Bananas
Musa acuminata
Colla; Musa balbisiana Colla; Musa x
paradisiaca L Family of Musaceae.
 Historically
bananas are thought to have originated in Malaysia
around 4,000 years ago. From there, they spread
throughout the Philippines and India, where in 327 B.C.
Alexander the Great's army recorded them being grown.
Bananas were later introduced to Africa by Arabian
traders and discovered there in 1482 A.D. by Portuguese
explorers who took them to the Americas, the place where
the majority of bananas are now produced. Bananas were
not brought to the United States for sale in markets
until the latter part of the 19th century and were
initially only enjoyed by people in the seacoast towns
where the banana schooners docked; because of the
fruit's fragility
Bananas are rich in vitamin B6 and they are a good
source of fiber, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium.
Lack of B6 in a diet can cause weakness, irritability
and insomnia. The potassium found in bananas helps to
regulate blood pressure and may reduce the risk of high
blood pressure and stroke. Potassium is also essential
for helping muscles to contract properly during exercise
and reduces cramping up. A medium-sized banana provides
400 mg of potassium -11% of daily value- and contains
110 calories and 4 grams of fiber. Bananas also, contain
plenty of carbohydrates which are the body's main source
of energy. They are also easy to digest.
If you want a quick fix for flagging energy levels,
there is no better snack than a banana. Containing three
natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose -
combined with fiber banana gives an instant, sustained
and substantial boost of energy. Speaking of energy, it
was 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. However, energy is not 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.
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.
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-chronic ulcer cases. It also
neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by
coating the lining of the stomach.
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.
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!
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%!
Your mother may have told you carrots would keep your
eyes bright as a child, but as an adult, it looks like
fruit is even more important for keeping your sight.
Data reported in a study published in the June 2004
issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that
eating 3 or more servings of fruit peer day may lower
your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD),
the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by
36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5
servings of fruit daily.
Bananas are a smart move if you suffer from elimination
problems. A bout of diarrhea can quickly deplete your
body of important electrolytes. Bananas can replenish
your stores of potassium, one of the most important
electrolytes, which helps regulate heart function as
well as fluid balance. In addition, bananas contain
pectin, a soluble fiber (called a hydrocolloid) that can
help normalize movement through the digestive tract and
ease constipation.
Sources:
akak.essortment.com/healthbananas
www.thefruitpages.com/bananas.shtml
www.srikumar.com/Medicine/bananas_for_good_health.htm
www.whfoods.com/genpage.
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