Reasons You Need More Bananas In Your Life

We are lucky that we have access to delicious bananas all year round, and while there are a few different types – the most common one we get from the store is the Cavendish type. 

Almost all of us have experienced the moment your bananas go from green to black with almost no notice. Thankfully, there are plenty of delicious banana recipes, like this banana muffins recipe, that can help you use them up. No banana goes unused!

It’s not just because bananas are delicious that we should eat them more often than we do. Bananas offer us a lot of great benefits. So the next time you are at the grocery store, here are just a few great reasons that you should be adding more into your diet – by way of tasty bakes, yogurt or others. 

Recovery

If you like to work out, go running or any type of sport, you already know how important what you put in your is post-workout. 

When we work out, we exert our muscles in a big way, and there are many foods we can eat to help with our recovery. 

Bananas are one of the most consumed fruits when it comes to pre-workout energy and post-workout recovery. 

Since they are such a great source of magnesium and potassium, both act as electrolytes. 

Fuller for longer

Sometimes we are looking for an appetite control food that is healthy and isn’t a fad drink or snack bar that is packed with sugars. Bananas offer a great option for people who are looking to have better portion control. 

Bananas are a soluble fiber, and they can help you to feel fuller for longer – which is great for those who need a healthy snack option. 

As well as being a soluble fiber, bananas are more filling and have less sugar than most other options on the market. 

Add banana to a bowl of greek yogurt for a protein-packed snack or as part of a meal. 

Rich in nutrients

We should be making sure that everything we put in our bodies acts like fuel so that our bodies get the best we can give them. You might be surprised just how much a single banana has in terms of nutrients: 

• Magnesium
• Niacin
• Riboflavin
• Vitamin C
• Potassium
• Copper
• Folate

As well as carbs, protein, and a low amount of calories. 

Potassium

Many fruits are high in potassium, including apricots, oranges, grapefruits, and apples. However, 100g of apple has 107mg, while 100g of banana has 358mg – which is quite some difference!

We might not often think about it, but potassium is one of the minerals that helps our bodies to regular muscle contractions, nerve signals and fluid balance. It has been shown that having a diet rich in potassium can have a positive impact on preventing kidney stones and osteoporosis and reducing blood pressure. 

Sweet tooth

If you have a sweet tooth that has you heading for the biscuit tin all the time, then bananas offer a great sweet treat. 

In fact, one of the best replacements for sugar in baked goods is actually mashed bananas. 

A top tip if you want to enjoy bananas chips is that homemade bananas chips are a much healthier option than the ones that you can buy in the store. Store purchased banana chips often have added sugars to make them a bit sweeter. 

Prebiotics

We know that our stomachs impact the rest of our bodies – for example, if we have slow sluggish digestion, it can lead to low moods. 

Prebiotics go a long way in improving our digestion and can help reduce bloating, gas, indigestion, cramps and more. Although we might take a multivitamin for our body, we might forget that our gut needs just as much if not more care. 

A prebiotic, in essence, is a multivitamin – but just for your gut. If you eat slightly unripened bananas, you get a healthy dose of prebiotics. 

Stomach aches

If you have stomach aches, cramping and bloating regularly, you should consider adding a banana to your daily diet. The same two electrolytes that are essential to those in the post-workout phase are the same that can help soothe the stomach. 

You will often find bananas are the recommended food for those who are suffering from morning sickness, chemotherapy and those on medication that may make them feel nauseated. 

If you are looking to try new recipes from different cultures, and expand your breakfast repertoire, check out: Breakfast of Asian Champions • Edel Alon.