Why a Banana a Day May Keep the Doctor Away
Such a simple fruit, the banana is often overlooked when it comes to "superfoods" or being part of a healthy diet. But it turns out that bananas should be at the top of your shopping list to experience all of its health and wellness benefits.
Here are the top 5 health and wellness benefits of eating bananas:
1. Reducing depression
Bananas contain an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan is used in the production of serotonin in the brain which regulates and elevates mood. It is similar to what happens when you exercise. That good feeling you get after exercise comes from the release of endorphins. So, just as exercise is a mood regulator, so is the humble banana.
2. Relieving Iron deficiency anemia
Many active women have iron deficiencies. This is mostly due to the loss of iron during the menstrual cycle and lack of iron in the diet. But, there is good news: bananas are very high in iron. This is good information no matter why your body is low in iron. For those of you who are able to donate blood to the American Red Cross, many times your blood is tested before you can donate to see if your iron levels are high enough. If it isn't, for your health and safety, you are not allowed to donate blood. Keep your kitchen stocked with bananas and you'll be able to donate blood and perhaps relieve an iron deficiency at the same time. It's better than having to take a supplement.
3. Reduction of high blood pressure
If you have been put on a special diet to reduce your high blood pressure, it most likely involves a heavy reduction in sodium but probably doesn't include a healthy amount of bananas. The FDA has recently allowed the banana industry to make claims as to the banana's ability to reduce blood pressure. How does this happen? Bananas are extremely high in potassium and low in sodium. This combination and ratio of nutrients allow for regulation of blood pressure and can help keep yours low and in control.
4. A boost for your immune system
There are many ways in which our immune systems are compromised on a daily basis. Whether that is from stress or an illness, when your immune system is compromised, it can lead to many other health problems. How do you help boost your immune system? By taking advantage of the vitamin B6 naturally found in bananas. Remember how we said that bananas help in the production of serotonin? That is because of the vitamin B6. Not only does this vitamin help your body produce serotonin, but it also essential to creating antibodies to boost immune system response. All this will help your body better respond to stress and be more resistant to illness.
5. A much needed fiber boost
Another great thing about bananas is the high amount of dietary fiber available in just one medium-sized banana. The dietary fiber in one banana serving is about 16% of what a normal adult needs in a day. That is very high for any fruit. Many people lack a proper amount of fiber in their diets causing constipation and a build up of toxins in the body. By providing your body with more dietary fiber, the fiber from the bananas and other foods high in fiber will help you feel more full and relieve constipation by pushing the toxins out of your digestive system. When that occurs, you may experience weight loss and reduced cravings due to the increase of fiber.
Those are just the top 5 health and wellness benefits of eating bananas. There are plenty more and the great thing is that bananas are relatively low-cost and readily available. Whether or not your choose organic bananas, be sure to include them in your diet to experience these and many other health and wellness benefits and create a well-balanced diet.