The term "banana" refers to a number of species belonging to the genus Musa, of the family Musaceae, growing on a plant that is often referred to as a tree. Bananas are a fruit rich in nutrients, including vitamins B-6, potassium and vitamin C. These vitamins are important to neurological functioning, however higher doses might contribute to nerve damage. Consult your doctor before eating bananas if you have, or are at risk for, nerve damage.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage, or neuropathy, presents a number of symptoms including tingling and numbness in your limbs, sensitivity to heat and cold, as well as difficulties controlling muscle movement. You might also experience autonomic neuropathy, a form of peripheral neuropathy that affects basic functions of your body, such as bladder function or blood pressure. There are numerous causes of nerve damage, including traumatic injury, diabetes, infection, alcohol use and vitamin deficiencies.
Vitamin B-6
Bananas are a rich source of B-6, offering 41 percent of your daily requirement in a 1 cup serving. Vitamin B-6, or pyridoxine, supports the functioning of several neurotransmitters; ensuring signals are carried from one cell to another, supporting your brain development and normal functioning. Too little vitamin B-6 in your diet may lead to nerve damage. MayoClinic.com reports vitamin B-6 might assist in alleviating inflammation, such as in rheumatoid arthritis, which might prevent neuropathy symptoms from developing. Too much B-6 might paradoxically cause nerve damage, according to the Office Dietary Supplements. Do not exceed 100 milligrams of bananas daily.
Potassium
Bananas are rich in potassium, containing 23 percent of your daily requirement per 1 cup serving. Potassium is vital for the proper functioning of all cells, organs and tissues in your body. Too much potassium in your blood is known as hyperkalemia, which might lead to irregular heartbeat, nausea and fatigue. Hyperkalemia is unlikely to occur simply from diet alone, however if you have diabetes, or other illnesses affecting kidney function, you are at a higher risk of developing this condition. Speak with your doctor before using bananas to treat neuropathy.
Vitamin C
The recommended daily intake of vitamin C, or absorbic acid, is 60 milligrams and a 1 cup serving of bananas offers you 33 percent of that amount.The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends you do not exceed 2,000 milligrams as stomach upset and diarrhea may occur. Vitamin C is important in promoting the health of your immune system, healing damage and aiding the absorption of iron. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it The Linus Pauling Institute reports animal studies have found vitamin C therapy diminishes symptoms neuropathy.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin C; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; 2006
- Medline Plus: Hyperkalemia
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin C for the Treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease; Davide Pareyson, M.D.
- Peer Trainer: Banana
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine); Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D.
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Potassium; Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D.
- Purdue University; Banana; J. Morton; 1987
- MayoClinic.com; Peripheral Neuropathy; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin C – Overview; David Zieve, M.D., M.H.A. et al.
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B-6
