Bananas: Nature's Remedy

Have you ever thought of bananas as a natural remedy? New research shows that bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, which is known to help you to relax, improve your mood and cause you to feel happier.
 
Bananas contain three natural sugars: sucrose, fructose and glucose. Combined with fiber, bananas provide an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research shows that eating two bananas provides enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.
 
In addition to being a natural energy source, bananas help us overcome or prevent various illnesses and conditions, including depression, PMS, anemia, blood pressure, constipation, hangovers, heartburn, morning sickness, mosquito bites, nervousness, obesity, ulcers, Seasonal Affective Disorder, cigarette addiction, stress, and strokes.
 
Depression. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Mental Health, people suffering from depression felt 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.
 
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Forget the pills; eat a banana instead. It contains vitamin B-6 to regulate blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
 
Anemia. High in iron, bananas stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood. This makes bananas an incredible natural remedy for anyone with anemia.
 
Blood Pressure. Bananas are extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making them a perfect way to beat high or low blood pressure. Surprisingly, the US Food and Drug Administration recently allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
 
Brain Power. School officials in Twickenham, Great Britain gave bananas to their 200 students at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research shows that the potassium-packed fruit enhances learning by making students more alert.
 
Constipation: Bananas are high in fiber, and can help restore normal bowel action, without resorting to laxatives.
 
Hangovers. One of the quickest ways of recovering from a hangover is to drink Banana-Apple Smoothie, sweetened with honey. Add a few ice cubes, and you're in for a real treat. The banana calms the stomach and the honey builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the freshly extracted apple juice soothes and re-hydrates your system.
 
Heartburn. Bananas create a natural antacid effect in the body. If you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
 
Morning Sickness. Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
 
Mosquito bites. Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin.Many people find it amazingly useful for reducing swelling and irritation.
 
Nervousness and anxiety. Bananas are high in Vitamin-B, which help calm the nervous system.
 
Overeating. A study conducted by the Institute of Psychology in Austria examined the eating habits of 5,000 hospital patients. They found that stress causes many people to binge on chocolate, potato chips and other junk food. Obese patients are more likely to be in high-pressure jobs and eat to comfort themselves. The report suggested that snacking on bananas (and other high carbohydrate foods) every two hours would help people stabilize their blood sugar levels and enable them to avoid panic-induced food cravings.
 
Ulcers. The condition of people with severe intestinal disorders tends to improve when they eat bananas. This is because of the banana's soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
 
Temperature control. Bananas is a "cooling" fruit that lowers 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.
 
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD.) Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
 
Smoking & Cigarette Addiction. Anyone who is trying to give up smoking will benefit from eating bananas. They naturally contain B-6, B12, potassium, and magnesium-- all of which help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
 
Stress. Bananas are a natural stress reducer! 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. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
 
Strokes.  According to 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%.
 
Surprisingly, bananas are a natural remedy for many ailments. When you compare bananas to apples, they have four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.
 
Bananas are also rich in potassium and are one of the best value foods around. You can get them at any grocery store for .59 cents a pound. Perhaps it's time to change the old adage about apples. It's a bannana a day that keeps the doctor away.

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