Health & Benefits
March 31st 2020 ・ 10 min reading
Bananas are a rising star in Millennial households, which are boosting their spending on fresh fruit and vegetables.
The US Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) and the UK’s Office for National Statistics both report huge increases in expenditure, with CES finding a 77% rise in fruit purchases among this important group.
With only 121 calories and less than half a gram of fat, no cholesterol and 2.5g of fiber, a large Chiquita banana is seen as the perfect choice for the diet-conscious younger generation. Millennials are embracing healthier, more active lifestyles and are increasingly aware of the role that nutritious food plays as the foundation for great health.
Bananas are a good snack for school because not only can they be easily eaten on the go, they’re known as one of the best superfoods that are essential for good health and wellbeing. They’re an easy and delicious healthy snack for today’s health-conscious generation that offer a much better between-meal option than other processed junk foods.
Another reason why bananas are a good snack for school is that studies have found that bananas are excellent for brain health too! They’re a fantastic source of potassium, manganese, vitamin C and fiber, and research shows that they can enhance memory –– which is great news for exam time!
Bananas contain vitamin B6 and provide a generous amount of magnesium, an important mineral that helps boost brain function. They also contain amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine, which the body uses to help produce vital “feel good” neurotransmitters –– serotonin and dopamine –– as well as the “learning amino”, norepinephrine. These are important aids to regulate mood and help us stay calm and focused, while reducing anxiety and stress, and supporting concentration at the same time.
The brain needs glucose to function properly, but the refined sugars found in candy bars and other junk foods are quickly digested and therefore cannot support the brain’s long-term requirements. The natural fructose and soluble fiber in a banana work together in perfect union –– the fiber slows the breakdown and release of the sugar, enabling our bodies to maintain a constant supply of glucose to the brain.
Make Chiquita bananas THE healthy snack to buy for your days on campus. Include bananas into your daily routine to ensure you get the nutrients you need to start your day full of energy, boost brain power, maintain a positive mood, and to keep you going when the others have called it quits! College can be challenging with long classes and loads of assignments. So even on really long days, a Chiquita banana can be your best friend!