Bananas have been part of our diet for thousands of years. Today, they are the most popular fruit in the world.
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On average each person in the UK eats 10kg bananas a year – about 100 bananas!
The scientific name for banana is 'musa sapientum' which translates as 'fruit of the wise man'
The word banana comes from the Arabic word "banan", meaning finger
The banana plant is not a tree, it is the world's largest herb
Bananas could help you to feel happier, as they contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to promote relaxation and improve mood
A medium-sized banana contains only 95 calories, and provides a quick-but-sustained energy boost in a natural, nutritious and easily digestible form with no fat, cholesterol or sodium
Check out what you can do with Bananas!
Yes, this yellow fruit also has the ability to boost mood too. They’re a great source of the amino acid tryptophan, which your body converts into serotonin (the mood-elevating neurotransmitter). As well as pulling you out of the dumps, serotonin can also reduce stress, regulate good sleep and can generally just make you feel happier.
There’s a reason bananas are the most consumed fruit in the world, and high in dietary fibre is just one of them. Fibre can help restore normal bowel function (if you’ve had a sore tum), and is also a great source of natural laxative if you need to get things moving again.
If you want a snack that’s going to satisfy without blowing out your daily calorie intake then let it be a banana. Did you know an average banana is about 110 calories? So good.
To keep your bones in tip top shape, manganese is an important nutrient. Bananas are a good source of manganese, with one medium banana containing about 0.3mg.