BANANAS, A SOURCE OF COMPOUNDS WITH HEALTH PROPERTIES
Résumé
Banana has an important place in human nutrition all over the world. It is interesting to analyse banana health preservation potentialities. The medicinal properties of banana are part of the folk medicine of all tropical countries. Bananas are used in special diets where ease of digestibility, low fat, minerals and vitamins are required. These special diets are used for babies, the elderly and patients with stomach problems, gout, and arthritis. Anti-ulcerogenic properties of banana are reported. Green banana has antidiarrheal properties; it is traditionally used to cure dyspepsia. Flavonoids, carotenoids and polysaccharides from banana are recognized having health benefits for humans, acting in the digestive tract and in other organs, through antioxidant activities. Nowadays, it is important to elaborate new knowledge about bananas health effects, in order to improve their consumption.
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