10 July 2023 , 19:03
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We all know the importance of getting our five a day - but sometimes it's easier said than done.
Ripe fruit spoils quickly, so if you leave your bananas out of sight, it's easy to return and find they've gone off.
Even if they take pride of place in your cupboard, they'll often turn sooner than you'd hoped - bad news if you don't enjoy mushy bananas.
Thankfully, there could be a tip that makes your bananas - and money - stretch further.
As highlighted in a TikTok video shared by @user8100293452186, there are steps you can take to slow down the ripening process.
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Titled 'food storage tips that your greengrocer would never tell you,' the narrator explained: "Rinse [your bananas] with water to remove the ripening agent on the surface, then dry them with a paper towel.
"Wrap the stem of the bananas with a wet paper towel to reduce the amount of ethylene they release. This way, they can stay fresh for a long time."
However, once you've perfected your banana storage, you might want to avoid opting for the healthy snack right before bed.
According to the experts at , the popular fruit could be the cause of a bad night's sleep. The pros explained: "Bananas are a superfood that can be enjoyed pretty much any time of the day. However, eating them too close to bedtime can contribute to a restless night's sleep and stimulate vivid dreams or nightmares."
They added: "Due to their high levels of magnesium which relax the muscles and calm the body, many people can benefit from their soothing effects late at night. However, bananas also produce a high amount of melatonin and too much melatonin can have the opposite effect of its intended purpose."
If you don't want to forego your snack, it's recommended to aim to enjoy the fruit an hour or two before you're hoping to drift off.