Go Bananas for a Smarter and Healthier Brain

Let me share a secret to an affordable and healthy breakfast – the almighty banana. The average price of 1 pound of bananas in the U.S. is approximately 0.63 cents. This could give a week’s worth of fruit for less than $1. In addition to being a budget-friendly fruit, bananas are highly nutritious.

They are rich in fiber and contain inulin, which helps stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the gut and promotes healthy weight management. Not only that, but this flavorful fruit can also improve mood and boost concentration, making it rightfully claim a spot as a top food for brain health.

Fuels the Brain

Dr. Uma Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist, brain expert, and faculty member at Harvard Medical School, recommends bananas as an excellent source of prebiotics that fights fatigue and replenishes energy levels for a happy brain and healthy body. The brain is the hungriest organ of our body, consuming roughly 20 percent of our daily energy. Most of the energy required by the brain is obtained by breaking down complex carbohydrates from our food into simple sugars. Bananas are an essential source of glucose that can give our brain the energy it needs, sharpening focus and increasing our brain’s ability to pay attention and learn.

Battles Stress and Improves Mood

Truly a super fruit, bananas also help regulate and improve mood. Emerging research in the field of nutritional psychiatry suggests a connection between our diet and its impact on mood. Certain healthy foods can help ease a range of emotions, including stress, anxiety, and anger.

Bananas contain high levels of tryptophan and tyrosine, amino acids that the body uses to make neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, which help regulate mood. Serotonin is known as the feel-good brain neurotransmitter and helps make one feel happy and optimistic. Getting an adequate amount of these amino acids may help you stay calm and focused while lessening feelings of anxiety and stress.

Embrace this Versatile Fruit in Your Diet

Another reason to love bananas is for their versatility. On their own, they make an easily portable snack that is delicious as is, but also can be made extra filling when paired with pancakes or cereal. Bananas are also an excellent addition to smoothies and can even be mashed into baked goods, such as delicious banana bread.

Do what monkeys do best and go bananas by grabbing nature’s almighty fruit and reaping its numerous health benefits.