Bananas are easy to carry, cheap and delicious. They are among the most loved fruits within the United States and amongst the most popular around the globe. The bananas are rich in manganese, vitamin B6, Vitamin C biotin, potassium, copper fiber, and all nine amino acids with many nutrients and are unquestionably healthful. Are you still not convinced that you should take more bananas? Read on to find out the surprising health benefits of bananas.
1. They protect against high blood pressure
The FDA officially recognizes the potential for bananas to lower your blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Bananas are loaded with potassium, and potassium reduces the adverse effects of sodium on blood pressure.
2. They can help you sleep
Bananas are rich in vitamin B6, which is important for producing the hormone melatonin. Melatonin plays a key role in keeping your internal clock on track, and healthy melatonin production helps you fall asleep fast and stay asleep.
3. They promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut
Probiotics are bacteria that live in your digestive tract, boosting health and helping your body fight disease. Probiotics survive on a diet of prebiotics, fiber that is not digested by humans. Bananas contain such prebiotics, so eating them regularly can help increase the number of the healthy bacteria in your gut, resulting in fewer gastrointestinal issues and better overall digestive health.
Also Read: Japanese Bananna Diet
4. They can protect against kidney cancer
A diet high in fruits and vegetables can reduce your risk of developing kidney cancer, and the association between banana consumption and cancer risk is especially strong. Studies have found that eating four or more bananas a week can decrease your risk of kidney cancer by 50%.
5. They are a natural antacid
Bananas coat your stomach, neutralize stomach acid, and relieve heart burn. Because they are a gentle, soft food, they are easy to eat when experiencing stomach discomfort. Bananas can even relieve pain associated with stomach ulcers.
6. They improve your mood and combat depression
Bananas contain an amino acid called tryptophan, which helps your brain produce serotonin. Serotonin is an important brain compound that improves mood and promotes feelings of safety, confidence, and relaxation. Several studies have shown that a depletion of tryptophan can make depression worse, while increasing tryptophan levels has a significant positive effect on depression.
7. They can help you lose weight
Bananas contain resistant starches that the body resists digesting. Since they remain in your system longer, resistant starches make you feel fuller for longer and encourage you to eat fewer calories. The greener the banana, the more resistant starches it contains, so reach for a slightly unripe one if you are trying to lose weight.
8. They boost energy and reduce muscle cramps during exercise
A 2012 study showed that endurance cyclists who consumed bananas during a 3-hour race experienced the same energy boosts as cyclists who consumed sports drinks. The mix of vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates in bananas helps fuel workouts, and the high level of potassium can alleviate muscle cramps caused by exercise.
9. They can help with a hangover
If you find yourself waking up after a night of excess with a headache, nausea, and grogginess, have a banana for breakfast. Alcohol causes increased urination, which leads to dehydration and electrolyte loss. Replace the lost potassium with a banana to help alleviate the symptoms of a hangover.
10. The peel is packed with nutrients
Most people in the West throw out banana peels, but in Southeast Asia and India they are cooked and eaten. Banana peels contain potassium, more soluble and insoluble fiber than the fruit itself, and lutein (an amino acid that helps protect your eyes from UV rays). However, always thoroughly wash the peel before cooking it, removing any traces of pesticides used in the growing process.
