Vitamin E as antioxidant

Many researches have reported that banana is rich in many bioactive compounds. This compound including vitamin E the major lipid-soluble component in the cell antioxidant defense system and is exclusively obtained from the diet.

Vitamin E has numerous important roles within the body because of its antioxidant activity and well recognized for their effective inhibition of lipid peroxidation in foods and living cells.

Vitamin E consists of four tocopherols (α-, β-, γ-, and ẟ-T) and the corresponding tocotrienols (α-, β-, γ- and ẟ-T3), which contain unsaturated side chains. RRR-a-T is the most biologically active form.

Tocopherols are widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom, α-tocopherol is the most widespread, being found essentially in the chloroplast. Other tocopherols are located outside the chloroplast.

The lipophilic extract of ripe banana pulp from several cultivars of the M. acuminata and M. balbisiana species has been found to be a source of α-tocopherol, thus offering well established nutritional and health benefits.

The biological activity of the tocopherols varies greatly and this variation is only partly correlated with the antioxidant action.
Vitamin E as antioxidant

Vitamin A rich fruit: Banana

Bananas are considered as a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, manganese, potassium and digestible food fibers are present in the fruits in sizeable levels.

In ripe banana the major carotenoids are lutein, α-carotene, and β-carotene. A deep yellow or orange color associated with carotenoids. β-carotene is the provitamin A carotenoid contributing the most to vitamin A status.

Banana peels are a rich source of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids (β-carotene).

Consumption of the fruit itself or products derived from the cultivars could provide substantial contributions to the vitamin A intake of vulnerable population groups, such as children 6–59 months and women of reproductive age.

Vitamin A aids in healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, and mucus membrane. It is also known as retinol because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A promotes good eyesight, especially in low light. It also has a role in healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Vitamin A rich fruit: Banana

Banana with vitamin B6

Bananas are economical food and provide a significant amount of vitamin B6. Therefore, they are well posited as a readily available source of vitamin B6 for the elderly.

Bananas contain about 40 % of daily recommended amount of vitamin B6. In general, consuming 1.5 to 2 bananas would provide the recommended intake of vitamin B6 each day throughout most of the life span.

A 100 -gram serving of bananas provides 0.58 milligrams of vitamin B6. Thus an average sized banana (120 grams) would provide 0.7 milligrams of this vitamin.

Although extreme deficiency of vitamin B6 is to be quite rare, numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the importance of vitamin B6 in a number of health conditions that typically respond to vitamin B6 supplementation, including asthma, premenstrual syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, morning sickness and kidney stones.

Premenstrual syndrome is remedied from consuming bananas because the B6 property regulate blood glucose levels, which can affect the person mood.
Banana with vitamin B6

What are the main vitamins in Banana?

Banana is a good source of many vitamins and minerals particularly vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C.

Many of banana varieties contain high levels of provitamin A carotenoids, the source of the yellow or orange color of the fruit.

The importance of carotenoids becomes clear when one considers that vitamin A deficiency affects around 120 millions children a year. Vitamin deficiency has many effects including weakening the immune system and causing blindness.

Because they contain vitamin A bananas and plantains act as an aid to digestion, and it is reported that boiled mashed ripe fruit can be good for constipation, especially when mixed with other recommended plants.

Banana contains about 10-25 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, though figures as high as 50 mg have been quoted in some varieties.

The quantity is the same whether it is ripe or unripe. Vitamin C in banana helps the body to heal and defend against infections.

Vitamin C also is valuable in the absorption of iron, synthesis of connective tissue, and blood formation.
What are the main vitamins in Banana?