.
Before using the mask:
- make sure that the skin does not show an allergic reaction - spread the mixture on your wrist and hold for five minutes;
- take only ripe fruits and knead not with a fork, but with a blender - without lumps, the mixture will be better placed on the skin;
- on sensitive skin, do not hold the mask for more than 10 minutes.
Refreshing mask
Half a banana is mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice. Hold the mixture for 15 minutes and rinse with cold water. Instead lemon can be used and orange. If after that you also wipe the face with chamomile - a pleasant feeling on your face will not leave you until the end of the day.
Read also about the beneficial properties of citrus fruits: lemon, orange, mandarin, kumquat, bergamot, suite.
Toning and nourishing mask
Take half a banana, two teaspoons of milk and one yolk. Mix to form a thick slurry and apply for 15 minutes. Mineral water will complement the tonic effect of such a mask - unlike running water, it will not dry the skin. Instead of milk, you can take sour cream or kefir.
You can also mix half the fruit with oatmeal and lemon juice - this mask soothes inflammation, tones and nourishes the skin.
Rejuvenating mask
Take the pulp of half a fruit, two tablespoons of yogurt without filler and honey. Mix the ingredients and apply on clean skin of the face and neck. After 10 minutes, wash off with warm water and moisturize the skin with a day cream.
If you use this mask several times a week, the skin will tighten and will not be disturbed by dehydration.
Contraindications and harm
Diseases of the digestive tract and diabetes in most cases require the exclusion of the product from the diet. But this is decided by the doctor. Varicose veins and thrombophlebitis can also be contraindications to the use of fruit.
So, we found out that a banana is good for both children and adults. This is one of the few fruits that rarely causes allergies, so it can also be given to babies as a sweet supplement to cereals. And if you eat them in the morning, then you will have enough strength and energy not only for work, but also for sports activities.
