Blueberry and Banana Smoothie: Full of Antioxidants and Great for Hair
Sugar has a very bad reputation.
And thatโs because itโs fun for the palate and agony for the body. Sugar is linked to so many chronic ailments.
Maybe if we are young, we can get away with eating sugar as the amount of physical activity burns the glucose away. However as we get older and more sedentary, sugar sticks around and stays much much longer and manifests in the form of wrinkles, age spots, weight gain, aches and other signs of ageing.
But not everything sweet must be shunned. You can get your daily dose of sweetness from fruits.
The melons, blueberries and bananas contain sugar, but they also have fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (read anti-ageing compounds).
So eating fruits is satisfying, energizing and beautifying. Quite a combination!
You can pick your choice of fruits, but hereโs the drink I enjoy: blueberry and banana smoothie โ letโs call it B&B smoothie. Not only does it look gorgeous and taste great, but this smoothie is brim-full of antioxidants.
Before we see how to make B&B smoothie, letโs look at some amazing benefits of blueberry and banana.
Blueberries: The Anti-Aging Powerhouse
The antioxidant score of blueberries is very high. (A foodโs antioxidant power is measured in units called ORACs, or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.)
A higher score means more antioxidant power to fight free radicals. You must have heard about free radicals in relation to aging. They are unstable oxygen molecules that cause oxidation, or โrustโ, in our arteries and organs.
Unfortunately, you canโt avoid free radicals. Free radicals are a byproduct of regular metabolism. But they can also enter your system when you eat junk and fried foods or when you breathe polluted air and tobacco smoke or drink alcohol or stress too much.
Free radicals can cause heart disease, certain cancers, memory loss, muscle and joint pain and vision trouble. The most visible effects of free radical damage are wrinkles, age spots, saggy-looking skin, grey hair as well as thinning and hair loss.
The good news is that you can stop the free radicals from causing menace in your life by upping your intake of fruits and vegetables โ all of them contain antioxidants. They will neutralise free radicals and help slow down your body from aging.
Why give special attention to Blueberries?
Because they top the antioxidant charts and like in general life everyone kind of gives special attention to toppers, so blueberry too gets special attention.
And thatโs the reason many researchers have started taking interest in this little berry.
Blueberries get their gorgeous deep blue colour from anthocyanins. Blueberry also contain other amazing phytonutrients such asย resveratrol and pterostilbene. These not only act as antioxidant nutrients, but they also have anti-diabetic, heart-protective, brain-protective, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive (anti-cancer) properties.
Blueberry can keep you away from a number of diseases. Multiple studies show that blueberries can helpย lower blood pressure and reduce arterial stiffness. This super berry has also gained a reputation for being a top brain food that can boost memory and slow cognitive decline, even in old age.
Itโs a wonderful snack for children as it helps their brains stay sharp and provides them with energy. In a 2016 study, primary school kids who drank a blueberry smoothie did much better at mental tasks compared to those who had a different drink.
A similar study, done with young adults, also reported improved learning and alertness after drinking a blueberry smoothie.
No wonder my every cell feels energised and awakened after drinking B&B smoothie.
Banana: The Energy Booster
After singing so much praise for blueberry, the humble banana is not just a filler. It too has its own share of goodness.
Banana can give you quick boost of energy but without the crazy side effect of candy or cola. No wonder itโs a favorite fruit among athletes and tennis players. You have probably seen champion tennis players Federer, Nadal and Djokovic munch on bananas in between sets.
Even though banana is quite sweet and contains natural sugars (fructose and glucose), it still gets the low glycemic index (GI) rating. And is even recommended byย American Diabetes Association for its multiple health benefits. The natural fruit sugar combined with fiber and complex carbs does the trick.
Banana is also a great stomach soother. From bloating to diarrhea to constipation to everything in-between, banana keeps your gut healthy and well. The pre-biotics and fiber that you find packed in fancy bottles are naturally present in this lovely fruit.
A healthy gut means you will absorb the antioxidants, vitamin and minerals from the foods you eat better. And these nutrients will in turn feed your skin, hair follicles, and body, so no more dull skin, falling hair and aching joints.
Besides, if you are trying to lose weight and want to skip a banana, donโt. Bananas contain plant sterols that not only help with fat burning but also keep cholesterol levels in check.
Since we are hair obsessedย people, the banana will help beat bad hair blues. Itโs high in vitamin B6 and magnesium, both of these will pull you out of frustration and fill you with enthusiasm to make your own banana hair mask or a herbal hair rinse or a natural shampoo, instead of just emptying synthetic products on your hair.
Okay, enough of blueberry and banana gaga, letโs get to work and make the B&B smoothieโฆshall we.
How to Make B & B Smoothie (Full of Antioxidants)
You will need:
- 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 banana
- 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter
- nutriblender
Optional Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut flakes
- 1 teaspoon hemp seed powder
- 7-10 soaked almonds
- a dash of cinnamon
Place the blueberries in a blender, and slice in the banana (and other optional ingredients). Add almond/peanut butter and whizz together for a few seconds until smooth. Thatโs it.
Pour into a glass and enjoy this delicious smoothie!
Extra Notes:ย
What is the best time to drink this smoothie?
The first thing in the morning, before breakfast, or after exercise or run. You can also drink it as a mid-afternoon snack.
Can I add more fruits?
Yes, you can add other fruits like apple, raspberry, strawberries, orange etc. But avoid melons, as they are not team players and donโt like to blend in with other fruits.
Do you enjoy B&B smoothie? Have you noticed any positive effects from drinking it?
