Bananas are packed with potassium
One medium banana contains 422 milligrams of potassium, or about 12 percent of your daily value of the mineral, according to the National Institutes of Health. Your body needs plenty of potassium to operate normally. This electrolyte helps your muscles contract, nerves function, move nutrients into cells (and waste out of them), regulate your heartbeat, and regulate sodium in your body.
Bananas help keep you hydrated
Potassium helps regulate the balance of fluids in your body, especially the electrolytes you lose (like sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium) after a sweaty workout. Moderate to intense activity can cause small cellular changes in potassium, and athletes are encouraged to eat potassium-rich foods to counteract these imbalances, according to the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
