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Bananas

Bananas vary in flavor from starchy to sweet, depending on their variety and ripeness. They are a staple in many tropical cuisines, where their leaves are often used as eco-friendly, disposable containers and plates. (Read more on Wikipedia.)

While bananas are a good source of many vital nutrients (including vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese), they are probably best known for their high potassium content. Potassium helps counteract the effects of salt on blood pressure, can reduce the risk of developing kidney stones, and possibly decreases age-related bone loss. (Read more about potassium on Health.gov and get your banana nutrition facts at Self.com.)

Keep bananas at room temperature until ripened. Once ripened, bananas can be refrigerated for 3-5 days. Over ripe bananas can be put in freezer in a plastic bag and used for smoothies (still frozen) or banana bread (thawed).