Bananas, whether they are straight or bent and whether sold in bunches of 2, 3 or 5, always have the same great nuritional value. What does matter is how beneficial eating bananas is to your health. Bananas are among the most popular fruits in the world.

Bananas are a good source of potassium and each banana contains only about 105 calories. As part of a good planned diet, bananas will give you the energy you need. The high fibre content and low GI contributes to feeling fuller for longer. Bonus - They taste great!

Energy source: Eat two bananas before a strenuous workout to pack an energy punch and sustain your blood sugar. Bananas also protect against muscle cramps during workouts and night time leg cramps.

Blood Pressure: Bananas help with the production of white blood cells, owing to high levels of vitamin B-6. It will strengthen your blood and relieve anemia with the added iron from bananas.

Asthma: A banana a day reduces risk of developing asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing. Bananas are also naturally high in fiber, which can help prevent respiratory conditions like asthma from developing.

Cancer: Japanese researchers have proven that ripe bananas fight cancer. The dark spots on ripe yellow bananas produce a substance called Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) that destroys cancerous tumors. As the banana ripens, its antioxidant levels rise, strengthening the immune system and increasing white blood cells!

Heart Health: High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially recognised by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure and protect against heart attack and stroke.

Preserving memory and boosting mood: Bananas help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin which is the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter. Improve your mood and reduce PMS symptoms by eating a banana, which regulates blood sugar and produces stress-relieving relaxation.

Bananas are also a natural ulcer remedy: Bananas may be able to help protect you against stomach ulcers, or help to treat existing ones. The compounds in bananas create a thick protective barrier in the stomach that can help defend against the damaging effects of excess hydrochloric acid. On top of this, bananas also contain protease inhibitors that can help to eliminate a specific bacteria in the stomach that is found to cause ulcers to develop in the first place.

A very good reason to go bananas!