Is Eating a Lot of Bananas Healthy?

In the United States, bananas are more popular than any other fruit. Around the world, there is even a banana diet that is popular in Japan. However, although bananas are healthy, it isn't a good idea to eat too many of them in one day, according to an article on GulfNews.com.

Bananas for sale at a market. (Image: Baloncici/iStock/Getty Images)

Banana Nutrition

A medium banana contains 110 calories, 1 gram of protein and 3 grams of fiber and doesn't contain any fat, cholesterol or sodium. It is a good source of potassium and provides 35 percent of the daily value, or recommended daily intake, for vitamin B-6; 20 percent of the daily value for vitamin C; 10 percent of the daily value for magnesium; 8 percent of the daily value for riboflavin; 6 percent of the daily value for folate; 4 percent of the daily value for niacin and thiamine; and 2 percent of the daily value for vitamin A, iron and phosphorus.

Banana Benefits

The high levels of potassium and carbohydrates in bananas make them a good source of fuel for athletes. The fiber in bananas can help to lower your risk for intestinal problems, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes. The fiber can help fill you up and keep you feeling full for longer, helping you keep from eating more calories than you need and gaining weight.

Excess Banana Consumption

Eating too many bananas can cause some unpleasant side effects due to their fiber content, including indigestion and the need to go to the bathroom often, especially if you increase your fiber intake suddenly and don't drink enough liquids. Also, bananas are relatively high in calories for a fruit. Having a banana or two a day won't hurt as long as you take the calories into account, but stay away from diets that recommend you eat five or ten bananas a day.

Recommendations

Rather than consuming a lot of bananas, you should eat them in moderation along with other fruits and vegetables. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables increases the potential health benefits since different fruits contain different mixes of nutrients. If you increase the amount of fiber you eat, do so gradually to minimize the potential side effects.