Did you know that we eat bananas the wrong way? Monkeys peel and eat them with the stem down. They are less messy and apparently, there may be more nutrients at that end as well as sweetness. Try it!

Here are some more facts about our favorite fruit.

Over 100 billion bananas are consumed annually around the world.

The average person eats 28 lbs. of bananas per year (more than apples and oranges combined) and ounce for ounce bananas are one of the healthiest natural food sources in the world.

They are the only fruit to contain the amino acid tryptophan plus Vitamin B6 which together help the body produce serotonin. Serotonin is a natural chemical that alleviates mental depression.

Bananas contain almost no fat, are low in calories (approx. 106 calories each), high in Vitamin B6, fibre and potassium.

Bananas contain good levels of phosphorous ,magnesium ,calcium ,iron, selenium, zinc ,copper, Vitamins A,B1,2,C,E,K,Niacin,and pantothenic acid.

The FDA has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet may cut the risk of death by strokes.

Athletes regularly consume bananas before, during and post workout due to the easy digestibility factor and the quick energy source. Research has shown that just eating 2 bananas will provide enough energy for a strenuous 90 minute workout.

What other reasons do you need to GO BANANAS?


Originally published at balanceformaximumwellness.com on September 30, 2016.