The Worthy Banana

Published

A good friend and mine, who is an acupuncturist, sent the info on the article. It is worthy of discussion and review here (and besides we need more discussion on this forum! ;))

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/10/18/the_amazing_banana.htm

THE AMAZING BANANA

(Here is the original)

Doctors - Home Remedy: If you want a quick fix for flagging energy levels there's no better snack than a banana. Containing 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 the 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 potassium packed 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 milk shake, 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.

Heart burn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body so if you suffer from heart burn, 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 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 in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. 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: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other 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.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Smoking: 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.

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, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high potassium banana snack.

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 by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that, 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!

So you see a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

Maybe its time to change that well known phrase so that we say, "A Banana a day keeps the doctor away."

Comment by JCT: If Marijuana and Apricot seeds are any precursor, they should be making bananas illegal real soon. Since they tout pharmaceutical benefits, they'll have to be tested as a drug before bananas can be used by the general population.

Banning Marijuana, Apricot pits, Bananas???

Added comment by I.H.: Commercial bananas are heavily loaded with insecticides and chemicals. I have noticed a mega difference in my body's reaction to organic vs regular commercially grown and treated bananas. I no longer eat the chemically grown and treated bananas that one buys in the regular food-market. With bananas, organic is definitely best. i.h.

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Specializes in Trauma, MICU.

Man, I need to go buy a couple bunches of bananas!!!!!:chuckle

Seriously when I go to the store on Friday, I'm going to get some and eat them regularly and see how it works!!!!

Thanks for the info!!!!!:)

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I am going this afternoon! :chuckle

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

One possible glitch, Nightingale, but I have not been able to verify the risk. On our patient admission forms there is a section regarding possible latex allergy; we ask if they are allergic to bananas. Anyone out there know of a problem re: sensitivity in those with latex allergy?

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I've been looking for a way to enhance my energy. Never realized it was sitting in my kitchen all along. The thing is, I'm not crazy about bananas.

Banana milkshakes now . . . :chuckle

steph

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i like to cut up banannas and freeze them. i like to eat one frozen in the morning. i notice that i feel full and good afterwards. i live in the desert and one day i did not eat breakfast and had s/s of heat exhaustion, that really worried me. now everymorning i eat a bananna with some gatorade to prevent this problem. it is also great for people who are dieting. this message of yours has made me want to go out and buy some more.:) :) :)

a good friend and mine, who is an acupuncturist, sent the info on the article. it is worthy of discussion and review here (and besides we need more discussion on this forum! ;))

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/10/18/the_amazing_banana.htm

the amazing banana

(here is the original)

doctors - home remedy: if you want a quick fix for flagging energy levels there's no better snack than a banana. containing 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 the 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 potassium packed 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 milk shake, 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.

heart burn: bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body so if you suffer from heart burn, 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 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 in austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. 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: the banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. it is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over chronicler cases. it also neutralizes over acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

temperature control: many other 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.

seasonal affective disorder (sad): bananas can help sad sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

smoking: 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.

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, thereby reducing our potassium levels. these can be re-balanced with the help of a high potassium banana snack.

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 by strokes by as much as 40%!

warts: those keen on natural alternatives swear that, 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!

so you see a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. when you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin a and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. it is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

maybe its time to change that well known phrase so that we say, "a banana a day keeps the doctor away."

comment by jct: if marijuana and apricot seeds are any precursor, they should be making bananas illegal real soon. since they tout pharmaceutical benefits, they'll have to be tested as a drug before bananas can be used by the general population.

banning marijuana, apricot pits, bananas???

added comment by i.h.: commercial bananas are heavily loaded with insecticides and chemicals. i have noticed a mega difference in my body's reaction to organic vs regular commercially grown and treated bananas. i no longer eat the chemically grown and treated bananas that one buys in the regular food-market. with bananas, organic is definitely best. i.h.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

I eat a small one almost everyday, mostly for the potassium.

Wouldn't do two -- way-high glycemic index.

Not sure I agree with all statements on the list posted . Someone may wanna verify / confirm several of the claims.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

I eat a small one almost everyday, mostly for the potassium.

Wouldn't do two -- way-high glycemic index.

Not sure I agree with all statements on the list posted . Someone may wanna verify / confirm several of the claims.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
One possible glitch, Nightingale, but I have not been able to verify the risk. On our patient admission forms there is a section regarding possible latex allergy; we ask if they are allergic to bananas. Anyone out there know of a problem re: sensitivity in those with latex allergy?

Would love to know the answer to this one. I am extremely allergic to bananas. even a bite puts me out of commission for days. Nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating-bad GI reaction, nothing helps.

Used to have a latex allergy- back with the powdered gloves, hands always red, cracking.

I haven't had a problem with my hands for years. (Maybe it was the powder?)

Does anyone else have allergy to bananas? It is the only food I am allergic to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
One possible glitch, Nightingale, but I have not been able to verify the risk. On our patient admission forms there is a section regarding possible latex allergy; we ask if they are allergic to bananas. Anyone out there know of a problem re: sensitivity in those with latex allergy?

Would love to know the answer to this one. I am extremely allergic to bananas. even a bite puts me out of commission for days. Nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating-bad GI reaction, nothing helps.

Used to have a latex allergy- back with the powdered gloves, hands always red, cracking.

I haven't had a problem with my hands for years. (Maybe it was the powder?)

Does anyone else have allergy to bananas? It is the only food I am allergic to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

re - Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that, 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!

I tried this many years ago, and it worked.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
A good friend and mine, who is an acupuncturist, sent the info on the article. It is worthy of discussion and review here (and besides we need more discussion on this forum! ;))

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/10/18/the_amazing_banana.htm

THE AMAZING BANANA.........................

..........Added comment by I.H.: Commercial bananas are heavily loaded with insecticides and chemicals. I have noticed a mega difference in my body's reaction to organic vs regular commercially grown and treated bananas. I no longer eat the chemically grown and treated bananas that one buys in the regular food-market. With bananas, organic is definitely best. i.h.

Brilliant article thanks for including it.

Where I am living in Queensland Australia, we have stacks of bananas!

They grow in our yard where we have the small variety grown absolutely natural. These ones are the 'Lady Finger' bananas they are the most tasty and the most nutricious. The 'Cavendish' is another variety of banana grown locally in peoples gardens as well as commercially.

At our local hospital on the medical ward last year we had a male patient with a huge full thickness ulcer on his leg that the MO treated firstly with maggots (live) and then honey and banana skin (flesh side in)! The wound was greatly reduced and the patient went home not long after with not much more than a scar. That was my first experience of Queensland Medicine, and that was 20 years ago! I have not worked there for a few years but I am informed the same methods are still used, and in several other hospitals as well.

A hygenic and well wrapped nourishing meal or snack - from a 'new chum' "Banana-Bender"!

Mr.C.

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