Bananas are some of nature’s sweetest foods – packed with a lot of surprising health benefits.

For most people, bananas are only known for their great source of potassium. What is unknown is that bananas can actually help combat depression, make people smarter, cure hangovers, relieve morning sickness, and protect against kidney cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and blindness.

In addition, eating bananas could help lower blood pressure and reduce the risks of cancer and asthma as well,

These might seem too much to be true, but they actually are.

Below are more details of the health benefits of our lovely yellow fruit.

1. Potassium

Although a lot of people know that bananas are very rich in potassium, they still cannot tell the importance of potassium to the human body.

Potassium, as a mineral, helps maintain fluid levels in the body and regulates the movement of nutrients and waste products in and out of cells.

It also helps in the contracting of muscles as well as the response of nerve cells. It keeps the heart beating regularly and can reduce the effect of sodium on blood pressure.

Studies have also shown that potassium may reduce the risk of kidney stones.

2. Source of energy

Professional athletes will tell you that when it comes to dishing out energy, this yellow fruit is king.

Two bananas, before a strenuous workout, are enough to pack an energy punch and sustain your blood sugar. Another interesting quality of bananas is that they protect against muscle cramps during workouts and nighttime leg cramps as well.

3. Cures and protect against ulcer

Regular consumption of these fruits may help protect against stomach ulcers because over time they help to thicken the protective mucus barrier in the stomach, which prevents damage from hydrochloric acid.

They are also known to contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate stomach bacteria which can cause stomach ulcers.

4. Treats hangover

If you were told that bananas could actually get rid of the morning inconvenience that comes after the night groove, would you believe?

Well, you should, because a couple of these fruits blended with ice, berries and coconut milk or cow’s milk makes a really good hangover recovery drink.

While the better solution is not to drink so much the night before, it is advisable to have some bananas and coconut milk around to help you with the morning trouble – just in case.

5. Combats depression

As funny as this may sound, it is actually true. Bananas help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin — the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter.

Eating them also improves your mood and helps reduce PMS symptoms, which regulates blood sugar and produces stress-relieving relaxation.

6. Fights cancer

According to recent Japanese animal research, fully ripe bananas (with dark spots) have been observed to produce a compound called TNF–a.

TNF–a is a cytokine believed to have the potential to increase white blood cell count. This, in return, helps enhance our immunity and combat cancerous cell changes.

7. It improves digestion

Do you know the importance of fiber? Do you know that fiber is needed to help food travel smoothly through the digestive tract while also improving your bowel movement?

Well, our king of fruits is a great source of dietary fiber, which means that it helps improve digestion.