Banana Facts
Banana Facts You Didn't Know
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, bananas give 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-add to our daily diet.
Bananas ease depression. According to a recent survey undertaken among
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.
Bananas can help women cope with PMS. Forget the pills and eat a banana
instead. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels,
which can affect your mood.
Bananas combat anemia. High in iron, bananas can stimulate the
production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Bananas help regulate blood pressure. This unique tropical fruit is
extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it good for blood
pressure regulation. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration has
allowed the
banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to
reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Bananas boost brain power. In a recent study, two hundred students at a
Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams 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.
Bananas soothe heartburn. Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the
body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing
relief.
Bananas are good for 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.
Bananas calm your nerves and help fight stress. Bananas are high in B
vitamins that help calm the nervous system. They contain Potassium, 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.
Bananas help prevent strokes. According to research in "The New England
Journal of Medicine", eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut
the risk of having a stroke much as 40%!
Bananas reduce warts. People 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 band aid or surgical tape!
A banana 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 its time to change that
well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor
away!"
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