Skip to main content

Bananas, raw

Fruits Per 100 g · Per 100g serving
Data sources: 34 Foundation 63 SR Legacy

Bananas, raw is a fruit at 97.0 calories per 100g. This fruit is virtually fat-free. Fruits are naturally rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. They are an important part of a balanced diet and contribute to daily micronutrient needs. Our database tracks 97 nutrients for this food, plus glycemic index, insulin index, polyphenol profile, environmental footprint data.

97.0
Calories
kcal
0.74
Protein
g
0.29
Fat
g
23.0
Carbs
g
1.7
Fiber
g

Top Nutrients

💪
Carbohydrate
23.0 g
18% DV
☀️
Vitamin B6
0.21 mg
16% DV
☀️
Vitamin C
12.3 mg
14% DV

Data for 97 of 150 tracked nutrients

Nutrient Fingerprint

How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.

Complete Nutrient Profile

Macronutrients 11
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Water Foundation75.3g
2%
Calories Foundation97.0kcal
Energy (kJ) Foundation408kj
Protein Foundation0.74g
1%
Total Fat Foundation0.29g
Carbohydrate Foundation23.0g
18%
Fiber Foundation1.7g
4%
Total Sugars Foundation15.8g
Total Sugars SR12.2g
Starch Foundation3.7g
Ash Foundation0.70g
Minerals 11
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Calcium Foundation5.0mg
0%
Iron Foundation0mg
Magnesium Foundation28.0mg
7%
Phosphorus Foundation22.0mg
3%
Potassium Foundation326mg
10%
Sodium Foundation0mg
Zinc Foundation0.16mg
2%
Copper Foundation0.10mg
11%
Manganese Foundation0.26mg
11%
Selenium Foundation0µg
Fluoride SR2.2µg
0%
Vitamins 35
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Vitamin A (RAE) Foundation1.0µg
0%
Vitamin A (IU) SR3.0IU
Retinol SR0µg
Beta-Carotene Foundation8.0µg
Alpha-Carotene Foundation7.0µg
Beta-Cryptoxanthin Foundation0µg
Lycopene SR0µg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR22.0µg
Vitamin C Foundation12.3mg
14%
Vitamin D SR0µg
Vitamin D (IU) SR0IU
Vitamin E SR0.10mg
1%
Beta-Tocopherol SR0mg
Gamma-Tocopherol SR0.02mg
Delta-Tocopherol SR0.01mg
Alpha-Tocotrienol SR0.06mg
Beta-Tocotrienol SR0mg
Gamma-Tocotrienol SR0mg
Delta-Tocotrienol SR0mg
Vitamin K1 Foundation0.10µg
0%
Vitamin K1 (dihydro) Foundation0µg
Vitamin K2 (MK-4) Foundation0µg
Thiamin (B1) Foundation0.06mg
5%
Riboflavin (B2) Foundation0mg
Niacin (B3) Foundation0.66mg
4%
Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR0.33mg
7%
Vitamin B6 Foundation0.21mg
16%
Biotin (B7) Foundation0µg
Folate Foundation14.0µg
4%
Folic Acid SR0µg
Folate (food) SR20.0µg
Folate (DFE) SR20.0µg
Vitamin B12 SR0µg
Choline SR9.8mg
2%
Betaine SR0.10mg
Fatty Acids 9
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Saturated Fat SR0.11g
Monounsaturated Fat SR0.03g
Polyunsaturated Fat SR0.07g
Trans Fat SR0g
Cholesterol SR0mg
Phytosterols SR16.0mg
Omega-3 EPA SR0g
Omega-3 DPA SR0g
Omega-3 DHA SR0g
Individual Fatty Acids 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Butyric Acid (4:0) SR0g
Caproic Acid (6:0) SR0g
Caprylic Acid (8:0) SR0g
Capric Acid (10:0) SR0.001g
Lauric Acid (12:0) SR0.002g
Myristic Acid (14:0) SR0.002g
Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR0.10g
Stearic Acid (18:0) SR0.005g
Linoleic Acid (18:2) SR0.05g
0%
Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR0.03g
Amino Acids 18
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Tryptophan SR0.009g
Threonine SR0.03g
Isoleucine SR0.03g
Leucine SR0.07g
Lysine SR0.05g
Methionine SR0.008g
Cystine SR0.009g
Phenylalanine SR0.05g
Tyrosine SR0.009g
Valine SR0.05g
Arginine SR0.05g
Histidine SR0.08g
Alanine SR0.04g
Aspartic Acid SR0.12g
Glutamic Acid SR0.15g
Glycine SR0.04g
Proline SR0.03g
Serine SR0.04g
Other 3
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Caffeine SR0mg
Theobromine SR0mg
Alcohol SR0g

Nutrient Density Score

The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.

4
NRF9.3 Score
Moderate · per 100 kcal
Poor (<0) Moderate Good Excellent (100+)

NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.

Nutrient Interactions in This Food

Nutrients in this food that enhance or compete with each other during absorption.

✔ Synergies — nutrients that help each other

Vitamin B6 + Magnesium●●

Vitamin B6 may enhance intracellular magnesium accumulation. Combined supplementation has shown greater benefits for stress and anxiety than magnesium alone.

Pouteau et al., PLoS One, 2018

⚠ Antagonisms — nutrients that compete

Vitamin C vs Copper●●

High-dose vitamin C (>1,500 mg/day) may reduce copper absorption by reducing Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺, though the clinical significance at normal intakes is minimal.

Harris, Am J Clin Nutr, 2003

Amino Acid Profile

Essential amino acid composition compared to the WHO/FAO adult reference pattern. The Amino Acid Score indicates protein quality — 100 means all essential amino acid requirements are met.

104
Amino Acid Score
Complete
Met + Cys
Lowest Scoring
18
Amino Acids Tracked

✓ Complete protein — all essential amino acids meet or exceed WHO reference levels.

All Amino Acids (18)
Amino Acidg / 100gmg / g protein
Tryptophan0.00912.2
Threonine0.0337.8
Isoleucine0.0337.8
Leucine0.0791.9
Lysine0.0567.6
Methionine0.00810.8
Cystine0.00912.2
Phenylalanine0.0566.2
Tyrosine0.00912.2
Valine0.0563.5
Arginine0.0566.2
Histidine0.08104.1
Alanine0.0454.1
Aspartic Acid0.12167.6
Glutamic Acid0.15205.4
Glycine0.0451.4
Proline0.0337.8
Serine0.0454.1

How Cooking Changes Nutrients

Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Fresh Fruits” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.

Key insights
Vitamin C loses up to 30% when sautéed. Baked retains 80%.
Folate loses up to 50% when sautéed. Baked retains 60%.

Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.

USDA Retention Factors

Glycemic & Insulin Response

The Glycemic Index (GI) measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar on a 0–100 scale. The Insulin Index (II) measures the insulin response directly, which can differ from GI — notably, dairy and high-protein foods often trigger a higher insulin response than their GI suggests. White bread = 100 for both scales.

51
Glycemic Index
Low GI
13
Glycemic Load
Medium GL (per 120g)
GI Scale 51
0 Low <55 Med High ≥70 100

GI data matched from: “Banana, raw, ripe” · ●●● high confidence

81
Insulin Index
High Insulin Response
Insulin Index Scale 81
0 Low ≤30 Mod ≤60 High ≤100 120
Measured ●●● Clinically measured (Holt 1997, Bell 2014)

Source: International Tables of Glycemic Index (Sydney University, 2021) · Holt et al. 1997; Bao et al. 2016; Bell 2014

Polyphenols & Bioactive Compounds

Polyphenols are plant-derived compounds with antioxidant properties. Higher intake is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk and improved gut health.

13
Total Polyphenols
mg per 100g · Low
1
Polyphenol Classes
identified in this food
Phenolic Acids13 mg100%

Processing Impact on Polyphenols

How common cooking methods affect polyphenol content in fruits. Retention % is relative to the raw/unprocessed food.

Best Method
Freezing
95% retained
Most Loss
Juicing
52% retained
🧊
Freezing95%
Excellent retention; flash-freezing preserves structure and polyp≈12 mg
☀️
Drying82%
Moderate heat degradation offset by concentration; sun-drying ret≈11 mg
🫕
Boiling68%
Significant leaching of water-soluble flavonoids into cooking wat≈9 mg
🔥
Baking/Roasting65%
Dry heat degrades anthocyanins more than other flavonoids≈8 mg
🥫
Canning55%
Prolonged thermal treatment and water contact cause significant l≈7 mg
🧃
Juicing52%
Fiber-bound polyphenols lost with pulp; clear juices lose more th≈7 mg

Health Associations

Research-backed associations for the polyphenol classes found in this food. Evidence strength rated from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

🔵
↑ Antioxidant capacityStrong
Phenolic Acids: Chlorogenic acid (coffee) and ferulic acid (grains) show consistent antioxidant
🔵
↑ Glucose metabolismModerate
Phenolic Acids: Chlorogenic acid may slow glucose absorption and improve insulin sensitivity
⚠ Most evidence is from observational studies and in vitro research. Randomized controlled trials are limited. Individual responses vary based on gut microbiome, genetics, and overall diet. Associations do not prove causation.

Polyphenol data matched from: “Banana, raw” · ●●● high confidence

Source: Phenol-Explorer 3.6 (INRA, 2023) · Retention: Rothwell 2013, Palermo 2014 · Health: Del Bo' 2019, Grosso 2017

Environmental Impact

Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Bananas” category.

0.86
kg CO₂e / kg
Very Low Impact
1.9
m² land / kg
Land Use
115
L water / kg
Water Use
3.3
g SO₂e / kg
Acidification
How this compares (GHG emissions)
Potatoes (0.5)Chicken (9.9)Beef (99.5)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions0.86 kg CO₂e / kg
Land Use1.9 m² / kg
Water Use115 L / kg
Eutrophication3.3 g PO₄e / kg
Acidification3.3 g SO₂e / kg
⚠️ Important context about this data
  • Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
  • System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
  • Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
  • Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.

Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.

Global Supply: Fruits

Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Fruits” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.

1.
Dominican Republic
618
2.
Oman
424
3.
Uganda
422
4.
Guyana
416
5.
Sao Tome and Principe
366
6.
Saudi Arabia
352
7.
Papua New Guinea
317
8.
Dominica
308
9.
Albania
293
10.
Ghana
286

Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)

+38%
1961: 93 kcal2023: 128 kcal

Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.

Compare This Food

See how this food stacks up in detailed side-by-side comparisons.

Banana vs AppleBanana vs Orange

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Bananas, raw?

Bananas, raw contains 97.0 kcal per 100 grams, making it a moderate-calorie food. The energy comes from 0.74g of protein (3% of calories), 0.29g of fat (3%), and 23.0g of carbohydrates (95%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.

What is Bananas, raw most nutritious for?

The standout nutrient in Bananas, raw is Carbohydrate, providing 23.0 g per 100g (18% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Vitamin B6 (16% DV). Our database tracks 97 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Is Bananas, raw high in protein?

At 0.74g per 100 grams, Bananas, raw is not a significant source of protein. Pair with protein-rich foods like legumes, meat, fish, or dairy to meet daily protein needs.

How much fiber is in Bananas, raw?

Bananas, raw contains 1.7g of fiber per 100 grams, which is a small amount. To increase fiber intake, consider pairing with high-fiber foods such as legumes, whole grains, or vegetables.

What is the glycemic index of Bananas, raw?

Bananas, raw has a glycemic index of 51, which is classified as low (≤55). Low-GI foods cause a slower, more gradual rise in blood sugar levels, which may be beneficial for blood sugar management. The glycemic load, which accounts for typical serving size, provides additional context for real-world blood sugar impact.

Does Bananas, raw contain polyphenols?

Yes, Bananas, raw contains approximately 13.0 mg of polyphenols per 100g, primarily from the low class. Polyphenols are bioactive plant compounds associated with antioxidant properties. Their retention can vary with cooking and processing methods — see the processing impact section above for details.

What is the insulin index of Bananas, raw?

Bananas, raw has a high insulin response (II: 81) (clinically measured) on the insulin index scale (white bread = 100). Foods with high insulin scores stimulate significant insulin release, which may be relevant for blood sugar management. Note that the insulin index can differ substantially from the glycemic index — dairy products and high-protein foods often have higher insulin responses than their GI would suggest.