Help Banana Redeem Her Good Name

Life is full of banana skins. You slip, you carry on.

Daphne Guinness

Bananas got a bad name for clinging to belly fat and keeping us from having those perfect abs on the other hand probably taking one fruit out of your diet is probably not going to make or break you losing weight. Bananas also are not the top of the list for being a healthy medicinal food. However, they are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but we hear a lot more about fruits like kiwi, blueberries, acai, mangosteen .  A medium banana is fat-free and provides around 110 calories. A rich source of important nutrients, bananas provide around 450 mg of potassium, 3 g of dietary fiber, 1 g of protein and 15 percent of the bananas are rich in natural fiber. As most people are aware, Americans typically get too little fiber in their diets. Yet fiber is essential for proper digestive health, and adds bulk to waste for improved elimination. Bananas are packed with  potassium, an essential nutrient that helps to maintain proper fluid balance in the body. Potassium and sodium work hand in hand. Sodium helps the body to retain water, and potassium helps to eliminate excess fluid. Potassium is needed for the proper function of all living cells, and few foods have more of this nutrient than bananas.daily value of vitamin C. Of the 30 g of carbohydrates contained in a medium banana, 8 g come from starch and 19 from sugars, with the remainder coming from fiber.   Bananas

You will never consider a banana in the same way after thinking about all that this perfect natures fast food can do to prevent and maintain your health. Below are some of the ways that a banana or two a day can help you with your health:

If you think bananas are just for monkeys, think again.

1. Bananas help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin up goes your mood.
2. Eating two bananas just before a hard workout can pack on the energy and level your blood sugar.  
3. Eating bananas protect against muscle cramps at night or during your workout. 
4. Loss less calcium when urinating.
5. 
   
6. Build strong bones by supplementing with a banana.
7. Improves mood eating bananas It promotes the making of serotonin in the brain. 
8. Helps with PMS
9. Bananas reduce swelling I have had to use lots less diuretics since eating more bananas.
10. Protect against type II diabetes.
11. Protects against type 2 diabetes.
12. Aides in Weight Loss.
13. Strengthens the nervous system. 
14. Helps with the production of white blood cells.
15. Strengthen your blood and relieve anemia with the added iron from bananas.
16. Bananas lower blood pressure and protect against heart attack and strokes.
17. Eating Bananas aides digestion.
18. Rich in pectin, bananas aid digestion and gently chelate toxins and heavy metals from the body.
19. Bananas act as a probiotic helps with friendly bacteria in the bowel.
20. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.
21. Bananas work for both diarrhea and constipation.  The high fiber works at normalizing constipation and Bananas are soothing to the digestive tract and help restore lost electrolytes after diarrhea..
22. Bananas are a natural antacid, providing relief from acid reflux, heartburn and GERD.  When I was being treated for Reflux I got heartburn in the worst way from bananas. Every body is different. 
23. Bananas are the only rareduce nausea from morning sickness.w fruit that can be consumed without distress to relieve stomach ulcers by coating the lining of the stomach against corrosive acids.
24. Eating bananas will help prevent kidney cancer,
25. Protects the eyes against macular degeneration .
26. Builds strong bones by increasing calcium absorption.
27. Bananas make you smarter by increasing alertness. Eat a banana before an exam or while studying it will help you learn. 
28. Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing protection from free radicals and chronic disease.
29. Eating bananas reduces morning sickness in pregnant women.
30. Using the inside of a banana skin to stop itching on a bug bite or hives.
31. Eating a banana between meals helps to stabilize blood sugar and makes you feel less hungry.
32. Bananas are recommended as part of an anti-inflammatory diet to treat inflammatory bowel disease, according to a report in the January 2014 issue of the “Nutrition Journal.” They’re good sources of soluble fiber, which is fermented by bacteria in your large intestine. During fermentation, inflaation  fighting substances such as butyrate are produced, according to a review published in September 2014 in the “Journal of Immunology Research.” When banana fiber is fermented, it also serves as a source of fuel for bacteria, which helps them thrive.
33. Anti-Inflammatory Nutrients
    When you enjoy a banana, you gain nutrients and phytochemicals that help prevent inflammation. One medium banana has nearly the same amount of total flavonoids as a medium apple. These are antioxidants that may fight inflammation and prevent cancer, reports the Linus Pauling Institute. Consuming magnesium helps lower the risk of inflammation, according to a review in the “European Journal of Clinical Nutrition” in April 2014. One medium banana has 32 milligrams of magnesium, or 8 percent of the daily value based on a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet.the banana peel to relieve itching and irritation.
34. Eating a banana can lower the body temperature and cool you during a fever or on a hot day.
35. The natural mood-enhancer tryptophan, helps to relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). My daughter has SAD and eating more bananas helped a great deal. 
36. Quitting smoking? Bananas contain high levels of B-vitamins as well as potassium and magnesium to speed recovery from the effects of withdrawal.
37. Remove a wart by placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against the wart and taping it in place. I used duct tape which is also suppose to make warts disappear. Worked miracles got rid of warts in the most uncomfortable places.
38. Rub the inside of a banana peel on your leather shoes or purse polish with a dry rag. See your face kind of shine.

So give the banana back its good name. Eat one or more everyday. Tell the world about the healing power of bananas.

Refererences:
P. Sampath Kumar Vol. 1 No. 3 2012                                                 www.phytojournal.com                                                  Page | 57    The damages of hair that are caused to the hair by exposure to the dirt, pollution and other environmental toxins can be treated with the banana mask. Banana helps in protecting the hair from further damage. The vitamin B helps in the prevention of split ends.  The type of hair that is suitable for this treatment are dry hair, dyed hair and for hair after perm. It also serves as an excellent treatment for addressing the problem of dandruff and is helpful in retaining moisture on your scalp. However, if you are allergic to any of the ingredients used in the pack then it is best to avoid using it.  Bananas contain minerals and other nutrients that promote hair recovery and rehabilitation. Banana mask is perfectly suited for dry, dyed hair and for hair after the perm. 1.23 Traditional Uses of Banana Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven 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. But 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.  Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many 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.  PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.  Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.  Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure.  So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.  Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school 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 shown that the potassiumpacked fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.  Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.  Hangovers: 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, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.  Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so 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 succ

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