The Banana Secrets

The banana is an important source for energy, health and nutrition. New research shows that the banana also can prevent and help cure some of the medical conditions we deal with.

One large banana, about 9 inches in length, packs 602 mg of potassium and has only 140 calories. That same banana also has 2 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.

The banana provides energy that can help us keep fit. Bananas can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions. Don't overlook bananas in your diet.

Energy
Because it contains three natural sugars, sucrose, fructose and glucose, combined with fibre, a banana gives us an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has shown 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.

Depression
According to a recent survey of people suffering from depression undertaken by MIND, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS (Premenstrual syndrome)
The vitamin B6 bananas contain regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Forget the pills -- eat a banana.

Anemia
Because bananas are high in iron, they can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and help prevent anemia.

Blood Pressure
The banana has the ability to ward off high blood pressure and stroke. This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it useful in lowering blood pressure.

Brain Power
Researchers working with 200 students at a Middlesex school showed that students did better on their exams by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch to boost their brain power. The potassium-packed banana can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation
Because they are high in fiber, bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action without the use of laxatives.

Hangovers
A quick cure for a hangover is 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.

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

Overweight and stress
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 cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers
Bananas neutralize over-acidity and reduce irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control
Some 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.

Smoking
If you are trying to give up smoking, the vitamins B6 and B12 in bananas, as well as the potassium and magnesium, 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, and our potassium levels fall. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes
Research published in "The New England Journal of Medicine," concluded that eating bananas as part of a regular diet reduced the risk of death by strokes as much as 40%.