Four Lesser Known Facts About Bananas

Physical Wellness

Four Lesser Known Facts About Bananas

By Kamal Nayan | Update Date: Aug 28, 2014 03:47 PM EDT

August 27 is also known as National Banana Lovers day, meaning it's quite right time to know some lesser known facts about your favorite yellow fruit.

They can be used as an alternative to sports drinks

Bananas pack more nutrients than sports drinks and have a healthier blend of natural sugar and bonus antioxidants, according to experts. Bananas being stocked with potassium can also help regulate nerve and muscle function, ultimately preventing you from muscle cramps.

These boost metabolism

Bananas also equip Resistant Starch - starch found in carbohydrate-rich foods that may help you loose weight. The body digests Resistant starch slowly making you feel fuller for longer. RS also encourages liver to switch to fat-burning mode.

These can help keep blood pressure under control

Because of high potassium content in bananas, these also help regulate blood pressure. The more potassium our body consumes, the more sodium can exit our body, and this is because the mineral acts like a natural diuretic.

According to research, a diet with potassium rich foods was found to cut risk of stroke by 21 percent.

These are good for gut bacteria

You might be aware about probiotics which are "good" bacteria that aid digestion. Then, there are also prebiotics which play a vital role in maintaing healthy gut; and bananas happen to be a great source of them.

Prebiotics evidently supply food for probiotic. These are actually carbohydrates that can't be digested by the human body.

Bananas are also one of the best 'hangover foods'.

Eating bananas with almond butter can help you with sleep.

Physical Wellness