Banana: perfect natural “cereal bar” for athletes

Bananas are one of the fruits most consumed by all types of athletes. It is a must-have fruit in every meal of professional athletes in all sports. This isn’t a coincidence. Keep reading to discover the benefits of bananas for athletes.

Nutritional value of bananas
It’s because this fruit is very beneficial and has a large number of very interesting properties in relation to physical effort. Bananas provide a quick source of energy as it is high in carbohydrates.
For every 100 grams, a banana contains:
– Calories: 90 Kilocalories
– Fat: 0.30 grams
– Carbohydrates: 21 grams
– Fiber: 2 grams
– Protein: 1 gram
– Calcium: 285 milligrams
– Phosphorus: 22 milligrams
The table indicates the most outstanding nutritional values. In any case, we must consider that although in lesser proportion, bananas are also rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E. They also contain magnesium and iron.

Andy Murray and Marcos Rojo eating banana on the pitch.

Energy source
The banana is a fruit that’s rich in carbohydrates. Thanks to carbohydrates, bananas are perfect for consuming before an exercise session. It’s a good way to provide energy to the body and thus, have enough strength to execute the routine normally.
Moreover, you won’t have the feeling of a heavy stomach once you start to exercise because they have low caloric content, contrary to what happens with other foods. Having a very high proportion of carbohydrates and very low calories is perfect for athletes.

Banana is also considered as a natural “cereal bar”. Therefore, another option is to eat the banana during the exercise session. This is highly recommended when it comes to intense exercises that last a long time. Eating half a banana during an exercise break will provide us with energy again to face the final stretch.

PVF changing room

High potassium content
Another reason why this fruit is especially recommended for those who perform sports is that it contains a high level of potassium. This mineral has a favorable effect on the health of athletes by providing these benefits:
– Generates nerve impulses. Potassium is a fundamental mineral in the process of muscle contractions. If there’s a deficiency in the body, we won’t be able to move with the necessary ease and agility and we’ll feel rigid. This sensation usually appears when we’ve been doing a particular exercise for a long time.
– Remedy against cramps. Perhaps this is one of the most unknown benefits of bananas in general, particularly the effect of potassium. If you are one of those people who experience cramps after playing sports, you should know that the reason is lack of electrolyte which might include potassium. Therefore, you should eat foods rich in this mineral, such as bananas.
Beside all nutritional values, banana is a delicious fruit which is convenient and easy to find. We usually just peel the banana and eat it naturally. You can carry a banana in your backpack or sports bag, it will stay in good condition until you decide to eat it. In PVF, banana is also a must-have in every training session on the pitch and always available in the changing room.

• Trâm Anh/PVF