7 Benefits of Bananas | For A Healthy Body And Mind

From better sleep to increased weight loss, bananas have got it going on! This post will share the 7 surprising benefits of bananas…and with recipe suggestions, too.

I think you guys have noticed by now, I go bananas over bananas. True story! It came to a point where my kids no longer wanted to eat them because I incorporated them into everything. A real life banana boycott. My bad!

But then again, this post has long been overdue. You’ve been seen me blog about bananas literally all the time but I haven’t really dived into the actual benefits of bananas. Well don’t worry because the time is now! I created this blog to shed light on why bananas are a staple in my healthy diet. If you read this post all the way to the end, I suspect they’re be a staple in yours too…

Are Bananas Healthy?

Bananas are absolutely healthy! They’re packed with vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B5 and magnesium. And they’re a great source of fiber!

If you don’t believe me, here’s the nutritional profile of a medium sized banana (126g):

Calories	105
Protein	1 gram
Total Fat	0 grams
Total Carbohydrates	30 grams
Fiber	3 grams
Vitamin C	15% of the Daily Value
Vitamin A	2% of the DV
Potassium	13% of the DV
Iron	2% of the DV
Sodium	0mg

Are Bananas Good for Constipation?

Ripe bananas are good for constipation because they are high in soluble fiber (AKA pectin) which draws water from the intestines and creates movement in the bowels. Have one in the morning to get things going. But be careful! Unripe bananas can cause constipation because they still contain a high amount of starch, which is difficult for the body to digest.

How Many Bananas Can I Have In A Day?

One or two bananas per day qualifies as a balanced diet. As I always say, too much of anything ain’t good for you! An excess of bananas can lead to possible weight gain and nutrient deficiencies. So make sure you include all the other good stuff in your diet. I personally love putting bananas on top of a stack of protein pancakes for a balanced and high energy meal.

Can I Eat Bananas At Night?

Eating a banana before bed can help you sleep. Because bananas contain tryptophan, which is an amino acid that helps your body produce melatonin aka the “sleep hormone.” So the next time you’re craving for a midnight snack but also plan to hit the sack , grab a banana. Your body will surely thank you for this bedtime munchie.

Benefits of Bananas

Here’s where it really gets good. It’s the top 7 benefits of bananas! Read along and join the banana fan club with me…

1. Bananas can aid in digestion

So I mentioned this earlier but I’ll say it again…bananas are loaded with fiber. Specifically 10-12% of your daily fiber requirement! This soluble fiber also helps keep you full for longer periods. And THIS is why I love adding bananas to my protein shake because it keeps me satiated until my next meal.

2. Bananas are a powerhouse of nutrients

Forget about apples. A banana a day keeps the doctor away! Bananas are loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, folate, niacin and riboflavin, and B6. All of which contribute to an overall healthy body.

3. Bananas contain powerful antioxidants

Instead of drinking all those expensive antioxidant green shots, have a banana instead. It contains several types of antioxidants such as dopamine and catechins. Both of which are said to reduce the risk of heart disease and even degenerative illness!

4. Bananas are packed with potassium

But you knew that right? What you may not know is that potassium is known to have various health benefits, like regulating heartbeat, blood pressure, and helping to maintain healthy kidneys.

5. Bananas help prevent exercise-related soreness

Ever wonder why bananas are the recommended snack after working out? Well wonder no more! Bananas help reduce exercise related cramps and soreness because of the mineral content and volume of easy-to-digest-carbs. They’re also a good source of energy…which is perfect for your workout!

6. Bananas keeps you happy

So I know I mentioned that bananas have a small amount of tryptophan which helps with sleep. But what I haven’t told you is when combined with vitamin B6, it helps boost serotonin production. This is also known as the “feel good hormone.”

7. Bananas may aid in weight loss

Now before you replace your entire diet with bananas, listen up. There isn’t any specific study that shows that bananas directly lead to weight loss. However, bananas contain several nutrients that do result in weight loss. Bananas are a known source of fiber that has been linked to lower body weight and also weight loss.

How To Store Bananas?

Raise your hand if you’ve ever seen your bananas turn brown? Well, I for one am guilty of that too! I’ve left them directly under the sunlight and then BAM, I had to make some (really delicious) banana bread.

To avoid sad brown bananas, here are some tips on how you can correctly store them….

• Store them at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
  
• Do not pop them into the fridge (as this can prevent them from ripening, which nobody one wants).
  
• If you want to speed up the ripening process, store them in a brown paper bag. Or place them alongside your other fruits. It’ll emit more ethylene that way, which helps get you a perfectly ripe, high nutrient banana.
  
• If you want all your bananas to ripe at the same time, get a banana hanger! They help promote a gradual ripening by preventing excess pressure and moisture from collecting at the bottom of the bunch.
  
• If you’ve accidentally allowed your bananas to overripen, don’t worry! You can freeze them and add them into your smoothies or baked goods!

More Healthy Banana Recipes

The bottom line is that bananas are awesome! If you don’t like eating the fruit directly, you can also incorporate bananas into various recipes. I’m including them below…

• Banana Protein Shake
• 1 Ingredient Banana Ice Cream Recipe
• Banana Chia Pudding
• Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Banana Oat Blender Pancakes

This post contains affiliate links to products I use regularly and highly recommend.