Recent researches on banana would seem to indicate that it's time that the maxim "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" should now be replaced by "A banana a day keeps the doctor away."
Now, don't get me wrong. Apples can give you a lot of health benefits, but researches seem to point out that we can get a lot more from the lowly bananas. Compared to apples, bananas have four times more protein, twice more carbohydrate, three times more phosphorus, five times more vitamin A and iron, and twice more other vitamins and minerals.
Here are some of the findings pertainng to bananas' health benefits:
Powerful energy booster - its 3 natural sugar contents give instant and sustained energy. Just 2 bananas can provide enough energy for a strenous one and a half hour workout, much cheaper compared to synthetic energy pills or drinks. No wonder bananas are popular among athletes and workout afficionados.
Depression - survey reveals that bananas have a relaxing effect. A protein found in bananas, tryptopan, is responsible for this, and also improves your mood.
PMS - bananas contain vitamin B12 which regulates blood sugar level, aside form complementing tryptopan in improving your mood. The vitamin B12 also helps calm the nerves, and avoid morning sickness and hangovers [take note, drinkers].
Anemia - because bananas are also high in iron, it help stimulate the production of hemoglobin
Blood pressure and stroke - bananas' high potassium content is ideal for combatting high blood pressure and stroke. The US FDA has already given the banana industry the go signal to make its claim for the banana's ability to lower the risks of high blood pressure and stroke. According to research published 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%!
Brain power and Stress - "going bananas" was a term coined for the fruit's effect on the brain, that is for making you alert. This is the result of its potassium content. 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. Eating high potassium bananas helps restore the balance.
Constipation - its high fiber content promotes normal bowel movement.
Heartburn - if you're suffering from heartburn, try eating bananas. Its natural antacid effect will give you soothing relief.
Ulcers - bananas neutralize over acidity and reduce irritation by coating the stomach's lining.
Smoking withdrawal - 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.
Wart removal - 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!
Mosquito bites - rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin will help manage the swelling and irritation.
And don't forget the biggest benefit we can get from bananas - its potent anti-cancer quality as discussed in my previous post : Are you eating the right bananas?
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