Which bananas are the best

Bananas are a top choice for nutrition and fuel before, during, and after endurance exercises. Not only does potassium support muscle health and prevent cramps in athletes, but it also provides benefits for a very important muscle: the heart.

Potassium lowers your risk of heart disease by helping lower blood pressure. The U. Potassium also promotes kidney health and studies have shown that the development of kidney disease decreases among those who regularly consume bananas. In addition to potassium, bananas also contain just the right amount of magnesium, which is also important for overall heart health.

The greenest bananas are the most beneficial to those who are trying to keep control over their blood sugar levels. Green bananas are extremely low on the glycemic index, making them the ideal snack for those who have to keep blood sugar levels low. These younger and greener bananas also cause longer periods of satiety. Feeling less hungry means you will eat less, thus reducing the chances that you might overeat unhealthy snacks.

With insulin resistance being the number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes , the resistant starch present almost exclusively in unripe bananas is the most helpful inclusion. At this stage, there are no spots on the peels or on the fruit itself. These are very healthy for you and have a much sweeter flavor than green bananas. While the resistant starch level decreases with yellowing, it is replaced by a large number of antioxidants, which protect your body from disease by removing dangerous free radicals.

The antioxidants found in yellow bananas, including dopamine, reduce the risk of heart disease as well as degenerative diseases. It is important to note that the dopamine from bananas does not act like the feel-good chemical found in your brain.

This dopamine never crosses the blood-brain barrier, so it only acts in antioxidant roles rather than mood-altering ones. The spotted yellow banana is a bit older but still contains lots of antioxidants.

As bananas move beyond their ripe stage, they contain to break down into more sugars and antioxidants. While still healthy, and generally the most popular taste-wise, the healthiest stages of the banana have gone passed. By the time bananas are brown and soft, most people feel as though their usefulness has passed.

At this stage, bananas have a much higher sugar content than at earlier stages, so they should be avoided by diabetics or those who need to watch blood sugar levels. They contain tryptophan which helps to reduce stress and anxiety and is also rich in nutrients that specifically promote muscle and bone health. At this point, brown bananas are most often used as ingredients in baked goods, particularly in banana bread and muffins.

Considering the vast amounts of food thrown out before it really needs to be, taking advantage of this extra sweetness is beneficial in more ways than one. You already know that bananas are good for you, but did not know that the bananas you grab each day can deliver different benefits? They make a convenient snack, are filling, and are great for digestion, heart health, and even cancer treatment.

In fact, bananas are one of the most convenient snacks available. They can be added to cereal, smoothies, and used instead of sugar when baking. Healthy kids snacks? Look no further than a Chiquita banana!

Healthy snacks can be green, yellow or brown! Sign up now! YES, I'm in! Join the Chiquita Community Personalized recipe selections: Access to advanced filters, rate recipes, save your favorites in your personal banana space. Privileged access to special giveaways and contests. Setup your diet preferences and save your most liked lifestyle articles.

Join Login. Remind me to join later. Join us! Join the Chiquita community and access to your personal banana space! Close this window. Copy link. Here are 5 types of cooking bananas 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 :. Cooking bananas have a mild flavor and starchy texture. To slow the ripening process, you can place almost-ripe bananas in the fridge. Though the skin will turn black, the fruit will remain fresh for several days.

To accelerate the ripening process, place them in a brown paper bag with a ripe apple. You can also peel and freeze ripe bananas for use in smoothies, banana bread, or nondairy ice cream. Dessert bananas can be stored at room temperature to ripen. They can also be frozen and used later for various treats. Bananas are a nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed as a sweet snack or a savory side.

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