20 Amazing Health Benefits Of The Humble Banana
What Health Benefits Lie Beneath The Peel?
Bananas are a portable, inexpensive, everyday fruit. While they may seem simple and unremarkable, they're actually a powerhouse of nutrients, packed with fiber, potassium, and antioxidants that support your overall health in a myriad of ways. From boosting your energy to staving off diseases, here are 20 unexpected health benefits of the world's most common fruit.
1. Aids Digestion
Bananas have long been a home remedy for digestive issues. They contain a type of dietary fiber called pectin that's especially good for supporting regular bowel movements.
2. Aids In Weight Loss
Bananas are naturally filling and high in fiber, which keeps you feeling fuller for longer. They're also low in calories and are naturally sweet, so they can replace sugar in several contexts.
3. Contain Antioxidants
Bananas are high in antioxidants, which fight off free radicals and stave off disease. They're especially high in vitamin C, dopamine, and catechins, all of which have anti-aging properties.
4. Enhances The Immune System
Bananas are rich in vitamin C, which strengthens your immune cells. They also contain vitamin B6, which plays a key role in the production of antibodies.
5. Promotes Gut Health
Bananas contain prebiotics, which feed the healthy bacteria in your gut. They're also rich in fiber, which helps keep you regular, and are low in acid, making them gentle on the stomach.
6. May Improve Mood
Bananas are rich in vitamin B6, which plays a role in the production of happiness chemicals dopamine and serotonin. Their natural sugar and fiber content also prevents blood sugar crashes, which can cause mood swings.
Jacqueline Munguía on Unsplash
7. Improves Sleep
Bananas contain magnesium, which has relaxation effects. They're also high in vitamin B6, which plays a role in the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone.
8. Supports The Brain
Bananas help boost cognition because they contain several brain-supporting nutrients. They contain vitamin B6, which is crucial for the production of neurotransmitters that support attention and memory, and they also contain antioxidants that protect brain cells.
9. Energizes You
Bananas are an excellent natural energy booster because of their natural sugar content. They contain carbs, your body's main energy source, but their high fiber content prevents energy crashes.
10. Helps Regulate Blood Sugar
Bananas can help regulate blood sugar levels because of their high fiber content. Less ripe bananas also contain a type of starch that's not digested in the small intestine and slows glucose absorption.
11. Prevents Muscle Cramps
Bananas are an excellent food for active people because they prevent muscle cramps and spasms. The potassium and magnesium content in bananas relax muscles and replace electrolytes.
12. Supports The Heart
The potassium in bananas supports the heart by regulating blood sugar and balancing sodium levels in the body. They also contain fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol levels, and antioxidants, which protect the heart from disease.
13. Aids In The Production of Red Blood Cells
Bananas aid in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and remove carbon dioxide from the tissues. Vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, and copper all contribute to your body's ability to synthesize red blood cells.
14. Supports The Bones
Bananas support strong and healthy bones thanks to their potassium content, which helps retain calcium in the bones. Vitamin C in bananas also promotes bone health by producing collagen, one of your skeleton's main proteins.
15. Is Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is the cause of many chronic illnesses, including arthritis and certain cancers. Bananas help keep inflammation down thanks to their vitamin B6 and antioxidant properties.
16. Contains Beneficial Nutrients
Bananas are rich in several nutrients that promote overall health. These include vitamin B6, magnesium, fiber, copper, manganese, potassium, and vitamin C, among others.
17. Reduces Bloating
Bananas can help reduce bloating by supporting healthy digestion. They also contain prebiotics, which minimize the buildup of gas, and are low in acid, making them a soothing food, even for those with stomach issues.
18. Soothes Itchy Bug Bites
The health benefits of bananas go beyond the internal; they can even be used topically to soothe itchy bug bites. The inside of the banana peel contains anti-inflammatory compounds, while the moist and soft texture of the flesh can feel good on the skin.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Unsplash
19. Improves Athletic Performance
Bananas are a popular choice for athletes due to their energy boosting qualities. They're also rich in potassium and magnesium, which provide electrolytes and prevent muscle cramps.
20. May Support Oral Health
The vitamin C in bananas is good for more than just your skin; it also protects the gums. Bananas' potassium supports strong teeth, and the fibers in bananas may also help reduce the formation of plaque.
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