Bananas

Today is National Banana Bread Day! Bananas are tasty, convenient, and a nutritional powerhouse!

Bananas are rich in fiber, which is great for digestive health. Due to the combination of both fiber and resistant starch, it feeds the ‘good’ gut bacteria and may help protect against colon cancer. These qualities may help aid weight loss because it is what makes bananas filling, despite a medium-sized banana having only 105 calories.

Bananas are great for heart health. They are high in potassium, and potassium-rich foods help manage blood pressure because they assist in ridding the body of more sodium when urinating. Potassium also relaxes the walls of your blood vessels, which aids in lowering blood pressure. In fact, studies have found that people who eat plenty of potassium have up to a 27% lower risk of heart disease. The soluble fiber in bananas also plays a role in heart health, as it can keep cholesterol in check and help ease inflammation. Additionally, bananas contain magnesium, which also helps control blood pressure, blood sugar, and helps to keep bones strong.