Bananas were believed to be first domesticated by farmers in Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea. Nowadays, there are at least 107 countries all over the world where people grow bananas, mainly for their fruits.
The little fruit, which is neatly packed in a yellow or green jacket, is often in elongated and curved shape. They offer you not only a delicious sweet taste but also an array of benefits for your health thanks to the rich source of nutrients and vitamins such as fiber, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6 and various antioxidants and phytonutrients.
The regular consumption of banana everyday gives you much more benefits than you expected.
1. Weight loss
In the journey to get a fitted body, what makes people hate the most is hunger or sugar cravings. Some can forget about the hungers, some cannot endure them then rush to find something to eat. Banana is what they are longing for since it not only makes you feel full but also perfectly fits to your weight-loss diet.
According to a research, the calories in a 6-inch banana equal about one-fourth of the calories of a chocolate candy bar. Additionally, half of the fiber content in bananas is soluble.
After digesting bananas, soluble fiber absorbs water and slows digestion, which holds food in your stomach for a while. Eat a banana before every lunch then you will not feel like to eat any more.
2. Reduce Stress
Whenever you get stress from work or daily life, a banana will be a great company to make you feel better. It is not because it makes you feel full, but due to the amino acid tryptophan in bananas, which is converted into serotonin lately. Proper serotonin levels function to improve your mood and reduce stress, thus you will look better and happier. This substance also benefits your quality of your sleep.
Although banana is not the highest source of tryptophan, it is among the easiest way to get.
3. Skin treatment
Not only the fruit but also its peel can be used to benefit people, especially when it comes to skin conditions. It would be incomplete if your list of treatments for acne or psoriasis lacks banana peels.
Simply rubbed the inside of fresh banana peels over the affected area then rinse of with lukewarm water. Do this before bed to avoid banana smell when going out.
Also, banana peels are often used to heal warts. Do the same as above but leave the peel over the wart overnight. Repeat everyday for at least one week.
4. Aid digestion
It is found out that most of us do not get enough of fiber, which helps the digested food move smoothly through the digestive tract. Meanwhile bananas are well known for its rich source of dietary fiber, thus you’d better choose bananas over any medicine to treat occasional constipation.
Besides, bananas also contain large amount of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), which is known as a helpful agent that make nutrients be absorbed more efficiently.
5. Heart health
We are living in the era where the heart disease becomes the worst but popular concern of people. Fortunately, if we are all fully aware of the benefits of bananas, the problem will be at least prevented. Thanks to high amount of potassium and antioxidants in bananas, the risk of heart disease will be decreased. Consume at least 2 bananas per day to lower 26% rish of heart disease.
6. Hangover cure
Whenever you get hangover, immediately resort to bananas as a cure to come back the sober state.
Use a blender to make the smooth of bananas, some berries, and coconut milk. It would be a good beverage for hangover.
7. Good for Ulcers
Since the compounds in bananas can create a protection inside the stomach, it can help fight against hydrochloric acid and eradicate certain bacteria, which lead to stomach ulcers later.
8. Eye health
Although bananas contain just a small amount of vitamin A, they partly contribute to protecting your eyes and vision. An adequate amount of vitamin A intake everyday lessens your risk of blindness and improves your vision. Therefore, to keep your eyes healthy, do not forget bananas in your daily diet.
9. Energy boost
There must be a reason for the fact that athletes often have bananas during their sports. According to researchers, the natural compounds in bananas function as an energy boost, providing a good stable energy to people. Specifically, the natural compounds in bananas include a great source of vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin C, magnesium and manganese. Besides, there is also a small amount of minerals such as iron, selenium, iodine, etc. in this yellow fruit.
For those who worry about blood sugar, vitamin B6 is particularly involved in maintaining proper blood sugar levels, and enhancing the immune systems in your body.
A banana is an ideal snack for your afternoon work or after gym to boost your energy without fear of gaining weight.
10. Bananas help better sex
Another surprising benefit of bananas is to improve sexual function and performance of men since they are particularly high in bromelain and vitamin B, which are essential to enhance sexual desire and function and overall virility.
All you need to do is consume bananas few hours before your planned romantic date.
