Really ripe bananas aren’t always the prettiest of the bunch but who cares about a few brown spots when they have the power to naturally squash your sugar cravings and come with countless health benefits. We are lucky enough to enjoy this beautiful fruit on a regular basis at Blue Osa where they are plentiful – unless of course the monkeys decide to hog them all.
Because they are accessible year-round, it’s easy to take bananas for granted, but here’s why we think this beautiful fruit deserves a special shout-out.
Here Are 6 Reasons To Go Bananas Over Ripe Bananas!
Ripe Bananas are a Natural Sweet Treat
Who needs a snack packed with refined sugar when you can get something sweet from mother earth? To ensure you have the sweetest, most digestible banana, look for yellow bananas with brown specs. Containing 5% starch and 90% sugar, their high glycemic index makes ripe bananas easy to digest and oh-so sweet.
Ripe Bananas are Sexy
Going on a date? Make it a picnic and don’t forget to pack a couple of natural aphrodisiacs. Bananas have the power to spark romance and not just because it’s a notorious phallic symbol. Once you’ve peeled it down, you’re left with a hefty dose of Vitamin B6 and potassium – two nutrients that are essential to sexual hormone production. Bananas in particular have been known to increase the libido in men since they contain bromelain enzyme, which helps with testosterone production.
Ripe Bananas Help You Stay Young
Really ripe bananas contain a slightly higher concentration of antioxidant compounds than unripe bananas, according to David L. Katz, M.D. Antioxidants are able to inhibit free radicals from damaging DNA and cellular tissue, and a diet rich in a variety of antioxidants may be instrumental in preventing cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
Ripe Bananas Help You Stay Strong
Bananas are a great pre-workout snack. They help replenish your body’s carbohydrate stores, providing 31 grams of carbohydrates in each banana.
Ripe bananas contain 11% of the recommended dietary allowance of potassium in every cup of sliced fruit. Potassium is required for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth and, along with sodium, regulates the cellular membrane potential that allows muscles to contract and neurons to transmit electrical impulses.
Another added bonus: A diet that includes a high intake of potassium may help prevent kidney stones, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and stroke.
Ripe Bananas are a Natural Mood Booster
One cup of ripe banana slices contains about 42% of the amount of vitamin B6 an adult needs on a daily basis. Consuming enough vitamin B6 regularly from foods like bananas may make you less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, depression and heart disease.
Bananas have also been known to boost mood and help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin – promoting relaxation and better sleep.
Ripe Bananas are Oh-So Versatile
One of the best things about bananas is that you can use them in a variety of different ways. Throw them into your smoothie, use them in a variety of dishes from salty to sweet, etc. My personal favorite thing to do is blend a frozen ripe banana to make the best thing ever: ice cream.
Try this super delicious and simple one-ingredient recipe. It’s quite magical, really.
Ripe Banana Ice Cream Recipe:
- Peel and freeze 4-5 ripe bananas (the riper, the better)
- Blend in a food processor
- Voila! Your finished product will be a sweet, gooey, healthy treat
If you feel inspired, try out our Gluten Free Banana Bread. Another reason to go bananas over-ripe bananas.
Buen Provecho from the Kitchen of Blue Osa!
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