Why do people say bananas give you energy but people also say they make you sleep better? Don’t they contradict?
In: Biology
Bananas are rich in starch (a form of carbohydrates) and natural sugars, so it´s true that it gives immediate energy. u/Riconquer2 mention tryptophan, and bananas contain some of that too. It also contains potassium, which matters for sleep and muscle relaxation.
So the banana is good for a boost, but the relaxing stuff in it needs a bit of time to work properly.
The overwhelming majority of health claims that people make about food are made up nonsense. However, your example might not necessarily be bullshit.
All food gives you energy. Thats its entire function. You’re taking in chemicals that your body can use as fuel to make energy.
Its also possible that bananas contain a particular chemical that aids in sleep. Instead of making you sleepy, it helps you stay asleep, or keeps you in REM for longer, or whatever. Measuring sleep quality is kind of difficult outside of a lab, so we often rely on people’s stories for that kind of data.
Turkey is a good example of this. Turkey will absolutely give you energy. Its a nutrient dense food that your body can run off of. It also contains tryptophan, which in sufficiently high doses will make you very sleepy.
Meh. One person says they are a stool softener. The next says they will constipate you. What are you gonna do? Keep eating the fucking bananas.
Latest Answers