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Who knew there are so many advantages to bananas? Very healthy and important to our daily diet, bananas can even make you feel better. Banana health benefits are comparable to any other type of fruit. In fact, bananas have several positive benefits that many other fruits do not have. These yellow-skinned delicious fruits are ideal for health and pleasure because they have a sweet taste that most people enjoy. According to the USDA’s “MyPlate” program: “Your food and physical activity choices each day affect your health – how you feel today, tomorrow and in the future.” Knowing the banana health benefits and the other positive things that bananas can be used for will likely give you a new appreciation for this popular fruit. 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BANANAS 

Beat The Blues

Banana is known to render a soothing effect. It has a compound called as tryptophan, which on getting converted to serotonin improves mood. Eating a banana a day facilitates the cross-talk among your brain cells and the effect of mood-lifting brain chemicals like serotonin. Both effects can help keep the therapist away by preventing recurring minor depression.

Lower Blood Pressure

Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg),thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. Studies show that the high amounts of potassium in bananas (over 13% of the RDA) can lower one's blood pressure, which in turn lessens the possibility of atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%

Low calories

Bananas are a caloric dense fruit. Consumption of just one banana anytime through the day makes one feel energetic. One banana has 11% of the RDA of dietary fiber and only about 108 calories. The fiber in bananas not only keeps digestion regular, but also helps maintain low blood sugar and curbs overeating.

Healthy Bones

Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that increase our digestive ability and protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharides, probiotic bacteria can increase both in number and functionality, increasing our body’s ability to absorb calcium.

Healthy Digestive Tract

Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. Bananas can diminish the uncomfortable effects of diarrhea and constipation. The high amounts of potassium in bananas can restock electrolytes that are easily depleted when suffering from diarrhea -- potassium being an important electrolyte itself. Furthermore, bananas can relieve the body from constipation and help restore regular digestion with pectin, a soluble polysaccharide that helps normalize the digestive tract.

Vitamin B6

One banana has an impressive 34% of the RDA of vitamin B6, which serves many important roles in the body's health. For example, the B6 in bananas acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that helps ward off cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, as well as obesity. Finally, the vitamin B6 in bananas plays a pivotal part in cell formation and proper nervous system function, making one banana a day a healthy and delicious choice.

Here is some quick and easy way to beat the blues with banana.

Healthy Chiquita BananAde Smoothie

Blend lemon, honey, yogurt and a banana for a super smoothie recipe and a big boost of energy to take on any activity. Our fans love this Chiquita BananAde Smoothie recipe and we hope you enjoy it too!

Ingredients:

• 2 whole Chiquita® bananas (with brown peels*)
• 3 cups Ice
• 1 cup Milk OR Vanilla Yogurt
• 1/2 whole Lemon to squeeze
• 1 Tbsp. Honey

Instructions:

Pour all ingredients in blender pouring ice in last. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until smoothie thickens.  Brown bananas work well for smoothies; however, you can use less ripe bananas, too, such as yellow bananas with brown flecks. Blend away with the best, Omega BL330R Blender!

For more please visit www.Chiquita.com  www.omegajuicer.com  “Alphabet of wellness food” – AUD, Wellness magazine, www.ewellnessmag.com