Banana Benefits for Healthy Kidneys

Eating four of these a week can cut your risk of kidney cancer in half. Hint: You need to peel it.

Yep, we're talking bananas. They're bursting with phenolic compounds that appear to thwart renal-cancer cells. And that's not all the monkey's favorite fruit brings to your body . . .

Phenols, Potassium, and More
Phenols -- plant-based substances linked to all sorts of health benefits, from cancer prevention to heart health -- aren't the only goodies that bananas have to offer. No doubt you already know about the super potassium stores in the yellow-skinned fruit (450 milligrams in one banana!). But they're also a good source of B vitamins like B6 and folate, plus calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C. (Learn how the B vitamins in bananas could help you get happy.)

Bananas Everywhere
A fresh, whole banana makes a great snack. But why stop there with this versatile fruit?

• Skip the Frappuccino. Make this EatingWell smoothie instead: Blueberry-Banana Batido.
• For a healthy (and satisfying) snack, top rice cakes with bananas and natural peanut butter. Here's how it looks.
• Add flavor to fish or pork with a Banana-Orange Relish.
• Go ahead: Enjoy this delicious, guilt-free dessert: Cocoa-Nut Bananas.

Fruits, vegetables and risk of renal cell carcinoma: a prospective study of Swedish women. Rashidkhani, B., Lindblad, P., Wolk, A., International Journal of Cancer 2005 Jan 20;113(3):451-455.