Imagine, if you will, the humble banana. You think you know it, don’t you? Yellow, easily bruised, and the butt of many a pratfall joke. But this sly fruit has been hiding its brilliance under its peel, so much so that after reading this, you may never look at a banana the same way again.
Firstly, this unassuming banana isn’t just packed with flavour; it’s packed with three types of natural sugars – sucrose, fructose, and glucose – all mingling with fibre.
The result? A rapid and enduring shot of energy straight to the bloodstream. Ask any tennis pro. Studies say just two bananas can fuel a gruelling 90-minute workout. Unsurprisingly, this little fruit has become a darling of athletes worldwide. But wait – energy is just the tip of the banana iceberg.
Depression?
Bring on the banana. Bananas contain tryptophan, which the body transmutes into serotonin – the very elixir of relaxation and good cheer.
And for those grappling with PMS – ditch the pills, grab a banana! It’s loaded with vitamin B6, known to regulate blood glucose levels and, therefore, your mood.
Anemic? The iron in bananas works a treat for boosting hemoglobin, easing the fatigue that comes with iron deficiency.
And if high blood pressure is your cross to bear, then behold the banana: high in potassium, low in salt, and officially sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its potential to help reduce the risk of stroke and hypertension. Yes, bananas have entered the medical big leagues.
What about brain power? A school in Twickenham experimented on 200 students, feeding them bananas for breakfast, break, and lunch, and noticed a lift in their alertness and performance. Call it the potassium effect.
And the banana magic doesn’t stop there. Have you ever suffered from constipation? Bananas, rich in fibre, can restore regularity as gently as a morning sunrise.
Hungover? A banana milkshake, laced with honey will calm your stomach, rebalance your blood sugar, and rehydrate you faster than you can say, “I’m never drinking again.”
For heartburn, bananas serve as a natural antacid.
Pregnant and plagued by morning sickness? Snack on bananas between meals to keep blood sugar levels steady. And if you’re ever the hapless victim of a mosquito’s lunchtime indulgence, a quick rub of banana peel on the bite could well stop the itching in its tracks.
Those stricken with nerves should also find a friend in the banana. High in B vitamins, this little wonder fruit helps calm the nervous system. For those tempted by comfort food during stressful work days, snacking on bananas every couple of hours can help keep your blood sugar, and your stress levels, in check.
For those suffering from ulcers, the banana, with its soft texture and natural coating properties, soothes like a lullaby for the digestive system. And here’s an odd one for you: in some cultures, bananas are seen as “cooling” fruits, lowering body and emotional temperature. In Thailand, expectant mothers are advised to eat bananas to keep themselves and their babies cool and calm.
Just so you know the stringy bits that run the length of the banana are made from phloem tissue and should not be wasted. They deliver nutrients up and down the fruit, making up the banana’s circulatory system.
And so, we come to the final coup de grace: compare a banana to an apple, and you find it boasts four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A, and a treasure trove of potassium and other vital nutrients
So, maybe it’s time to put the apple aside and embrace a new mantra: “A banana a day keeps the doctor away.” The bendy, yellow fruit, once mocked, is now crowned as one of nature’s ultimate wellness remedies – proving, yet again, that the quiet ones often pack the most punch.
It almost goes without saying that when something good appears, the dark side move in. It’s a Yin/Yang thing. Bananas aren’t exempt! The dark side of bananas
Graeme Dinnen
ResourcesForLife.net
Bananas – phloem bundles
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