Eating bananas to reduce anxiety is a great natural remedy for regulating mood and reducing stress. They contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and compounds that help support brain function, balance neurotransmitters, and promote relaxation.
Bananas are a popular tropical fruit, known for their sweet taste and versatility. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors, ranging from green to yellow when ripe. They are rich in potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and fiber.
Here's how bananas can help you reduce anxiety, according to the health site Healthshots (USA).
Rich in vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 plays an important role in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Serotonin, often referred to as the “feel good” hormone, helps promote feelings of happiness and calmness, while dopamine plays a role in motivation and pleasure. GABA helps reduce brain activity, contributing to its calming effect. Vitamin B6 deficiency may contribute to symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders.
Bananas are good for overall health
Contains magnesium
Magnesium, an important mineral, is essential for many bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function. Magnesium helps relax muscles, calms the nervous system, and thus reduces signs of anxiety. Additionally, magnesium helps improve sleep quality by regulating sleep cycles and promoting restful sleep.
Natural source of tryptophan
An essential amino acid that plays an important role in regulating mood. Nutritionist Samreen Saniya (India) shared: "The human body uses tryptophan to synthesize serotonin, a neurotransmitter often called the happy hormone". Serotonin plays an important role in improving mood and reducing anxiety. The increased amount of tryptophan when eating bananas helps increase the body's ability to produce serotonin.
Enhances blood sugar stability
The natural sugars in bananas, combined with their fiber content, help stabilize blood sugar levels. Fluctuations in glucose can often lead to irritability, anxiety, and mood swings. However, bananas provide steady energy, preventing sudden drops in blood sugar that can cause stress or anxiety. This steady supply of energy helps maintain a stable mood.
Promote healthy gut
The complex relationship between gut health and mental health is becoming increasingly recognised. A healthy gut microbiome rich in beneficial bacteria is essential for mood regulation. Bananas are rich in prebiotic fibre, which helps beneficial gut bacteria thrive and diversify. A balanced gut microbiome can help reduce feelings of anxiety and sadness, thereby improving emotional wellbeing.
Try adding sliced bananas to your breakfast oatmeal.
Here are some ways to combine bananas to help reduce anxiety, according to expert recommendations.
Banana smoothie
Blend a banana with a cup of almond milk, a tablespoon of peanut butter (rich in healthy fats and magnesium), and a dash of cinnamon. The magnesium and potassium in the banana, combined with the healthy fats from the peanut butter, can help promote relaxation and regulate blood sugar, which is essential for controlling mood and anxiety.
Banana and almond snack
Combine a banana with a handful of almonds. Almonds are rich in magnesium, which is known to help manage anxiety and stress. The combination of this potassium-rich fruit and magnesium-rich almonds provides steady energy and helps reduce anxiety.
Oatmeal and banana
Add sliced bananas to your breakfast oatmeal. Oats are rich in fiber and can help stabilize blood sugar, preventing mood swings, while bananas add magnesium and potassium, which help reduce stress and anxiety.
Overall, eating bananas is a healthy and nutritious way to help reduce stress. But like any food, eating too many bananas can lead to unwanted side effects for some people.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/them-loi-ich-bat-ngo-cua-chuoi-185241122225038561.htm
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