Bananas are a common food staple. I like having them around so my daughter can have a healthy, filling snack when she is feeling a bit hungry, and it looks like I am not the only one.
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| Credit:ahealthysnacks.com |
About 96% of American households purchase bananas at least once a month, and the average person consumes 27 pounds of bananas a year!
NOW THAT IS A LOT OF BANANAS!
Sadly, most people are completely unaware of the amazing health benefits bananas naturally have. Bananas contain the following: potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, protein, and iron. The sugars found in bananas are all natural glucose, fructose, and sucrose which are good sugars to consume. They also have significant levels of both dopamine and catechin, both of which act as antioxidants.
Best of all, the riper the banana, the higher the benefits. Black-spotted bananas have even been shown to help the body fight cancer.
“Japanese researchers have proven that ripe bananas [help] fight cancer. As your banana ripens, its antioxidant levels rise, strengthening your immune system and increasing your white blood cells! In fact, ripe bananas are eight times as effective as their younger green siblings when it comes to elevating the cancer-fighting potential of white blood cells.”
THIS IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU EAT TWO BLACK-SPOTTED BANANAS A DAY FOR ONE MONTH!
LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Potassium is known for its ability to lower blood pressure. It does this by balancing out the effects of salt. The body needs a balance of both sodium and potassium in order to keep blood pressure at a healthy level.
HEART PROTECTION
The fiber, potassium, Vitamin C and Vitamin B6 found in bananas are excellent for heart health. Potassium consumption of 4,069 mg a day has been directly linked to a 49% lower risk of ischemic heart disease, compared to those who only consumed about 1,000 mg. Bananas also reduce the chance of having a stroke!
Because bananas are a good source of fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C, they are an excellent food choice for those with diabetes. High-fiber diets have been shown to improve insulin levels, which makes bananas an excellent choice. However, the carbohydrates found in bananas need to be carefully recorded.
IMPROVED DIGESTION
Bananas have the ability to combat heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation. This is because they are an easy food to digest. However, it should also be noted that 1% of those who suffer from acid reflux find that bananas aggravate the problem. (They don’t work for everyone.)
IMPROVED MOOD AND MEMORY
“Bananas might be the world’s most perfect brain food. By supplying nutrients essential for proper neurological functioning, bananas help the brain regulate mood and appetite while also supporting important cognitive functions like focus and memory.”
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