Do Bananas Help With Muscle Cramps & What Else Will Help?

Muscle cramps are a term used for an involuntary and sudden movement of one or more muscles.¹

Deficiency or lack of electrolytes like magnesium, potassium and calcium can cause muscle cramps.¹ Electrolytes can transmit the electric messages through the body. A compromise in their function would mean that the messages are not transmitted properly and as a result muscle cramps develop. Supplying the body with these electrolytes can treat the problem of muscle cramps in many cases. These minerals are present in ample amounts in a banana. Hence, doctors do recommend eating bananas when you suffer from issues of muscle cramps. While it can replete your quota of electrolytes in the body, thus preventing it from muscle cramps, it is not necessary that it provide relief in acute muscle cramping. Nevertheless, people with muscle cramps problem do benefit by eating bananas as a part of their regular diet.

There is about 420 mg of potassium in an average sized banana, which is just under 10% of the recommended daily value for potassium. In case your diet is low in potassium, eating a banana each day can help you boost your potassium intake.² If the muscle cramps are caused by electrolyte imbalance, eating a banana every day can help to regain the disturbed balance.

Apart from banana, there are other foods that are beneficial in muscle cramps-

• Sweet potatoes are also a great source of potassium, magnesium and calcium
• Sweet potatoes contain six times more calcium than that is present in bananas
• Regular potatoes are also rich in all three of these nutrients. Also, they have a lot of water content and hence, can keep you hydrated as well

• This fruit has about 975 mg of potassium, almost double of that in a banana or a sweet potato
• These can be used in salads and sandwiches to help boost your potassium intake
• However, they contain a lot of fats and calories. Hence, keep that in mind while consuming avocados

• Beans and lentils are full of magnesium
• Also, they are rich in fibers
• Fiber can help you in keeping muscle cramps at bay and so can magnesium. So, lentils are worth a try

• Melons contain a lot of potassium, a decent amount of calcium and magnesium, a little sodium
• Melons also contain loads of water, which can also do the job of keeping you hydrated

• Watermelons contain about 90% water
• When in need of a snack for hydration, but not many calories, watermelon is your best option
• Being a melon, it is also high in potassium, but less than other varieties of melon

• Milk contains calcium, potassium and sodium
• It also contains protein and keeps you hydrated
• All these can provide good protection against muscle cramps

• Green vegetables and leafy greens are rich sources of calcium and magnesium
• So, they can be good in preventing muscle cramps
• Also, because of high levels of calcium in them, they can prevent you from muscle cramps too

• Citrus juices are quite hydrating
• They also contain a lot of potassium and decent amounts of calcium and magnesium ³

• Nuts and seeds contain loads of magnesium
• Many of them are great sources of potassium and calcium as well

• Tomatoes have a good water content
• They are quite high in potassium and can thus help in preventing muscle cramps

• Keep your self well hydrated throughout the day
• Enough water intake can ensure that you do not become dehydrated and lose on that important supply of electrolytes
• This can help a great deal in prevention of muscle cramps.

Bananas contain great amounts of all three minerals that are useful in prevention of muscle cramps-potassium, magnesium and calcium. Thus, a regular use of bananas can help in preventing muscle cramps in the long run.

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Also Read:

• Muscle Cramps: Causes, Signs, Symptoms and Types of Muscle Cramps
• Causes of Muscle Cramps After Heavy Exercise & Ways to Get Rid of It
• How Do You Get Rid Of Muscle Cramps Fast?
• Are There Any Complications For Muscle Cramps?
• Does A Hot Bath Help Muscle Cramps?
• Does Vitamin E Help Muscle Cramps?
• Is Hot Water Good For Muscle Cramps?