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5 health benefits of bananas
Bananas are one of
those fruits I eat everyday, and when I say everyday, I really can't remember
that last time I left home for work without one. Not only are they a great mid
morning snack, but bananas can offer our bodies a wide range of amazing natural
benefits.
Belonging to the genus
Musa Bananas are native to Indonesia and Malaysia but had spread across most
of the globe by the early 14 hundreds. Now days, bananas are one of the most popular
fruits worldwide and with good reason, these carb filled fruits offer us a
wide range of nutritional benefits.
Top uses of bananas:
- Fight
depression: We all get a
little down from time to time, it’s to be expected, but next time you're feeling down in the dumps reach for a banana. Bananas contain vitamins B6
an essential vitamin used by our bodies in the production of serotonin.
Bananas also contain high levels of serotonin in the fruit its self, but
this is not thought to be able to pass the blood brain barrier.
- Bananas
help with digestion: The
high fiber content of bananas helps to keep things regular and their
powerful prebiotic action stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the
intestinal track. Bananas are also good for people suffering from an upset
stomach as the restore lost electrolytes.
- Mental
alertness: Ever find yourself having a hard time concentrating? Or maybe you get the mid afternoon
dip where you struggle to stay awake? Either way bananas can help. The high
potassium content of bananas makes them great stimulants by increasing our
body’s ability to deliver oxygen to the brain.
- Great
for pregnant women: Bananas
have long been used by pregnant women as a way of combating morning
sickness, in addition they are
known to help regulate body temperature and are used by many native
cultures for this reason.
- Soothes
bug bites: I thought this
one sounded kinda crazy at first, but trust me it works! You know those
nasty bug bites that just won’t stop itching? Well, simply rub the inside
of a banana peal across effected area and allow it to work for around 5
minutes, this will not only stop the nasty itching but reduce swelling and
redness as well.
Best ways to include bananas in your diet?
For me this isn’t hard
at all, I love bananas and regularly east up to 5 a day, but for some people
that simply isn’t an option, whether it’s the texture or the taste that puts
you off there are still ways to include bananas in your diet that offer all the
benefits and taste great.
Smoothies are all the
rage currently with new bars opening up in high streets around the country
offering high quality yet over priced drinks, however this may not be the best
option for you. I would strongly advise buying a decent blender for your
kitchen, not a day goes by that mine isn’t in action. To make a great tasting
banana smoothie all you need is a small bunch of bananas around a glass of milk
and I love to add a handful of frozen berries these not only add amazing taste
but help to cool down the mixture making it perfect for a hot summer’s day.
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