Apple Versus Banana: Which Wins as the Healthiest Fruit?

ApplesandBananaAn apple a day keeps the doctor away but what does a banana do?

We've all heard that familiar cliché about apples. But gaining in popularity in medical circles is the benefit of a banana a day. If you are a caregiver in Massachusetts you may be asking yourself why a banana?

The aging experts at Fall River Jewish Home share this round up of the benefits of a daily banana:


· Stroke Prevention. Bananas have an unusual combination of being high in potassium but low in sodium. This makes them an ideal food to help lower blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to atherosclerosis, a leading cause of strokes.

· Ulcers and Stomach Irritations. If you've ever made a trip to an emergency room for a serious stomach virus, they likely recommended the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). High in pectin, bananas are known to help absorb acid in the stomach and rebalance electrolytes. That aids with both constipation and diarrhea.

· Bone Health. Fructooligosaccharide sounds like a bad thing. But it is actually a compound that feeds the good bacteria (probiotics) that lives in your colon. The result is that your body is better able to absorb calcium which in turn leads to healthier bones.

· Vitamin B6 Superstar. One little banana has as much as 34% of the RDA of Vitamin B6. For older adults, this is an especially important vitamin. It helps with everything from diabetes to obesity. It also is an anti-inflammatory which is important in preventing cardiovascular disease.

· Mood Elevator. Bananas are rich in tryptophan, a compound that is converted in to serotonin by your body. Serotonin is a known to help improve your mood. It can help with mild depression and seasonal affective disorder.

So what is the bottom line on bananas? The Wellness team at Fall River Jewish Homes agrees that you can't go wrong with an apple and a banana a day.

Did you know how beneficial a banana a day could be?

We're here to answer questions and help you make the best decision for care for you or your loved one. We invite you to reach out and talk with one of our care specialists at Fall River Jewish Home today! CALL 1.508.679.6172, where assistance is just a phone call away.

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