Antioxidant and anti-atherosclerotic potential of Banana (Musa spp): A review of biological mechanisms for prevention and protection against atherosclerosis.

Abstract

To review the antioxidant and anti-atherosclerotic potential of whole banana, banana flour, and its bioactive compounds. A non-systematic review of the literature covering the past 20 years, using the following databases and searching bases: PUBMED/MEDLINE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/; Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com.br/; and "Literatura Latinoamericana em Ciências da Saúde"/Latin American Literature in Life Sciences [LILACS]: http://lilacs.bvsalud.org/, was done. Studies with incomplete methodology and design were excluded. Bananas from different species are a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, potassium, carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin C and E, phytosterols, gallocatechin, catechin, and other polyphenols. Some of these compounds play trigger important biological roles as antioxidants or anti-atherosclerotic and cardiovascular protective substances. This review summarizes and explains thirteen protective biological mechanisms of banana bioactive compounds and banana products. Including banana and its products in dietary menus, in food products and nutraceuticals should improve cardiovascular health of the populations.