Going BANANAS: Boost mood and bring down blood pressure with this healing fruit

By avagrace // 2025-06-15

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Bananas are a proven, affordable and side-effect-free remedy for digestion, heart health and mood regulation, supported by both ancient medicine (Ayurveda, TCM) and modern research.
Traditional healers used bananas for gut health – unripe for diarrhea, ripe for ulcers. Modern science confirms their fiber (pectin, resistant starch) improves digestion, stool consistency and gut bacteria.
High in potassium and magnesium, bananas help lower blood pressure and regulate heart rhythm, with studies showing significant improvements in hypertensive patients.
Bananas contain tryptophan and vitamin B6 that boost serotonin and dopamine production, offering a natural mood lift without the side effects of pharmaceuticals.
Green bananas aid gut health (resistant starch), while ripe ones digest easily. Store at room temperature, pair with protein for blood sugar balance and embrace bananas as a holistic health tool.

In an era dominated by fad diets and synthetic supplements, the humble banana stands out as a proven natural remedy for digestion, heart health and mood regulation. Ancient healing systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have long recognized bananas' medicinal properties, and modern research now validates these claims. With rising healthcare costs and growing skepticism toward pharmaceutical solutions, bananas offer an affordable, side-effect-free alternative for common health concerns. For thousands of years, traditional healers have relied on bananas for their therapeutic benefits. Ayurveda, India's ancient holistic system, prized bananas for their cooling and anti-inflammatory effects on digestion. Similarly, TCM used unripe bananas to treat diarrhea and colitis while prescribing ripe bananas for ulcers and constipation. Today, conventional medicine still recommends the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce and toast – as a gentle recovery method for stomach flu and food poisoning. This proves that nature's remedies often outlast synthetic alternatives. (Related: Bananas: A versatile superfood with global appeal.) Bananas contain two powerful fibers that optimize gut health: Pectin and resistant starch. Pectin slows digestion, enhancing nutrient absorption. Resistant starch – abundant in green bananas – acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and improving stool consistency. Clinical studies support these benefits. One trial involving 80 constipated children found that green banana biomass significantly improved bowel movements and reduced laxative dependency. Another study showed that infants with persistent diarrhea recovered faster when given a rice-based diet supplemented with cooked green bananas.

Science-backed health benefits of bananas

High blood pressure remains a leading health threat, but bananas provide a natural defense. A single medium banana supplies 10 percent of the daily potassium requirement, a mineral that relaxes blood vessels and counteracts sodium's harmful effects. A 2023 Indonesian study demonstrated this clearly. Hypertensive patients who consumed three green bananas daily for two weeks experienced significant drops in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Additionally, bananas contain magnesium, which regulates heart rhythm and balances electrolytes, further supporting cardiovascular health. As mental health struggles rise globally, bananas offer a simple dietary solution. They contain tryptophan, an amino acid that converts into serotonin – the "feel-good" neurotransmitter. Vitamin B6 in bananas further enhances mood by aiding dopamine and norepinephrine production. A 2018 New Zealand study of 422 young adults found that raw bananas were among the strongest dietary predictors of improved mental well-being. Unlike prescription antidepressants, which often come with side effects, bananas provide a natural, accessible mood boost. To fully harness the banana's healing potential, consider these strategies. Green bananas are best for gut health due to their resistant starch content, while ripe yellow bananas are easier to digest but higher in sugar. Store bananas at room temperature and refrigerate only when fully ripe to prevent overripening. Pairing bananas with protein, such as peanut butter, helps stabilize blood sugar levels. In a society obsessed with quick fixes and artificial solutions, the banana remains a testament to nature's enduring wisdom. Ultimately, this fruit serves as a powerful reminder that the best medicine often grows on trees. Watch this video that discusses whether bananas are healthy or not. This video is from the All About Herbs channel on Brighteon.com.

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Science-backed health benefits of bananas

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