Bananas are considered the number one food for athletes because of the amazing medley of nutrients these contain. Apart from providing an almost instantaneous energy boost, bananas can also be used for the treatment of numerous health problems.
Think about it – eating bananas can help you combat the symptoms of PMS, bone mass, constipation, heartburn and digestive problems. Also, bananas can make your bones so much stronger.
Eating more bananas will keep you healthy, on top of giving you enough energy to complete an intense 90-minute workout session. The consumption of just three bananas per day will give you the impressive 1,500 milligrams of potassium. So, want to know why you should be eating more bananas? Here are the top reasons and the main health advantages you’ll experience.
① Prevents Cardiovascular Events:
Potassium is also the key to strong heart and a healthy cardiovascular system. Eating one banana with each of your daily meals can significantly reduce the risk of suffering of blood clots in the brain.
Researchers from Britain and Italy published their findings in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. They examined the results of dozens of studies, going back to the mid-1960s. The daily intake of approximately 1,500 milligrams of potassium per day reduced the risk of stroke by one-fifth!
The average banana contains around 500 milligrams of potassium, which is great for regulating blood pressure and maintaining the optimal balance of fluids in the body. According to some other studies, banana consumption can decrease the risk of having a stroke by nearly 40 percent.
② Bananas Help Boost Bone Mass:
Potassium is an essential micro-element for boosting bone mass. A recent University of California, San Francisco study suggests that the consumption of three bananas per day is sufficient to counteract the negative effects of a diet that is high in salt.
This unhealthy diet is a common cause of bone decay. Think that dairy is the only option for improving bone health? Think again! Potassium protects bones against the loss of calcium, even if you consume a lot of salts.
③ Counteracting Depression:
Individuals that suffer from depression experience some improvement in their condition after the consumption of a banana.
Bananas contain tryptophan – a protein that plays a role in serotonin synthesis. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for relaxation, improvements in mood and a general sense of wellbeing.
④ Reducing the Symptoms of PMS:
Do you experience cramping, breast tenderness, cravings and mood swings before having your period? The symptoms of PMS can range from mildly irritating to seriously interfering with your everyday activities. So, forget the pills – eat a banana.
The banana contains sufficient quantities of vitamin B6, which is essential for blood sugar level regulation. Maintaining steady blood sugar is, in fact, an essential for preventing mood swings and maintaining your hormone balance.
⑤ An Efficient Remedy for Anemia:
Bananas contain sufficient quantities of iron to stimulate the production of hemoglobin. Individuals suffering from anemia should certainly consider eating three bananas per day in an attempt to overcome the health problem.
⑥ Regulate Blood Pressure:
A diet that is low in potassium and high in salt can easily contribute to high blood pressure.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the consumption of bananas is a viable option for reducing the high blood level and maintaining it within a healthy range.
⑦ More Brain Power:
The banana can give you much more than just energy. It can also help you focus and perform challenging mental tasks.
An experiment involving school students was carried out in Middlesex. The 200 volunteers were given a banana snack three times per day. Researchers found out that the bananas made the students much more alert, which resulted in a faster and easier learning process.
⑧ Constipation:
Suffering from constipation? Perhaps you’re not consuming sufficient quantities of dietary fiber. Eating three bananas per day can help you restore normal bowel movements and stop relying on laxatives.
Bananas are also great for the individuals suffering from heartburn. The banana acts as a natural antacid, which will lead to almost immediate relief from heartburn.
Finally, a banana is an excellent natural remedy for ulcers. It has a soft texture, which facilitates digestions without irritating the intestines. Even individuals suffering from a chronic condition can consume bananas without experiencing irritation.
In fact, it’s the only fruit permissible for such individuals. Apart from being non-irritating, the banana neutralizes excessive acidity that is tremendously problematic for ulcer sufferers.
⑨ Anti-Hangover Remedy:
A banana smoothie is perfect for the morning after a wild party. Since it calms the stomach, the banana is great against hangovers. Add a bit of honey to the smoothie, in order to replenish your blood sugar.
⑩ Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
⑪ Reduce Morning Sickness:
As already mentioned, the banana is non-irritating and it can regulate blood sugar levels. These two combined effects make it the perfect snack for pregnant ladies that experience morning sickness.
⑫ Relief from Mosquito Bites:
Rub the inside of the banana skin on a mosquito or a bug bite that you have. The active ingredients in the banana peel will quickly reduce the swelling and the itchiness. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
⑬ Reduced Nervousness:
As a fruit high in vitamins from the B group, bananas can be excellent for calming down and reducing nervousness.
⑭ Overweight and at work?
Individuals that work at a high-stress position are likely to munch on unhealthy snacks throughout the day. As a result, such individuals are likely to accumulate excess weight.
Want to enjoy snacks at work and still maintain a healthy weight? Eat a banana instead of the regular cookies or crackers. The banana will stabilize your blood sugar levels, enabling you to control cravings.
⑮ Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
⑯ Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
⑰ Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Remedy :
Bananas are rich in tryptophan, which is considered a natural mood enhancer. This is why bananas can be used for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
⑱ Quit Smoking:
Trying to quit smoking? Bananas can make this task easier. The B vitamins, magnesium and potassium contained in the fruit reduce the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
⑲ Remedy against Stress:
The potassium in bananas regulates the heartbeat and improves the oxygenation of the brain. As a result, a banana can help decrease stress. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
⑳ Get Rid of Warts:
Place the inside of a banana peel on a wart and use surgical tape to keep it there for a longer period of time. This is a certain and natural possibility for getting rid of warts.
As Effective As Gatorade
You don’t need to consume energy drinks and the beverages designed for the needs of athletes. Research suggests that a banana is equally energizing, even if you are practicing an incredibly intense sport.
Bananas Won’t Make You Fat
Some people worry about getting fat because of banana consumption. The fruits have a relatively bad reputation and there are claims that they can contribute to weight gain.
An average banana contains solely 108 calories and 17.5 grams of carbohydrates. The fruit is an excellent source of both simple sugars and starch. It also contains sufficient quantities of dietary fiber, which is essential for improving digestion and maintaining a healthy weight.
Bananas can be used to control cravings and hunger, which turns them in an ideal snack for people trying to lose weight. Also, the banana is an excellent type of pre-workout food.
A banana can easily be incorporated into a healthy diet. Get in the habit of consuming anywhere between one and three bananas per day, to experience the benefits.
Naturally, portion control is the actual answer to avoiding weight gain; that’s why you have to stick to an overall healthy meal plan to maintain your ideal weight and improve your health through the consumption of bananas.
Some ppl believe that eating bananas can control diebetes.what do u say???
Thanks for sharing beauty tips.it helped a lot.
Could you suggest something to gain weight please???
Thank you so much..more power to this page and have a great tips ahead!
Its very interesting. Plz keep on updating us…
Is it true eating banana daily helps u gain weight !