8 Surprising benefits of bananas

Bananas aren't just for smoothies! Oh no, this delicious fruit holds a ton of secrets that can literally change your life. I know you're not going to believe some of the surprising benefits of this common fruit–read on!

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Even though many health conscious buffs dislike the banana because of its high sugar content, a banana a day can keep your body and your looks in great shape because it's full of antioxidants and valuable vitamins. They're quite literally a great way to stay beaufiul and healthy without spending a forturne.

Check out the eight most surprising benefits that bananas have to offer.

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Controls blood pressure & cholesterol

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Bananas contain the perfect mix of calcium, magnesium, potassium and fiber, which all work to control low blood pressure and bad LDL cholesterol. On top of all that, they prevent stomach cancer, ulcers and improve your intestine's productivity.

Constipation relief

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Stomach problems? Bananas are your best friends! Not only do they help control diarrhea, they're also effective when it comes to helping with constipation. And since it's such a great remedy to help with your stomach issues, it also helps with hemorrhoids.

Hangover helper

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Searching for a good remedio for hangover? You're in luck: a mixture of yogurt, honey and banana works like magic if you had a little too much to drink. Did you quit smoking cold turkey? A banana a day can help with your nicotine cravings thanks to its high content of vitamins B6 and B12.

Prevents insomnia

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Bananas are rich in amino acids, substances that help increase melatonin–the hormone that helps with sleep. A banana or a non-dairy banana smoothie will help you sleep like a baby.

Help with mosquito bites

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If you have mosquito bites or your skin is inflamed because of bug bits, take the peel of a banana and rub it on the affected area. You'll see how it helps calm your itch immediately. Another benefit? Bananas can be a pregnant woman's best friend because they help with morning sickness, mood swings and depression.

Perfect hair

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Bananas are miracle workers for hair. To help cure hair loss, mash a very ripe banana with yogurt and apply it all over your scalp for 20 minutes. Do you have dry hair? Banana and yogurt mixed and applied as a conditioner will do wonders. Finally, to return luster to your dull hair, just use olive or coconut oil, avocado and banana; mash these up and apply to your hair. You won't believe how shiny it will look again!

Perfect skin

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Banana's vitamin C makes it the ideal food to get radiant skin–be it in masks, exfoliating mixtures or creams. My favorite beauty concoctions? Mixed with strawberries and sugar to remove dead skin cells; mashed cold to help with puffy eyes; with sandalwood to eliminate oil from the skin without drying it out; and mixed with lemon to help with pesky manchas.

Don't throw out the peel!

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Banana peel is as miraculous as the fruit itself: Take a banana peel and rub it on your skin for five to 10 minutes a day. Even though it takes a while to work, trust me when I tell you it helps with severe acne, psoriasis, itching from bug bites and getting rid of wrinkles. Who would have known?