Bananas make a great snack as they’re portable, easy to eat and packed with energy-boosting goodness. In fact, many people believe that they’re one of the most perfect foods for humans!
Bananas are certainly one of my very favourite snacks and smoothie ingredients as they help to thicken and naturally sweeten smoothies and shakes….
I always aim to eat a banana a day for their high levels of vitamin B6 and the amino acid tryptophan, both of which are co-factor nutrients along with zinc, in producing serotonin (your ‘happy’ hormone) and melatonin (your sleep hormone). Particularly on dark, wintery days, bananas can really help to elevate your mood, reduce the likelihood of the anxiety and sugar cravings associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and help you to get a good night’s sleep. Sleeping better is also one of the more obvious ways to avoid dark under-eye circles.
The fibre-rich carbs in bananas also give you a decent boost of energy without upsetting your blood sugar levels.
Bananas are a prebiotic food, which promotes healthy intestinal bacteria, improves digestion and nutrient absorption, which improves your skin’s health.
Thanks to their magnesium levels, eating bananas help to make you to feel more relaxed and thus calms a taxed adrenal system, which is a primary cause of under-eye darkness. Being an excellent source of potassium, bananas help to balance out blood electrolyte levels, encouraging your cells and kidneys to flush out stored water and reduce under-eye puffiness.
Bananas can really help to satisfy sugar cravings, and are so versatile. Try my Caramel Fudge Ice-Cream for a healthy and delicious treat. You’ll barely notice that it’s not the usual refined sugar-laden ice-cream, and it has so many health benefits too! 😉
