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One of the UK's most favoured, this fruithas been hailed a breakfast staple forone key reason— it instantly lifts your mood. Happy in colour, bananas are are one to consume daily. Now an expert has shared why:

With their easy-peel organic wrapping, bananas are the perfect snack for any carry-on. . Packed full of vitamins, the fruit is rich in potassium, which aids in regulating fluid balance, muscle contractions and nerve signals.

Gut Expert Nishtha Patel spoke to the Mirror, where she explained why they can be such a mood booster.

She said: "Many people notice that eating a banana can lift their mood surprisingly quickly. From a physiological standpoint this makes perfect sense. Bananas contain natural carbohydrates that provide a rapid glucose supply to the brain. The brain depends on glucose for energy so if someone is running low,restoring levels can improve alertness and emotional steadiness within minutes".

Being a source of energy, bananas are full of carbohydrates and B vitamins. Their fibre also works to slow down the absorption of sugar which prevents energy crashes later in the day.

Depending on how ripe the fruit is, a banana could contain between three to five grams of fibre, improving anyone's bowel movements. The Times of India wrote: "You're essentially giving your heart and muscles a real morning pep talk," a result of the high potassium content which flushes out sodium and relaxing your blood vessels. Moreover, they contain Vitamin B6 and Tryptophan, precursors to the "happy hormones" serotonin and dopamine.

Nishta added: "Bananas are rich in vitamin B6, which plays an important role in neurotransmitter production. B6 acts as a cofactor for the conversion of the amino acid tryptophan into serotonin, the neurotransmitter associated with mood, emotional regulation and sleep. Bananas containsmall amounts of tryptophan themselves"

She added that, "although the amounts are not therapeutic on their own, the brain is highly sensitive to substrate availability when someone is fatigued, hungry or stressed, so even modest increases can make a noticeable difference".

They also boast a wealth of other essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, antioxidants and manganese, all of which bolster your immune system. Interestingly, both potassium and manganese are electrolytes, known for preventing cramps and aiding recovery – essentially positioning bananas as the ideal pre or post-workout sweet treat.

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However, their relatively high sugar content could potentially lead to an energy crash if consumed alone, making them best paired with an 'activating' companion. The expert warned "Carbohydrate-containing foods activate reward pathways in the brain through dopamine signaling which can create a feeling of comfort or satisfaction. Bananas deliver this without the inflammatory blood sugar spike associated with ultra processed snacks, and their high potassium content supports muscle relaxation which helps reduce physical tension".

"Taken together, a banana offers a fast energy source for the brain, nutritional support for serotonin synthesis through tryptophan and vitamin B6, and a gentle dopamine mediated reward response. These mechanisms explain why such a simple piece of fruit can noticeably lift mood for many people".

But be warned, excessive potassium can pose issues for individuals with specific health conditions, such as people suffering from kidney disease or on certain medications affecting potassium levels. Furthermore, those that are overly ripe, may contain high levels of tyramine, which can induce headaches in some people - in such cases, it's advisable to opt for less ripe bananas.