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Bananas

All articles tagged with #bananas

Banana Every Day: A Weeklong Dietitian's Experiment
health2 days ago

Banana Every Day: A Weeklong Dietitian's Experiment

A dietitian commits to eating a banana daily for a week to test practicality and health effects. She reports easier meal planning, steadier energy, fewer cravings, and improved digestion, highlighting bananas’ key nutrients—potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, antioxidants, and hydration. The piece also notes that moderation matters (one to two per day is generally safe) and offers easy ways to incorporate bananas (smoothies, toast, desserts, baking). It concludes that bananas are convenient, budget-friendly, and nutritious, but variety remains important for a balanced diet.

Bananas, Unpeeled: Health Wins, Hidden Downsides and the Ideal Daily Bite
health5 days ago

Bananas, Unpeeled: Health Wins, Hidden Downsides and the Ideal Daily Bite

Bananas are a convenient, nutrient-rich snack linked to heart health and good digestion, thanks to fiber, water and potassium (about 350–400 mg per medium fruit) and roughly 100–110 calories with about 14 g of natural sugar. The sugar is consumed with fiber, which smooths digestion. Whole fruit is associated with lower mortality and better cardiovascular health. Ripeness matters: green bananas have more resistant starch that feeds gut bacteria and may help regulate blood sugar, while riper bananas provide quick energy. NHS guidance suggests five portions of fruit and vegetables daily, with one medium banana counting as one portion, and typically no more than 1–2 bananas per day as part of a balanced diet. People with advanced kidney disease or those on potassium-raising meds should monitor intake; some IBS sufferers may experience bloating. Eating too many bananas can cause hyperkalemia in rare cases. Pairing bananas with protein or healthy fats improves satiety and blood-sugar control. Overall, bananas are healthy in moderation, but variety is key.”

Bananas and Blood Pressure: A Modest Heart-Healthy Boost
health8 days ago

Bananas and Blood Pressure: A Modest Heart-Healthy Boost

Bananas can help lower blood pressure because they’re rich in potassium, which helps the kidneys remove excess sodium, reduce fluid retention, and relax blood vessel walls. The BP drop after eating one banana is modest, and benefits don’t compound with more fruit—one banana a day is typically enough and increasing intake could raise potassium to unsafe levels for people on certain medications or with kidney disease. Regular banana consumption also supports heart health through fiber and magnesium, but medications and broader lifestyle changes remain important for blood pressure management.

Tailings-tainted soils threaten bananas and other crops in Brazil, study finds
science16 days ago

Tailings-tainted soils threaten bananas and other crops in Brazil, study finds

Brazilian researchers warn that soils contaminated by iron mining tailings near Linhares transfer metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, and lead into edible crops. Bananas appear particularly risky for young children, with copper and lead in cocoa pulp also exceeding safety limits. While adult risk remains low, the study flags potential long-term cancer risks from cumulative exposure and calls for monitoring and mitigation.

Banana Gift Sparks Deadly Arrow Attack in Uncontacted Amazon Encounter
culture1 month ago

Banana Gift Sparks Deadly Arrow Attack in Uncontacted Amazon Encounter

A conservationist recounts an encounter with an uncontacted Amazon tribe: after delivering a canoe full of bananas, the next day the expedition was surrounded by about 200 tribe members who shot seven-foot arrows; their guide, George, was wounded but survived and was medevaced, highlighting the risks of attempting contact with isolated tribes and the odd dynamics of gift-giving in such meetings.

Bessent Announces Upcoming Tariff Relief on Coffee and Fruits
business3 months ago

Bessent Announces Upcoming Tariff Relief on Coffee and Fruits

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that substantial tariff relief on items like coffee and bananas is imminent, aiming to lower prices and ease inflation, with expectations of positive effects by early 2026. The administration plans to reduce duties on imported goods not produced domestically, including coffee from Brazil and bananas from Central American countries, amidst ongoing trade discussions and tariff adjustments.

Rising Grocery Prices: Causes and Tips to Save
economy4 months ago

Rising Grocery Prices: Causes and Tips to Save

The prices of beef, bananas, and coffee have surged due to a combination of climate change impacts, supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and economic factors, with beef prices reaching their highest levels since the 1980s, coffee and banana prices also hitting record highs, reflecting ongoing inflation and supply constraints.

Potassium-rich foods like bananas may significantly reduce heart failure and arrhythmia risks
health5 months ago

Potassium-rich foods like bananas may significantly reduce heart failure and arrhythmia risks

A new study suggests that eating potassium-rich foods like leafy greens and bananas can reduce the risk of heart disease by 24% by helping the body eliminate excess sodium, which is linked to cardiovascular problems. The research highlights the importance of a diet high in potassium and low in processed foods to support heart health.

Do Bananas Aid Digestion? Experts Weigh In
health7 months ago

Do Bananas Aid Digestion? Experts Weigh In

Bananas contain fiber and resistant starch that may help support bowel regularity, especially unripe bananas with higher resistant starch content. They are generally safe for most people and can be included in a balanced diet to aid digestion, but they are not a laxative. People with sensitive digestive systems should be cautious, and maintaining hydration and a high-fiber diet overall is recommended for preventing constipation.

Crypto Mogul Consumes $6.2M Banana Art in Bold Move
art-and-culture1 year ago

Crypto Mogul Consumes $6.2M Banana Art in Bold Move

Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun ate a banana artwork he purchased for $6.2 million, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, in a social media stunt. Sun, who bought the piece at a New York auction, humorously commented on the banana's taste and pledged to buy 100,000 bananas for free distribution, though logistical challenges were noted by the original banana seller. Sun is known for high-profile purchases, including a $4.8 million lunch with Warren Buffett and a $28 million space trip bid.

Doctor Recommends Avoiding This Fruit in Smoothies
health1 year ago

Doctor Recommends Avoiding This Fruit in Smoothies

Dr. Pedi Mirdamadi advises against adding bananas to berry smoothies due to a study showing that bananas significantly reduce the absorption of flavanols, which are crucial for heart and brain health. Instead, he suggests using avocados for creaminess and healthy fats. Despite the findings, many people on TikTok remain unconvinced and continue to add bananas to their smoothies.

Trader Joe's Raises Banana Prices for First Time in Decades Amid Inflation Concerns
business-food1 year ago

Trader Joe's Raises Banana Prices for First Time in Decades Amid Inflation Concerns

Trader Joe's has raised the price of its bananas for the first time in over 20 years, citing increased farming costs and growing demand. The price of a single banana has increased to 23 cents, a 21% rise. This change reflects broader trends in banana pricing, with global prices experiencing spikes due to inflation, higher farming costs, and the impact of climate change on banana production.

Trader Joe's Raises Banana Prices for First Time in 20 Years Due to Inflation
business1 year ago

Trader Joe's Raises Banana Prices for First Time in 20 Years Due to Inflation

Trader Joe's has raised the price of bananas by four cents after maintaining the same price for 20 years, citing the need to adjust prices due to cost changes. This move has sparked mixed reactions from shoppers, with some expressing nostalgia and others highlighting the broader issue of rising grocery prices. The decision also brings attention to the impact of climate change on the banana sector, as the fruit faces threats from the climate crisis and fungal diseases.