People often claim bananas to be a good-to-eat option that helps with hangovers. But do they really? And if yes, then how?
Banana is a common plant tuber that is rich in magnesium and potassium. Now, two of the major culprits leading to hangovers are dehydration and depletion of potassium ions, and bananas help to combat these two factors by replenishing the loss. Its composition includes 75% water and a large percentage of potassium, which helps to regain the lost minerals.
Want to know more about the rich ingredients that make bananas a good food to help with hangovers? Then without any further ado, let’s toggle through the article!
What Is A Banana Made Of? The Nutritional Composition
Banana is counted as one of the most important fruits on the planet that provides various nutritional benefits to the body. These include sugar, fibers, some complex carbohydrates, etc., and are counted as a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B and C.
To be specific, one medium-sized banana contains 89 calories in total, which contains the following:
- 0.3 grams of fat
- 1.1 gram of protein
- 2.6 grams of fiber
- 12 grams of sugar
- 22 grams of carbohydrates
- 75% water
How Does Banana Contribute To Curing Hangovers?
Now that we are up with the basic composition and nutritional makeup let’s figure out how each of these helps in combating hangovers.
Vitamin B6
Among the various vitamins present in bananas, one is vitamin B6. This vitamin helps to reduce the severity of hangover symptoms by increasing the metabolism of alcohol and breakdown. In fact, people and studies claim that Vitamin B6 intake reduces the hangover effect by more than 50 percent.
Apart from it, banana offers the following advantages:
- Ease nausea
- Improves brain function
- Reduce depression and anxiety
Antacid
A common problem that comes uninvited with hangovers is severe stomach pain and diarrhea. And if that’s the case with you, surely, nothing can be a better bet to make than antacids.
They are known to reduce heartburn, nausea, and upset stomachs by easing the irritated stomach lining.
So, you can take one like Maalox or Tums to counter the discomfort caused by a hangover.
Apart from it, antacids help break up stomach gas bubbles and treat ulcers and other stomach issues.
Source Of Potassium
Another reason why you should give bananas a shot when experiencing a hangover is that they are rich in potassium.
When drinking alcohol, lots of body fluid, along with minerals and electrolytes, get lost, out of which is potassium. On the other hand, Bananas are rich in potassium. So, consuming them can help to replenish the lost potassium percentage. Consequently, it helps keep muscle aches, body pain, and fatigue.
Additionally, potassium helps to
- Maintain proper body function
- Carry response between brain and body
- Balance the pH of the stomach
- Ensure normal water level in the body
- Regulate heart contraction
Vitamin C
And yes, how can one miss to mention vitamin C. Bananas are rich in vitamin C too. Where alcohol is rich in toxins and can cause inflammation in the body, Bananas have vitamin C, which helps flush out toxins, and the antioxidant nature helps reduce inflammation. In this way, it helps in overcoming hangover symptoms. Moreover, it boosts the immune system. Studies have shown that minerals and vitamins like B and C have a direct role in controlling the hangover effect.
Source Of Magnesium
Just like potassium, magnesium also gets depleted from the body due to the diuretic nature of alcohol. And Bananas help regain the electrolytic ion loss as it contains magnesium.
It helps to calm the muscles of the body, thus allowing better blood circulation, thus aiding in faster alcohol removal, and combating hangover symptoms.
Moreover, magnesium ion has the following role in our body:
- Regular nerve signals
- Control blood sugar level
- Maintain regular heart rate
- Make bones stronger
Carbohydrates and Fibers
Moreover, Bananas are rich in carbohydrates and fibers, which function no less than a cherry on the cake. These carbohydrates and fibers help to fuel the mind and provide some energy to the drained body and the hungry soul. In a parallel fashion, they help to raise the blood sugar level as well as settle the irritated stomach.
Similarly, fibers also help in easing the digestion process and helping kick-start the day with full energy.
These are a few reasons why and how bananas play their role in overcoming hangovers and their nasty symptoms.
So, what can be a better deal? One single banana, and you get so many nutritional benefits.
How To Consume Bananas To Treat A Hangover
Till now, you are well abreast with how bananas help cure hangovers. Now let’s enlist some of how you can consume bananas.
- You can eat raw bananas. They work the best.
- How about going for a Banana shake or smoothie? Either of them works equally well. Moreover, milk plays a role at its own end. And if you add honey, it turns out to be even better.
- You can also make banana tea. It’s equally good in taste and has soothing effects.
What Other Foods Help Cure A Hangover?
Apart from bananas, numerous other foods are quite helpful in curing a hangover. These include:
- Egg
- Ginger Tea
- Honey
- Salmon
- Pickled cucumber
- Herbal tea
- Energy Drinks
- Carbohydrate-rich food
Final Verdict
All in all, yes, bananas cure hangovers, but to an extent. They don’t prevent their onset. To prevent a hangover completely, you should stop drinking alcohol.
However, if you have already drunk booze, surely, bananas will help you combat the symptoms. The reason is that it contains magnesium and potassium, which helps to replenish the lost electrolytes.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
