The average American eats 27 pounds of bananas every year; that’s more than the amount of apples and oranges combined![i]

Fortunately, this is one popular habit that’s a healthy one too, as bananas are one of the most beneficial fruits you can eat.

Banana Benefits: 10 Reasons to Eat a Banana Today

10. Improved Nutrient Absorption

Bananas contain short-chain fatty acids that nourish the lining of your intestines, potentially helping to improve your body’s ability to absorb nutrients.[ii]

9. Lower Risk of Kidney Cancer

Women who eat bananas four to six times a week cut their risk of kidney cancer in half compared to those who eat none.[iii] This may be due to phenolics, a special type of antioxidant that bananas contain.

8. Digestive Function

With 12% of the daily-recommended amount of dietary fiber, even one banana a day can help to keep your digestive function running smoothly. If you have an upset stomach or diarrhea, bananas are considered to be a non-irritating food that’s safe to eat.

7. Heart Health

The American Heart Association labels bananas as a heart-healthy food, in part because one banana contains an average of 467 mg of potassium (that’s 12% of the recommended daily value). Potassium supports heart health and function and is linked to a lower risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

6. Ulcer Protection

Bananas have an antacid effect, helping to active cells in your stomach’s lining that produce a thicker protective mucus against acids. They also contain protease inhibitors, which help fight ulcer-causing bacteria in your stomach.[iv]

5. Enhanced Mood and Stress Relief

Rich in B vitamins, such as vitamin B6, bananas may help to calm your nervous system. They also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps your body produce mood-enhancing serotonin, as well as mood-boosting magnesium.

4. Natural Prebiotics

Bananas contain fructooligosaccharide (FOS), a prebiotic that “feeds” the beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in your gut, allowing them to flourish.

3. Immune System Health

Bananas are an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C (one banana contains about 15% of the daily recommended amount), which is important for healing. Vitamin B6 is also an important nutrient for immune system health and antibody production, and this is also plentiful in bananas.

2. Blood Sugar Support

For a pleasantly sweet fruit, bananas actually help your body regulate blood sugar levels, thanks to the antioxidant manganese they contain. Vitamin B6 and vitamin C in bananas also helps your body to regulate blood sugar levels.

1. Enhanced Energy

Eating a banana before a workout has been found to provide your body with the fuel it needs to maintain good performance throughout the exercise. One study found it was as effective as a carbohydrate-based drink when eaten prior to an endurance workout.[v]

Are You Reaping the Maximum Benefits from the Foods You Eat?

Did you know that eating the perfect diet is not a guarantee that your body is getting all of the antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that it requires? This depends on your ability to absorb these beneficial compounds from your food.

If you have years’ worth of toxic build-up in your intestines (and virtually everyone does), your digestion will be subpar, your risk of chronic diseases increases and you simply won’t feel as good as you should. Plus, you may not be absorbing all of the essential nutrition from the foods that you eat … so all the bananas in the world may not give you the wonderful benefits described above, unless … you flush the toxins right out of your colon using Natural Cleanse.

Natural Cleanse contains herbal remedies like buckthorn bark, ginger root, and milk thistle extract combined with psyllium husk and a patented probiotic blend that helps rebalance your vital gut microflora and is clinically proven to improve digestive function. If you want to be sure you’re reaping the maximum nutrition from the foods you eat, try this natural program that everyone is talking about.