Like me you no doubt know at least one thing about bananas, thanks to the ubiquitous 90’s TV ad, that bananas make your bodies sing. That, my friends, is a cold hard fact heavily ingrained in Gen Y, but 20 years on, there’s still a lot of stuff about nature’s energy snack you may not be aware of.
1. You’re Probably Peeling Them Wrong
Yep, monkeys have got that shit down pat!
2. They Can Fight Ulcers
We know bananas are healthy AF, but, did you know they help to fight against stomach ulcers? Yep, Na-nas help to build up the stomach lining that defends against hydrochloric acid in ya guts. SCIENCE BITCHES!
3. Period Pals
Everyone knows bananas are high in potassium but they also have a buttload of magnesium which decreases water retention during PMS, helping to dull period pain.
4. Pre-Work Out
Because they’re so high in fast-acting carbohydrates, bananas are one heck of a pre-work out food, as they provide perfect fuel for your body. Potassium also helps avoid those nasty crampy cramps and stitches!
5. Ripens Nearby Fruit
As they themselves ripen, bananas excrete a gas called ethylene, which in effect fastens the ripening of fruit around it. Got a bung avocado which refuses to man up and ripen? Whack it in a bowl next to a na-na!
6. Don’t Chuck Out The Skin
Banana skin has been used in the past for helping cure and lessen symptoms of some skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. When blended with other ingredients, they can also be made into hair and beauty products!
7. Banana Trees Aren’t Trees
LIERS! Banana “trees” are actually just overgrown herbs and not technically trees. Very sneaky, bananas.
8. Hangover Cure Du Jour
Once again thanks to your old mate potassium, bananas are one of the best hangover assistance, best taken just before going to bed after a night on the booze. Bedside bananas FTW!
9. Banana Juice Doesn’t Really Exist
TRUTH! Due to their atomic structure it’s bloody hard to juice a banana, so it’s mostly just blended into a mush. Scientists in India are currently trying to figure it how to do it apparently.
10. Fiberlicious
As they’re chock full of good fibers, bananas are great for lowering the symptoms of heartburn plus assist in a healthy digestive system all together (read: helps you poo better, mate).
11. Bananas Are Bad Luck On Boats
Although probably more of a ye olde time fashion then something widespread today, but to many seafarers bananas bring bad luck when taken out on a boat. Some superstitious seamen even refuse to take Banana Boat branded suncscreen and the like out on boats for fear of suffering the banana gods wrath, I presume.
12. Good For Your Mind
Sure bananas kick your body into gear, but did you know they’re also great for your mental health? Bananas help deal with stress and bad moods due them containing tryptophan, which converts to seratonin aka the happy chemical.
