9 Health Benefits of Bananas

Who needs three cups of coffee or a sugary chocolate bar for an afternoon pick me up when you have bananas?!

Bananas boast an instant, sustained, and substantial boost of energy.

In fact, just two bananas a day can give a person the necessary energy to get through a full 90-minute workout. Bananas contain three natural sugars- sucrose, fructose, and glucose and have a decent amount of fiber as well.

Yet, energy and fiber aren’t the only ways bananas are good for you. They can help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions when they’re added to your daily diet. Let’s take a look!

9 Healthy Benefits to Eating Bananas

1. Anemia. Because bananas are high in iron they aid in the production of the blood part hemoglobin which helps prevent anemia.
2. Constipation. Bananas are high in fiber which can help restore normal bowel movement naturally and reduce or remove the need for laxatives.
3. Depression. While bananas alone cannot cure depression, they can help reduce the symptoms significantly! According to a recent survey, people suffering from depression felt better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain the protein Tryptophan which is converted in the body to Serotonin (the happy chemical). Serotonin is known to help you relax, improve your mood and just overall help you feel better/happier.
4. Heartburn. Eating bananas have a natural antacid effect on the body. Eating one when you have heartburn is known to have a soothing effect without reaching for the chalky antacid tablets.
5. High Blood Pressure. Because bananas are so effective in helping reduce blood pressure the FDA has allowed the banana industry to claim this on their websites, labels, and commercials. The reason for this is they are extremely high in potassium and low in salt. This is a great way to naturally reduce a person’s blood pressure and significantly lower their risk of stroke.
6. Morning Sickness. Because bananas are high in potassium they help with morning sickness. Snacking on them throughout the day can also help maintain blood sugar levels.
7. Nerves. Bananas are high in B vitamins which helps calm the nervous system and relieve anxiety.
8. PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome). The vitamin B6 in bananas helps with balancing blood sugar, which can affect your mood and the potassium and magnesium they contain can also help with easing menstrual cramps as well.
9. Strokes. According to the FDA making bananas a daily part of your diet can lower your risk of death by stroke by nearly 40%!

While these are just a few reasons to start eating one, or a few, bananas a day. The truth is there a MANY! Start adding at least one a day to your diet and see the differences they make in a week, a month, and even a year! They may not be apparent quickly, but over time they definitely add up. The longer you make it a habit of eating healthy things the more benefits are going to become apparent.