Can I Eat Bananas During Cough & Cold At Night

Banana is known as the "Wonder Fruit" – for all the right reasons. It is one of the most popular weaning foods worldwide – as it’s texture, natural sweetness and easy to digest factors makes it a sure hit among the babies as well as the mothers. The fruit can be given in a mashed form or in the form of a smoothie – mixed with vegetables or fruits – a recipe you could never go wrong with. But is Banana bad for cough? Can I Eat Bananas During Cough & Cold At Night?

Also read Best Home Remedies For Cough & Cold

Health Benefits Of Bananas In Children

1. Rich source of calcium

Banana is a rich source of calcium and helps in building healthy and strong bones in babies.

• Storehouse of instant energy

It is a proven fact that bananas are a source of instant energy – which is very essential in kids as they are all the day of the move.

• High in fiber content

Bananas are said to be high in fiber content – thus a necessary inclusion for promoting healthy digestion in babies.

• Nutrient dense fruit

Bananas are popular world wide for a solid reason – being it is rich in many nutrients like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, folate, niacin, B6, manganese and banana lectin, also known as BanLec. BanLEC. BanLec is equipped with a super power that can prevent the HIV virus from entering the cells. It could also aid in the remedial treatment of diseases like ebola, hepatitis C, Sara and HIV.

• Regulates blood pressure

Bananas are rich in potassium and low in sodium content, thus help in maintain healthy blood pressure limits.

• Helps in improving eyesight

This fruit contains a significant amount of Vitamin A which is essential for healthy eyesight, maintaining normal vision and improving vision at night, according to the National Institute of Health.

• Good for healthy bones

Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Calcium and potassium are loaded in this wonder fruit. Better calcium absorption helps in healthy bone weight, and banana aid in this aspect.

• Helps in maintaining hemoglobin in blood

Bananas are rich in iron, and this in turn facilitates sufficient levels of hemoglobin in the blood and the formation of red blood cells. Anemia is a common deficiency disease in kids, and regular consumption of banana has proven to reduce Anemia in kids.

• Improves brain power

Banana is an excellent source of magnesium which facilitates the electrical activity between the nerve cells. Banana is also said to be a “good mood” food which helps in alleviating your mood levels. An added advantage is also that it prevents brain damage.

• Helps in treating urine infection

Bananas cure urine infection caused in the urinary tract due to the plaque caused by the bacterial infections.

Also read How Turmeric Milk Helps In Curing Cold & Cough In Kids

Common questions parents ask are –

Does banana cause phlegm?

Does banana cause throat irritation?

What fruits should be avoided during cold & cough?

Benefits of bananas for infants & babies?

• An unripe banana should be avoided as it is difficult to digest it. The only option is a ripe banana which could be easily smashed, or pureed too.
• Banana could be introduced as a weaning food for babies right from the fifth month, but in smashed form. As the baby advances, you could give it in solid form or in small bites.

Also read Is Nebulisation Safe For Kids?

Can we eat bananas in cough and cold?

The common belief amongst the parenting community is that a banana should be completely avoided during cough and cold. As it increases mucus and phelgum formation, it should not be given to babies during cold and cough. Especially if your baby is suffering from dry cough or wet cough, restrain from giving him banana atleast until the cough disappears.

Is it safe to give bananas to babies?

On a brighter side, it is an undisputable fact that eating bananas on a daily basis helps to build immune system in kids and thereby providing a shield in keeping away the common cold and flu. Moreover the fruit is packed with Vitamin B6 which helps in relaxing bronchial muscle tissue. However, there is a strong belief that for the speedy recovery from common cold and flu, bananas should be kept away from kids. Especially the longer, yellow bananas (also called as Morris) should not be given as it makes the cough and cold even more worse.

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Nutritional Benefits Of Eating Banana

• Banana in the form of powder is said to be safe to consume during cough and cold. An added benefit being it helps in healthy weight gain in babies.
• Kerala banana, mazhavazhai pazham and red banana, which is commonly available in South India is said to be a safe option too.
• Elaichi bananas also can be given occasionally.
• They are rich in Vitamin C, hence help in boosting the immune system.
• They are rich in magnesium which promote good sound sleep.

Why Should bananas be avoided at night

According to Ayurveda, those kids or adults who are prone to cold, cough or are asthmatic should avoid bananas in the evening and night as it produces toxins in the digestive tract.

Since it takes longer to digest, make sure you are eating it 3 hours before bedtime. Our metabolic rate gradually lowers after sunset so heavy foods should be avoided.

Also read How To Increase Appetite In Babies

Conclusion - Can you eat bananas during cold?

While the health benefits of bananas cannot be overlooked, yet, when it comes to common cough, cold & fever, it is said to be heaving adverse health effects on the child if had before or close to bed time. It is in the best interest of the child to not have bananas atleast till the cough subsides if the condition is severe and he or she is suffering from throat pain or infection. After which it could be introduced in small quantities gradually.