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
