A banana a day can protect from atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Atherosclerosis is characterized by the progressive accumulation of lipids and inflammatory cells within the intima of large arteries. Oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol holds an important role in the process of atherogenesis. 

Blanch and co-workers (research publish in Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2014) demonstrated that a high potassium meal, which contains a similar amount of potassium as 2.5 servings of bananas, can lessen endothelial dysfunction measured with the reduction in branchial artery by flow-mediated dilatation.

Banana is rich in potassium thus may potentially help reducing the risk of stroke. Banana has also been projected as a potential source for treatment of shigellosis, gastric ulcer, diabetes mellitus, depression and oxidative stress induced neuro-degenerative disease.

The researchers, from Yanbian University in China, say that bananas also seem to lower the risk of plaque building up on artery walls.

Eating bananas might reduce the risk of arteries becoming furred up. Two hours after researchers gave 20 healthy men and women a single banana, they found that blood levels of bad cholesterol -- a major cause of atherosclerosis and heart disease -- had dropped.
A banana a day can protect from atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular protection by banana

Cardiovascular protection by banana
Bananas are common supermarket fruit and few realize its health benefit. Bananas are rich source of vitamin B, C and A, Bananas are also low in calories and fat, and also they have high potassium level. Potassium is one of essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function.

Bananas is among the best contain a lot of potassium. The average banana contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis. We need about 3 grams a day of potassium. Potassium has an important function in the blood pressure circulation system and is needed for muscles and nerve to function properly.

Researchers tracked over 40,000 American male health professionals over four years to determine the effects of diet on blood pressure. Men, who ate diets higher in potassium-rich foods, as well as foods high in magnesium and cereal fiber, had a substantially reduced risk of stroke. A study confirmed that eating high fiber foods, such as bananas, helps prevent heart disease. People eating the most fiber, 21 grams per day, had 12% less coronary heart disease and 11% less cardiovascular disease compared to those eating the least, 5 grams daily. Those eating the most water-soluble dietary fiber fared even better with a 15% reduction in risk of coronary heart disease and a 10% risk reduction in coronary heart disease.

In addition to these cardiovascular benefits, the potassium found in bananas may also help to promote bone health. Potassium may counteract the increased urinary calcium loss caused by the high-salt diets typical of most Americans, thus helping to prevent bones from thinning out at a fast rate.
Cardiovascular protection by banana