Bananas. Containing three natural sugars: sucrose, fructose and
>> > > >glucose combined with fibre, 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 bod
>> > > y 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 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 fibre, 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 in
>> > > sect 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 crisps. 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 wit
>> > > hout distress in
>> > > >over-chronicler cases.
>> > > >It also neutralises 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. In Thailand, 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: 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 regul
>> > > ates
>> > > >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 miner
>> > > als.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >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!".
>> > > >Pass this on to all of your on-line friends and
>> > > >family.
