Thursday, September 17th, 2009

A Banana a Day

banana

Bananas is the world’s most popular fruit. It comes in a biodegradable wrapper and the fruit possibly originated in Malaysia. Bananas are a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C. They are very low in saturated fat and sodium, high in dietary fibre, potassium, in vitamin B6 and vitamin C. They contain all the 8 aminoacids our body cannot produce itself.

Energy Fuel

Bananas contain three natural sugars—glucose, fructose and sucrose combined with fiber. Hence, when energy levels dip snacking on banana provides an energy boost. 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.

Mood enhancer

The tryptophan in banana, a type of protein that our body converts in serotonin is known to help us relax, improve our mood and generally makes us feel happier. Research studies say that people suffering from depression feel better after eating a banana. Being rich in B vitamins bananas help calm the nervous system. Vitamin B6 in banana regulates blood glucose levels that can affect moods.

Digestive aid

Being a natural antacid, it neutralises over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Bananas are gentle on digestion. The high fibre in them help our bowels move. To wean infants pureed bananas are perfect as baby food. At the same time the fruit is helpful to combat diarrhoea and dysentery heals intestinal lesions etc.

Manages 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.

Hangover cure

A hard night partying starts with a hangover. One of the trusted ways to get rid of it is to have a banana milk shake 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.

Overweight and at work

While at work, we all crave to binge on unhealthy snacks—partially stress and low blood sugar levels share the blame. Research studies say 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.

Quit 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 buster

When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalise the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance.

Strokes

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%!

Mosquito bite

For mosquito bites try rubbing inside of a banana skin on the bite. Users say it works.

Eat at least one banana a day, they are said to contain everything a human needs and they contain all the 8 amino-acids our body cannot produce itself.

Being a natural antacid, it neutralises over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Bananas are gentle on digestion. The high fibre in them help our bowels move. To wean infants pureed bananas are perfect as baby food.

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  5. Papaya–The Golden Fruit

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