BANANA

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Bananas contain three kind of 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 banana 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 it helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE
The 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 offical 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 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.

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

HEARTBURN
Banana 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 carvings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep level 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 neutralises over-acidity and reduce irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

BODY TEMP CONTROL
Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physcial and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant woman eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

So a banana really is a natural remedy for many illnesses. When you compare it to an apple, it has 4X the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, 3X the phosphorus, 5X 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 we can 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 shoes...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit!

Ripe Banana are better and more effective...

(Adapted from the internet and Facebook)

(Images credits belongs to their owner)