Banana At Night: Side Effects, Myths, And Benefits Shared By Expert

Many of us like bananas as our late-night snack before dosing off. But this seemingly harmless snack can have significant impacts on your health. Our expert, Dr Archana Batra, a dietician and a certified diabetes educator, told us about the possible side effects of eating bananas at night, contradicting benefits, and shed light on some myths about it.

Eating Bananas At Night

Dr Batra said, “Bananas are loved by many people because of their portability, sweetness, and nutrient-packed composition. When it comes to eating bananas at night, many people give their different opinions on this. According to some people, bananas are the best midnight snack. On the other hand, some suggest not consuming bananas at night due to their potential drawbacks. Let’s separate the myth and reality of eating bananas at night.”

Nutritional Profile Of Bananas

“Bananas are rich in fibre, micronutrients, and natural sugar, making them a good source of nourishment and energy. However, consuming bananas at night can affect your digestion, weight management, and sleep quality,” shared the dietician.

Side Effects Of Eating Bananas At Night

• Impacts Digestion: Bananas contain high carbohydrates and natural sugars which is why they can cause discomfort in some such as bloating, gas, etc., especially if you eat it at night before bedtime.
• Spikes In Blood Sugar Levels: “Because bananas have high natural sugar, when you eat it without any other food, it may lead to a spike in blood sugar levels,” said Dr Archana.
• Weight Management: Dr Batra mentioned, “Containing carbohydrates and natural sugars, bananas can be a great source of energy. If you are not physically active, the body will store the energy as fat, which leads to weight gain.”

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Myths About Consuming Bananas At Night

• Bananas Are Harmful To Diabetics At Night: The fibre in bananas slows down the glucose in the bloodstream. Not only this, bananas are a non-diabetic diet, even at night.
• Bananas Always Cause Weight Gain: The timing of consumption and quantity of the bananas matter.

Health Benefits Of Eating Bananas At Night

• Satisfy Late-Night Cravings: “Bananas satisfy the late-night cravings without any unhealthy fat or added sugar. It is one of the best alternatives for snacks and desserts,” said Dr Batra.
• Sleep and Relaxation: The expert points out, “Bananas improve quality of sleep and promote relaxation as they are high in magnesium and tryptophan.”

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