Health & Life

Unlock Superfoods: Bananas + 1 Other Fruit for Longevity

When combining bananas with this exotic fruit, researchers witnessed its incredible ability to prolong overall lifespan.

Administrator

23 April, 2024

A new study published in the journal Nutrients has found that eating bananas and apples together may help you live longer. Eating a combination of bananas and apples three to six times per week was linked to a 43% lower risk of death from all causes.

The study was conducted by researchers at Dalian Medical University and Yangzhou University in China. They set out to investigate whether fruit consumption had any impact on mortality rates in people with high blood pressure.

Data was taken from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) which included 2,480 adults with high blood pressure. They were followed for 10 years, during which time there were 658 deaths from various causes.

The results showed that people with high blood pressure who ate bananas three to six times per week had a 24% lower risk of death from all causes, compared to those who ate bananas less than once a month. And people with high blood pressure who ate apples three to six times per week had a 40% lower risk of premature death, compared to those who ate apples less than once a month.

Eating Bananas and Apples Together Has Unexpected Benefits

The researchers were surprised to find that eating bananas and apples together three to six times per week was linked to a 43% lower risk of death from all causes. However, they also noted that eating even more bananas and apples did not provide any additional longevity benefits.

Eating other types of fruit, including pears, pineapples, and grapes, was not associated with a reduced risk of premature death in people with high blood pressure.

The researchers concluded that eating apples and bananas together may help people with high blood pressure lower their risk of death from all causes. They recommend eating one to two bananas and apples per day.

Why are bananas and apples such a powerful combination?

Both bananas and apples are rich in phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-aging, and antiviral properties. Bananas are higher in potassium than any other fruit, which may help to lower blood pressure and reduce the overall risk of death. Apples, on the other hand, are rich in fiber and phenolic compounds that have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. In particular, the polyphenols in apples may reduce chronic disease and lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.

This is why eating bananas and apples together was linked to a reduced risk of death from all causes in people with high blood pressure, while eating other fruits was not.

However, the researchers caution that these findings should not be taken to mean that other fruits are not beneficial for health. It is still important to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.

Frequently asked questions

Consuming 1-2 bananas and apples daily is recommended. Eating these fruits 3-6 times a week is associated with a lower risk of premature death, especially in individuals with high blood pressure. However, eating more than this amount doesn’t provide additional longevity benefits, according to the study.

For individuals with high blood pressure, eating bananas 3-6 times a week reduced the risk of death from all causes by 24% compared to those who ate bananas less frequently. Apples offered an even more significant benefit, lowering the risk of premature death by 40% when consumed 3-6 times weekly. The potassium in bananas and the fiber and polyphenols in apples are key to these health benefits.

While the study specifically highlighted the benefits of bananas and apples, other fruits like pears, pineapples, and grapes did not show the same association with reduced risk of premature death in people with high blood pressure. However, it’s important to note that a varied diet including a range of fruits and vegetables is still essential for overall health and well-being.