The Benefits of Bananas

Bananas are nutritious, delicious fruits that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Photo by Jenny Xu
Bananas are nutritious, delicious fruits that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Photo by Jenny Xu

Bananas are a common, well-known fruit seen everyday in the supermarket. Although many are aware of how healthy this fruit is, not everyone knows the specific benefits obtained from eating bananas.

This sweet, cream colored fruit is proven to prevent osteoporosis, a disease where the bone becomes fragile and is more prone to fracturing. It has also been known to prevent kidney cancer and blindness, while providing you with the vitamins you need. Potassium is an essential nutrient in your body because it helps regulate your blood pressure, keeping your heart functioning properly. Not only is it rich in this nutrient, bananas also contain Vitamin C. Vitamin C is known to increase the amount of white blood cells, which are imperative for having a strong immune system.

According to research from The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas regularly can lower the risk of death by strokes by 40 percent. Bananas are also known to relieve stress and put you into a better mood. High levels of tryptophan in the banana convert to serotonin, a happiness inducing hormone. This healthy fruit contains three natural sugars: glucose, fructose, and sucrose. These three plant-based ingredients give you an instant boost of natural energy, and is more kind to your blood sugar levels.

The bright yellow jacket that the banana is tightly packed in can also prove to be a huge help. There are many different things you can do with the peel. Rubbing the inside of the peel on bug bites, poison rashes, or bruises can help relieve irritation on the skin. Banana peels can also be used to whiten teeth. Simply rub the inside of a banana peel on your teeth for a few minutes every day, and your teeth could become whiter in a few weeks. There are many other uses for the outer covering, such as removing splinters. To remove one, tape the peel on top of a splinter and leave it there for a couple hours. The enzymes work to dislodge the splinter and aid in the healing process.

Bananas make a quick, convenient snack, that also nourishes your body with all different kinds of nutrients.  It provides many health benefits while maintaining a delicious and creamy taste. It’s no surprise that bananas are one of the most consumed fruits in the world. With its flavor, supplements, and accessibility, they are a must have in your diet.