You Will Never Look At A Banana The Same Way Again After Reading This

Bananas are the most popular fruit in the world. In fact, it is among the most widely consumed fruits on the planet and, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Americans’ favorite fresh fruit.

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A medium-sized banana contains only 95 calories, and provides a quick but sustained energy boost in a natural, nutritious and easily digestible form with no fat, cholesterol or sodium.

Research has verified 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. However, 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.

Bananas are high in iron that can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood, therefore, helps in cases of anemia.

There are 200 students at Twickenham School in England 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.

This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium, yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. As a result, the US Food and Drug Administration have allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Bananas may not be overflowing with calcium, but they are still helpful in keeping bones strong. According to a 2009 article in the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, bananas contain an abundance of fructooligosaccharides. These are non-digestive carbohydrates that encourage digestive-friendly probiotics and boost the body's ability to absorb calcium.

Some evidence suggests that moderate consumption of bananas may be protective against kidney cancer because of their high levels of antioxidant phenolic compounds. A 2005 Swedish study found that women who ate more than 75 servings of fruits and vegetables cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40 percent, and that bananas were especially effective. Women eating four to six bananas a week halved their risk of developing kidney cancer.

Bananas are high in fiber, thus, including it in the diet can help restore normal bowel action without resorting to laxatives.

According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND, people suffering from depression felt so 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.

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, it builds up depleted blood sugar levels while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try to eat a banana for soothing relief.

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it incredibly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Forget the pills and eat a banana. The vitamin B6 a banana contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Many other cultures see bananas as a ‘cooling’ fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for instance, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

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.

Carrots may get all the glory for helping your eyes, but bananas do their share as well. The fruits contain a small but significant amount of vitamin A, which is essential for protecting your eyes, maintaining normal vision and improving vision at night, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Bananas are a great weight loss food because they taste sweet and are filling, which helps curb cravings. They also help sustain blood sugar levels during workouts.

There are no significant side effects associated with eating bananas when eaten in moderation. However, eating the fruits in excess may trigger headaches and sleepiness. Eating bananas becomes significantly risky only if you eat too many. The USDA recommends that adults eat about two cups of fruit a day, or about TWO bananas. If you eat DOZENS of bananas every day, there may be a risk of excessively high vitamin and mineral levels.

So that’s it, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ailments. 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. Perhaps, it’s time to share with your family and friends this familiar phrase, “A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!”

[Source 1, Source 2 | Photo Credit]