Nutrition Information

Bananas

by Pierre S. Aoukar, MD and Hratch L. Karamanoukian, MD
Posted: February 27, 2003

An average banana has only about 90 calories, 3 grams of soluble fiber and is loaded with potassium. If you’ve ever taken Lasix or the “water pill” you know how an important and convenient source of potassium, a banana can be. Too little or too much potassium can lead to fatal arrhythmias. When you’re taking a diuretic, it is too little potassium you worry about. Hyperkalemia, or too much potassium, is usually iatrogenic or caused by the physician. Any way you look at it, bananas are a bargain. They’re good for you, they taste great, they’re filling and they come in a self-contained package, which also happens to be biodegradable.

Reference:
Bananas, Excerpt from the book: Everything Good For The Heart: The A to Z Guide, Aoukar PS and Karamanoukian HL. Magalhaes Scientific Press