The simple banana is one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world. And with good reason! Besides being tasty, inexpensive and easy to eat on the go, bananas are incredibly nutritious. A wide variety of health benefits are liked to the funny looking fruit. Bananas are high in potassium and pectin, a form of fiber. Plus, they can also be a good way to get magnesium and vitamins C and B6. Want to know more about this tropical-tree fruit? Read on:
Bananas aid in digestion and weight loss
Bananas are rich in fiber, which can help keep you regular. One banana can provide nearly 10 percent of your daily fiber requirement. The Vitamin B6 found in bananas can also help protect against Type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss, And because they taste sweet and are filling, they help curb cravings. The fruit is also particularly high in resistant starch, another form of dietary fiber. A 2017 review published in Nutrition Bulletin found that the resistant starch in bananas may support gut health and control blood sugar. Resistant starch increases the production of short chain fatty acids in the gut, which are necessary to gut health.
Bananas are good for your heart
Another upside to the high potassium content in bananas: it may help regulate blood pressure. Research shows that eating lots of potassium is associated with significantly lower blood pressure levels and a decreased risk of stroke. That’s because potassium helps flush excess heart-stressing sodium from your body through your urine, reducing the potential damage it may have on your heart.
Bananas fuel your workout
Bananas provide an easily digestible source of carbohydrates, the preferential fuel during exercise. And for replenishing energy and electrolytes, bananas can be more effective than sports drinks, thanks to their antioxidants, fiber, potassium and vitamin B6. Have a Charley house? Incorporating potassium-rich foods (like, say, bananas) into your diet can help soothe achy muscles and maybe even prevent you from cramping up in the first place.
Beauty benefits of bananas
Bananas aren’t just good for the inside of your body – they can help your outside appearance as well. For example, when mashed and applied like a conditioner, bananas can soften hair and preserve its elasticity. Bananas are the secret to well moisturized skin, too. The vitamin A in bananas restores moisture and repairs dry skin. Mash a ripe banana and apply it to dry skin, avoiding contact with your eyes. Leave on for 20-25 minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water for instantly moisturized skin. Or treat acne by rubbing the inside of the peel on the affected area for approximately five minutes (until the peel turns brown). Repeat this process three times a day for clearer skin. And lastly, Beauty gurus claim that rubbing mashed banana underneath the eyes can help reduce puffiness. That’s because the potassium in bananas reportedly limits fluid retention. Worth a shot, don’t you think?
The benefits of the banana peel
