We all know bananas are a great smoothie addition and a great source of potassium. But, did you know they also help combat depression, cure hangovers, relieve morning sickness and even help protect your shoes?
Below are several reasons from Food Matters to pick up a bunch of bananas next time you’re at the grocery store.
- Bananas reduce swelling, protect against Type 2 diabetes, aid weight loss, strengthen the nervous system and help with the production of white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6.
- Bananas help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin — the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter.
- One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
- Eating a banana between meals helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea from morning sickness.
- Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.
- Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you more alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels of potassium.
- Rub a bug bite or hives with the inside of the banana peel to relieve itching and irritation.
- Remove a wart by placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against the wart and taping it in place.
- Rub the inside of a banana peel on your leather shoes or handbag and polish with a dry cloth for a quick shine.
Check out the article for even more reasons to eat bananas. Take a look at the bottom for a Creamy Banana & Avocado Smoothie recipe.
