BANANAS!

[LuzyC 0]

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 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 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 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. 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 & 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 its time to change that

well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

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.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

...and don't forget you can smoke the peel!

[LuzyC 0]

..oppsss..didnt see it post here before,,anyway I love bananas!

Edited November 2, 2006 by LuzyC

[Kathryn41 3,205]

and for those who are diabetic and like to use them for a quick sugar fix when their blood sugars are low - and for those counting carbohydrates - remember half a banana is considered 1 serving, so 1 full banana is 2 servings of fruit:-).

I LOVE peanut butter and banana sandwiches!

[sarah and hicham 3]

Whenever I get a smoothie I order it without the banana. It overpowers all the other fruits! I hate that!

[LuzyC 0]

and for those who are diabetic and like to use them for a quick sugar fix when their blood sugars are low - and for those counting carbohydrates - remember half a banana is considered 1 serving, so 1 full banana is 2 servings of fruit:-).

I LOVE peanut butter and banana sandwiches!

Hmmmm..banana and peanut butter in wheat bread..yummy!..my regular meal at night!

[mawilson 2,133]

Your posts always make smile, Luz.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

I don't look at bananas the same after seeing some very provocative pictures of one of my officemates on an iPod. Very disturbing!!!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Anybody here remember this show?

One banana, two banana, three banana, four

Four bananas make a bunch and so do many more.

Over hill and highway the banana buggies go

Coming on to bring you the Banana Splits show...

Yeah, bananas rock!

[Mags 112]

I love bananas....must be the shape.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Bananas were LO-ONG known as "poor man's apple", but I can remember an article saying this was not so as banana TRUMPS apple nutritionally.

[LuzyC 0]

Your posts always make smile, Luz.

Thanks!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

and for those who are diabetic and like to use them for a quick sugar fix when their blood sugars are low - and for those counting carbohydrates - remember half a banana is considered 1 serving, so 1 full banana is 2 servings of fruit:-).

I LOVE peanut butter and banana sandwiches!

I guess that serving measurement is for yellow-cavendish (around 95% of bananas sold in US). If it's a baby banana (much smaller and better-tasting--we picked up a few bunches at H-mart recently), would it then be 1:1?