Eat a banana before bed for better sleep and health benefits
Difficulty falling asleep, nighttime awakenings caused by stress, and muscle cramps—these common problems can have many different causes, such as a fast-paced life, racing thoughts, excess stimuli, stress, or an unhealthy diet. While not everything can be avoided, you can certainly control what you eat. Just one piece of fruit in the evening can improve sleep quality.
Bananas are popular in athletes' diets and are also a favorite among children, but not everyone is enthusiastic about them. And rightly so—bananas are not all the same. The riper the skin, the more sugars it contains, which are not recommended in excess. However, those less ripe bananas with slightly greenish skin, consumed at night, can positively affect the body.
Nutritional properties of bananas
Bananas are not only a source of quick energy but also a wealth of nutrients. They are an excellent provider of vitamins such as B6, the deficiency of which can impact sleep issues. They also contain vitamin C and various minerals: potassium, magnesium, and manganese, which support the functioning of the nervous and muscular systems. Banana fiber not only regulates digestion but also helps maintain proper blood sugar levels.
Bananas and fiber content
Both unripe and overly ripe bananas contain a similar amount of pectin, a type of dietary fiber that is water-soluble. Thanks to these properties, they have a cleansing effect on the intestines. Pectins also bind with cholesterol, thus lowering its level.
However, unripe bananas contain more fiber due to the resistant starch content, which converts into simple sugars as the fruit ripens. That's why bananas with brown spots on their skin are sweeter. They also contain more antioxidants. But it's better to consume the more mature ones during the day, while in the evening, it's much more advantageous to opt for a greenish fruit.
Why eat bananas before bed?
There are several tangible benefits. The fiber in the fruit improves metabolism. It helps remove lingering toxins from the intestines, facilitating bowel movements the next morning. Bananas also contain high amounts of magnesium and potassium. Because of this, they have a soothing effect not only on the brain and the nervous system but also on the muscles. If you're woken up by nighttime cramps, this might be a solution for you.
