Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Power of Banana

BY Nancy Janiola IN , 16 comments

After reading this, you'll never look banana the same way again.

BANANA. Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many health problems. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

So maybe it is now time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"


16 comments:

Faust said...

bananas have lots of medicinal wonders, let's go bananas..

Journeys and Travels said...

so now I know the powers of banana to our health. thanks for this post!

Blair Villanueva said...

hehehehe i love bananas! laking province kasi ako, my mom has a plantation of bananas

tess said...

I always have bananas in my kitchen .My shopping list is not complete without the banana and apple .my kids always eat these fruits.

michi said...

we love bananas and it is staple in our kitchen. =)

chrisair said...

I love banana but never thought of lots of benefits in it

violy said...

hey this is great! Coz the only fruit i enjoy eating is banana and green mango! At least I'm eating something right.. ;)

Cha said...

Banana is so cool! Kaya wala pimples ang Monkey kasi they eat banana sabi ng kapatid ko ha ha ha! Galeng pala talaga ng banana anti depression pa aside from being a good source of potassium

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Gil Camporazo said...

Banana, the therapeutic fruit for all ages, is on the loose. No wonder it costs too dear in any resto or even in H&H store just around the corner of a public market. I don't have any idea what particular "breed" or specie of a banana so carries all these medicinal wonders!

Reaction thoughts from Gil Camporazo of RandomThoughts!

Jenny O'Toole said...

Absolutely true! If I missed breakfast at home. I'll make sure I have 1 banana or 1 large apple to take with me before working.
"It's very helpful when tummy starts to rumbble." - Jenny O'Toole

Michelle B said...

I didn't know that bananas had sooo many benefits! hahaha I definitely need a banana right now because my mood's going crazy due to my period. Feeling so tired and drained too. Will have one after dinner :)

yuuki said...

i try to eat banana twice a week but now i'll do it daily!

thanks for the info...

Carla Nazario said...

I always look for a banana when Im sad 'cause it's a feel-good fruit. But eating a lot won't make me feel good all day. Because of the serotonin that doesn't really reach the brain :|

kay said...

we need to eat lots of fruits ... not just bananas :)

Julie. -- said...

Banana really has a lot of benefits. The "saba" is very effective to lose weight and even good for the heart. However, if you are suffering from increase of potassium then I think you should refrain from eating banana. And for the heartburn, I recommend Chamomile Tea. It's the fastest cure for heartburn caused by Acid Reflux.

Chel said...

I'm rekindling my love for fruits and bananas are one of the them. My mom always tell me that its really healthy and good for the body. Thanks for sharing, I learned a lot from your posts.