The Perfect Snack by Alyssa Sota

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 indicates 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 your daily diet.

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 prefect food for helping to beat blood pressure.  In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Constipation: High in fiber, including ripe bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

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.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways to cure a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of 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.

PMS: Forget the pills- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

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-chroniculcer cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking, as the high levels of vitamin C, A1, B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effect 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 rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

So you see a banana really is a natural remedy for many ailments. When you compare it to an apple, it has 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. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best and most convenient foods around. So maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase to “a banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/25-powerful-reasons-to-eat-bananas

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271157.php

http://news.health.com/2014/08/27/health-benefits-of-bananas/

https://www.positivehealthwellness.com/diet-nutrition/one-nutritional-guide-bananas/