When you think of banana, you probably thought about the minions in Despicable Me movies. Fresh and creamy, bananas are one fantastic fruit which you can get all year in Malaysia.

Bananas’ nutritional benefits are as fascinating. The unique nutrition profile such as rich in potassium, fibre, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, making it one of the most popular tropical fruits.

Listed below are five reasons why you should eat more bananas.

1. Bananas improve digestive health. Like many other fruits, bananas are high in soluble fibre and thus it helps in sooth bowel movements. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and slows digestion, helping to lower glucose levels and cholesterol.

Image: koolaufarmers.com
Image: koolaufarmers.com

2. Bananas boosts overall cardiovascular health. Bananas are great source of potassium, which is important for controlling your heart rate and blood pressure. Eating a high-potassium diet can lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease.

3. Bananas prevent neurodegenerative diseases sucha s Alzheimer’s. According to a research by Cornell University, the antioxidants in bananas — as well as apples and oranges — might protective against neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s. The passage below is an excerpt from the study.

“Additional consumption of fresh fruits such as apple, banana, and orange may be beneficial to improve effects in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.”

Image: food.ndtv.com
Image: food.ndtv.com

4. Bananas boost your brain power. Eating a banana helps the brain to function at its best. The tyrosine in bananas works to increase the production of dopamine in the brain, which positively influences our ability to think creatively. A 2014 study indicated tyrosine makes you better at solving puzzles.

5. Bananas improves gut health and digestion. Consuming green bananas can help keep your gut bacteria healthy. This is because the green ones contain resistant starch, a kind of starch that “resists” digestion in a similar way to dietary fibre. As its name implies, resistant starch “resists” digestion, control blood sugar and are great for keeping you full.

Read also: Benefits of Garlic: 6 Healthy Reasons to Eat More Garlic

– Cover Image: climatempo.com.br