No we’re not kidding. The humble banana may prove to be a lifesaver for sleep apnea sufferes.

Australian researchers have found that downing an unconventional nightcap of a banana smoothie may help keep sufferers’ throats from closing and reduce the risk of blocked breathing.

Preliminary results of a study from Australia’s University of New England show that drinking a banana smoothie at bedtime helps keep the throat open during sleep. The phospholipids. or fatty acids, stay active in the mouth for six hours-long enough to get a reasonable amount of uninterruped sleep.

“Our initial findings suggest that bananas may offer a relatively cheap and tasty alternative as part of the treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea,” said researcher Dr. Tom Van der Touw.

But be sure to brush your teeth first, he added, since the smoothie proved most effective when consumed after brushing.

Sleep Savvy Magazine

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