Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in America and for a good reason. This potassium-filled fruit is both healthy and delicious. Here are a few science-based facts to prove the power of bananas.
Bananas Help Your Muscles Recover Faster
Perhaps the most well-known health benefit of bananas is that they’re rich in potassium. Because potassium is an electrolyte (a type of mineral found in our tissues and bodily fluids which helps hydrate the body and regulate muscle function) it helps us recover after exercising. So next time you need a post-workout snack, grab a banana!
Bananas Support Good Mood
Bananas contain 6% of your daily value of vitamin B9, a nutrient that is known for its antidepressant properties. That means that it helps serotonin, the “feel-good chemical”, enter the brain faster. Some doctors even recommend that patients who take antidepressants increase their B9 intake, in order to boost the medication’s effect.
Bananas Help Regulate Blood Pressure
Bananas are high in potassium and low in sodium, which according to the FDA, is the combination “associated with the lowest blood pressure levels and lowest frequency of stroke in individuals and populations.”
