We've always known bananas to be an extremely healthy snack option, packed with lots of vitamins and nutrients. But, have you ever wondered what the side effects actually are when eating bananas every day? We did the research, only to find out that eating bananas can actually do quite a bit for your body when you eat them on a regular basis.
Though this is the case, it's important to remember not to go overboard, as even with bananas there is a limit before they start becoming detrimental to your health. So, overall sticking to 1 to 3 a day, is ideal. These are the side effects you could start to experience after eating a healthy amount of bananas each day.
You could lose weight.
One side effect of eating bananas on a regular basis could be the number on your scale starting to go down. This is because of the protein and fiber-rich nature of bananas, leaving you feeling full for a longer period, and ultimately less likely to snack.
You'll fall asleep faster.
Tryptophan, an amino acid that makes you feel sleepy, can be found in bananas, which is why eating a banana at the end of the day can get you feeling ready for bed. In addition to tryptophan, bananas also contain magnesium and potassium, both of which act as muscle relaxants, which help you ease into sleep.
You'll improve your gut health.
An unhealthy gut can lead to various issues throughout the body, so working on your microbiome should be a top priority. Consuming bananas could be a great way to improve your gut health. A 2017 study review in Nutrition Bulletin revealed that bananas contain resistant starch, which works to increase the production of short-chain fatty acids—which are essential for gut health.
You can lower your risk of kidney cancer.
Kidney cancer is serious, so you want to do everything you can day-to-day to lower your risk of being diagnosed. Due to the high levels of antioxidant phenolic compounds found in bananas, our favorite yellow fruit can help you lower your risk just by eating them. According to a Swedish study, women who ate four to six bananas a week were able to cut their risk of developing kidney cancer in half. That's definitely a reason to add bananas to your grocery list.
You'll increase your energy level.
Talk about the perfect way to jumpstart your day—and especially great as a pre-workout or post-workout snack. Eating a banana each day will not only keep you from feeling fatigued throughout the day, but will also improve your athletic performance. A PLOS One 2012 study found a direct correlation between eating a banana and increased energy levels in male athletes competing in long-distance cycling races, so keeping a banana in your bag could be the perfect snack to give you the boost you need.
You can enhance your memory.
Bet you never realized that eating a banana could enhance your memory. Well, according to the BCC, it can. It's the richness in B vitamins that give bananas the power to support memory function as well as protect the brain. Studies have found that students who eat bananas perform better on exams as well as learn more efficiently. Time to pick up some bananas.
You can improve your skin.
We're constantly looking for new ways to improve our skin health, and apparently, it could start and end with bananas. The vitamins and minerals in bananas, particularly the manganese, work to boost collagen levels and thus repair your skin. Everything from acne to wrinkles to dry skin can start to clear as soon as you finish your banana. It's that easy.
You'll lower your risk of anemia.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, anemia affects roughly 30% of the population—or 2 billion people globally. The symptoms can range from dizziness, headaches, fast heartbeat, among others. The iron content in bananas works to boost iron levels and, thus, counteract the anemia. Some other iron-rich foods that work to fight iron deficiencies are black beans and salmon.
You'll increase your potassium intake, which supports heart health.
The main function of potassium in the body is to regulate muscle movement, and the most important muscle in your whole body is your heart. Since most people do not consume enough potassium in their daily diet, eating a banana a day can be essential to regulating blood pressure and other aspects of heart health. Plus, a study from Healthline revealed that a potassium-rich diet—one that involves lots of bananas—can lower your risk of heart disease by 27%. That's definitely a sign to add bananas into your diet, if they're not in it already.
You'll feel less depressed.
Did you ever think that your morning banana could be the reason for your happy mood? Well, it turns out it can be. Once ingested, the tryptophan in bananas converts directly into serotonin in the body. So, it's the serotonin that could be making you feel less depressed, and thus, boost your mood and make you feel happier.
You'll improve your vision.
It's the vitamin A in bananas that you have to thank for your improved vision. The National Institute of Health highlights three things that come with the ingestion of vitamin A: protecting your eyes, maintaining normal vision, and even improving vision at night. Not only is having a banana on hand to snack on incredibly easy, but also the health benefits, like this one, are immense.
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