Bananas are the perfect snack on the go. They’re easy to just grab and eat. However, there are also amazing benefits to them. Below, we’ll look at 17 reasons why you should eat two bananas a day for optimal health.

1. They Keep Your Blood Pressure Under Control

The potassium content of bananas (one medium-sized banana has 13% of your daily potassium) helps your body rid itself of extra sodium when you urinate. Additionally, bananas relax the walls of your blood vessels. Both of these things are instrumental in lowering blood pressure. (1)

1. Bananas Fight Diabetes

Laura Flores, a nutritionist in San Diego, says bananas “protect against developing Type 2 diabetes.” Time to start packing them in your lunch! (2)

1. They Are Naturally Fat-Free

One serving of banana, or one medium banana, has 0g of fat, making it an appealing snack. (3)

1. Just Say “No” To Kidney Stones

It’s the potassium again! The potassium in bananas can help prevent your body from producing kidney stones, which are painful to pass. (1)

1. Bananas Make Your Muscles Feel Good

The potassium in bananas keeps your muscles working well, which helps if you’re prone to muscle soreness, or if you’re involved in sports like running or yoga where you need to be limber. (1)

1. They Can Help With Stomach Problems, Too

If you’re prone to diarrhea or stomach problems, grab bananas. They can replenish the electrolytes that are lost with illness. Not only that, bananas are also considered easy to digest, due to how the starch in them breaks down. (3)

1. Bananas Shield Against Free Radicals

Nutritionist Laura Flores says that “bananas are high in antioxidants, which can provide protection from free radicals, which we come into contact with every day, from the sunlight to the lotion you put on your skin.” (2)

1. The Riper The Better: They Boost Blood Cells

If your banana has dark speckles on it, don’t throw it away. The ones with these dark spots are 8 times better at enhancing the white blood cells in the body. White blood cells are those little guys that work to fight infection in the body. (2)

1. They Help You Lose Weight

Three different studies show that while other fruits are linked to long-term weight gain, bananas are actually linked to losing weight over time. So if you’ve heard bananas are bloating, it’s just a myth. (3)

1. The Peels Help Bug Bites

Banana peels have antioxidant chemicals and can be used to soothe skin irritations, such as bug bites. (3)

1. 2 Bananas= 20% Of Daily Fiber

One banana has three grams of your daily fiber intake. That means by having two for breakfast, you’ve conquered ⅕ of your daily fiber goals. (1)

1. The Less-Ripe Ones Lower Blood Sugar

If you like your bananas green, you’re still helping yourself! The resistant starch in the underripe ones, help lower your blood sugar. (1)

1. They Take The Edge Off (The Flu)

The probiotics contained in bananas will help reduce the problems caused by colds and flus. (1)

1. Bananas And B6

Two bananas will give you half of your daily vitamin B6 goals! (1)

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is so important–and two bananas will give you 30% of your recommended daily dose. (2)

1. Super Vision

This amazing fruit contains Vitamin A, which can help your eyesight! (1)

1. They Fight Depression

“Due to high levels of tryptophan, which the body converts to serotonin, the mood-elevating brain neurotransmitter,” they are great for improving mood, according to Laura Flores. (2)