There’s something so annoying to me about most recipe blogs… I generally just go to them to get the recipe, not to hear their personal story behind it. Harsh? EH. But because of this, all of my recipe blog posts will start, first and foremost, with the recipe. I know that’s why you’re really here.

If you want to know about the benefits of what you’re making, then please read my blurbs after the recipe. If not, no hard feelings! Just know that what you’re eating is probably the healthiest version on the internet. I never use refined sugars (this recipe is completed free of added sugars). I strategically use whole foods, natural ingredients to reduce the glycemic load on your body and reduces your body’s insulin response. I use easily accessible super foods when possible.

This is the best and healthiest banana bread recipe. This moist AF banana bread recipe is high-protein, paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free and includes no added sugars, nut-free and overall super allergy-friendly. AND it’s good for your brain!

Recipe

Ingredients

4 ripe bananas (and one optional banana for decoration)
3/4 cup Bob Red Mill’s organic coconut flour
1/2 cup collagen (100% grass-fed for bovine source, wild-caught for marine source)
4 pasture-raised eggs
1 tsp Bob Red Mill’s aluminum-free baking soda
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Simply Organic Ceylon cinnamon
1/2 tbsp Simply Organics pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp Redmond Real Salt
Optional: 1/4-1/2 cup coconut sugar, if you like it more traditionally sweet (I think ripe bananas are already sweet enough through)
Optional toppers: crush walnuts, slivered almonds, coconut flakes (I didn’t use any to keep it simple)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line a baking dish with parchment paper or grease with avocado oil.
Mash four very ripe bananas in a bowl.
Crack in the eggs and mix until combined.
Add in the vanilla and mix.
In a different bowl, add the coconut flour, baking soda, lemon juice, sea salt and cinnamon.
Optional: If using coconut sugar, mix it in with the dry ingredients.
Slowly mix in the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and combine,
Then add in collagen powder and mix.
Add batter to the baking dish and add toppers and sliced banana, as desired.
Bake for 30-45 minutes until the center is cooked through. A toothpick inserted into the middle of the pan should come out clean. If it doesn’t, it needs more time in the oven.
After baking, let the banana bread cool for 15-20 minutes to allow it to set.

Substitution notes

There is no adequate substitution for coconut flour because of its extreme absorbency.
I would not use a flax or chia seed egg in replacement of the eggs because it would make the batter too runny to cook through evenly. Sorry vegans!

Benefits of this banana bread

So, with every recipe that I try to healthify, I want to accomplish a few things:

sugar-free or at least refined sugar-free
limit insulin response (to aid in blood sugar regulation)
fuel your body, not weigh you down

This particular recipe, I was able to add in a few more goodies! Today we’ll dive into collagen and how it benefits your brain health.

Brain-Boosting Collagen

To make this make sense, I’ve got to break down some simple science for ya. Please bear with me!

Collagen is a clean source of protein and amino acids. Amino acids are basically protein building blocks that your body uses to complete numerous essential functions. One of the ways your body uses amino acids is to create neurotransmitters (chemical messengers that communicate between neurons and all the cells in your body). Collagen contains a vast array of essential amino acids. “Essential” means that our body can’t create them on its own and we need to consume them from our diet.

By supplying 19 out of 20 essential amino acids, collagen is a powerful way to begin to balance neurotransmitters. This means more energy and a more balanced mood.
One of the major amino acids in collagen is glycine. In addition to being an amino acid, glycine is also an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Its ability to balance our excitatory neurotransmitters gives it an anti-anxiety effect that promotes relaxation, calms thoughts (literally helping you think more positively) and can aid in improving sleep quality.
Collagen is also a powerful neuroprotector, specifically collagen type VI. This type of collagen protects the brain from amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque development. This type of plaque is one of the two major hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Collagen has also been shown to repair and regenerate the Central Nervous System, which makes it a viable and remarkable therapeutic option for those dementias, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimers’.

Overall collagen has been shown to improve brain health, to improve brain function and to stimulate regeneration for those with cognitive decline. I personally plan to continue to include it as a part of my daily disease prevention practices!

Suffice to say, high-quality collagen (keyword: high-quality) is a great and super easy addition to your baked good recipes that will benefit you far after your devour all your banana bread!

(Please note, I am only covering the major neurological effects and uses of collagen here. There are many other benefits, like its ability tighten skin and heal the gut, that I’m not diving into… That’s for another day!)

Brain-Boosting Banana Bread