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Bananas

tettridge profile image
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A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression 'going bananas' is from the effects of bananas on the brain. Read on:

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!

This is interesting.

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

Bananas contain 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 hemoglobin 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 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 ( England ) 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.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

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.

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

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

Smoking &Tobacco Use: 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.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

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 ills. 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's time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!'

PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit!!

Glad I like Bananas.

Take care and kindest regards

Terry

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tettridge
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14 Replies
hamble99b profile image
hamble99b

I'll have to try and eat 'nanas again! used to love 'em on butties :P

Shazzzy profile image
Shazzzy

I usually take a banana and water with me whenever I go out, they are the perfect 'fast food'.

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Can I add one please?

I am allergic to bananas, the natural pigmentation contains an ingredient that would give me respiratory failure!

Sorry, didn't mean to put a damper on it?

tettridge profile image
tettridge in reply toTheAuthor

My brother in law suddenly became allergic to bananas and ended up in hospital. He had been eating them all his life up to them.

Weird what you can become allergic to.

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply totettridge

My allergy came on suddenly as I use to eat bananas all the time!

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger

Poor Ken. I've added one, too. (if you see what I mean). Arising out of the stress thing, I now eat a banana just before bed time. It's said to assist sleep.

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply tofenbadger

I had read about this on the medi.org site. Wasn't sure if they were right or not? Something to do with a natural sedative chemical in the fruit.

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply toTheAuthor

It seems to work, but not every night, and I have other tactics which may disguise the effect. I'm not complaining though.

Furry profile image
Furry

Amazing facts, thanks for sharing. A banana a day for me from now on. X

loppyloo61 profile image
loppyloo61

Amazing Facts thanks for sharing them with us Terry!!

Perhaps that is why my dear nan stayed with us until she was almost 96 years young, without loosing "any marbles", as she swore by a banana a day!!

Many thanks, hope you have a great banana Bank Holiday Weekend!! XX

Midori profile image
Midori

I know another downside to a banana. Don't eat one when or just before drinking alcohol, the alcohol reacts with the sugars in the banana and will make you drunk much more quickly.

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply toMidori

Excuse me? That's like the warning on termazepam. Do not take with alcohol as may increase soporific effect. UM. YES. That's exactly what I'm trying to achieve. Why don't they be honest and say the mix will make you ill.

Note. Please do not try this at home. :P

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply tofenbadger

I swallow two Bourbons at night to help with my sleep!

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply toTheAuthor

That must be terrible for you. My sympathy :P

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