9 Surprising Banana Benefits That Go Beyond Your Daily Dose of Potassium
Updated: Jun. 06, 2023
Bananas not only taste delicious, but they're also packed with potassium, antioxidants, vitamins, biotin and minerals that nourish your hair and skin. Here are some of the many benefits of bananas.
Get a Boost of Energy
Need a little pick-me-up during the middle of the day? Bananas have a combination of complex carbs, amino acids, natural sugars and other minerals that provide a natural energy boost.
Moisturize Skin
Bananas are the secret to well moisturized skin. The vitamin A in bananas restores moisture and repairs dry skin. Mash a ripe banana and apply it to dry skin, avoiding contact with your eyes. Leave on for 20-25 minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water for instantly moisturized skin. This LOVLUV Real Milky Banana Face Mask ($11) will also leave your face hydrated.
Condition Hair
Bananas offer many natural benefits to keep your hair looking fabulous, like folic acid that makes hair shine, while also keeping it moisturized and well hydrated. Try making our two-ingredient deep-conditioning hair mask for super soft strands.
Treat Dry Feet
The moisturizing benefits of bananas are also great for treating dry, cracked heels. Mash two ripe bananas and apply to clean, dry feet. Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse feet with lukewarm water. The nourishing banana pulp will give you soft feet.
Relieve Tired and Puffy Eyes
Banana peels can be used to reduce puffy eyes. Enjoy a banana for breakfast, lie down and gently place the banana peels on your eyes. Let sit for 15-20 minutes, remove the peels and rinse with cool water for a bright, refreshed look.
Relieve Itchy Mosquito Bites
The sugars in the banana peel help draw the fluid out of itchy mosquito bites. Sanitize the affected area first, then rub the inside of the peel on the bite. Banana peels also help relieve the itch from poison ivy when used the same way.
Treat Acne
Bananas have anti-inflammatory properties which reduce the appearance and redness of acne. There’s been some success treating acne blemishes by gently rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana peel for a few minutes, rinsing with cool water and repeating a few times a day.
Sleep Better
Try eating a banana before bed if you’re having trouble falling asleep (try these other foods, too). The potassium and magnesium in bananas help relax muscles and promote sleep.
Whiten Teeth
Ripe banana peels can also be used to help whiten teeth. Cut off a piece of the peel and gently rub the inner part over your teeth for a couple of minutes. Wait about 10 minutes before you brush with toothpaste. Repeat 1-2 times for best results. Looking for more health benefits of banana peels? Learn whether banana peels are edible or not.
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Originally Published: February 12, 2019
