Foods comprise protein, fat and carbohydrate. It is the carbohydrate part of food that gets digested and absorbed as glucose, a type of sugar. This glucose is stored in the liver and muscles to be used as an energy source later, especially for muscle contraction during sport, exercise and daily chores.
Wholesome carbohydrate sources also help keep blood sugar levels normal. If you feel a bit jaded mid-afternoon it could be because your blood sugar levels are beginning to fall. Don’t go for a biscuit or cake as they usually provide saturated fats; go for the fat-free pick-me-up called the banana. The natural sugars in the banana will help bring your blood sugars back up to normal and get you through the mid-afternoon slump.
As bananas taste sweet, some people worry that it may be causing their blood sugars to rise too high, especially if they have diabetes. They should not be alarmed.
The Glycaemic Index is a measure of how much and how quickly blood sugar levels rise after eating a food. The average Glycemic Index of bananas is 52, less for under-ripe bananas as they have a higher starch content and a lower sugar content. A GI of 52 is classified as low, meaning that it doesn’t cause high blood sugar levels. That makes the banana a good fruit choice for people with diabetes. Of course, if you have diabetes, get your overall diet checked by an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
The banana is also a favourite choice for athletes and active people because the carbohydrate in a banana causes a gradual and sustained rise in blood sugar providing muscle energy for longer. The carbohydrate in a banana will also help replace muscle fuel stores after exercise and that makes them a great recovery food. As they are easy to peel and easy to eat, you can see why they are popular with gardeners, cricketers, cyclists and tennis players who need a sustained energy infusion.
