A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class aboutbananas. He said the expression 'going bananas' is from the effects of bananas on thebrain. Read on: Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!! This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again. Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucosecombined with fibre. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantialboost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for astrenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruitwith the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can alsohelp 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 peoplesuffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. Thisis because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the bodyconverts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood andgenerally make you feel happier. PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulatesblood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Anemia : High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin inthe blood and so helps in cases of anemia. Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassiumyet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, theUS Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to makeofficial claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressureand 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 a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shownthat the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils morealert. Constipation: High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restorenormal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting tolaxatives. Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a bananamilkshake, sweetened with honey.. The banana calms the stomach and, with thehelp of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milksoothes and re-hydrates your system. Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if yousuffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep bloodsugar levels up and avoid morning sickness. Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing theaffected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find itamazingly 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 inAustria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food likechocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers foundthe most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The reportconcluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control ourblood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours tokeep levels steady. Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disordersbecause of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit thatcan be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizesover-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruitthat can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectantmothers. InThailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensuretheir baby is born with a cool temperature. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers becausethey contain the natural mood Enhancer tryptophan. Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give upsmoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesiumfound in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotinewithdrawal. Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat,sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When weare stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassiumlevels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium bananasnack. 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 bystrokes by as much as 40%! Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill offa wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with theyellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgicaltape!So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare itto an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, threetimes the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the othervitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the bestvalue foods around So maybe it's time to change that well-known phrase sothat we 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 shoe...polishwith dry cloth.
