"And the companions of the right hand; how happy are the companions of
the right hand!
Amid thornless lote-trees, And banana-trees (with fruits), one above
another.
And extended shade, And water flowing constantly, And abundant
fruit.."
[Surah al-Waq'iah; 56: 27-32]
Listed below are some common problems and ailments which
can easily be cured from the use of Bananas:
Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose -
combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and
substantial boost of energy.
Research has proved 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 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 fibre, including 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 trypotophan, a type of protein that the body
converts into serotonin known to make you relax, improve your mood and
generally make you feel happier.
Lethargy
One of the quickest ways of curing lethargy and fatigue 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.
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.
Weight Control
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.
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.
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, trypotophan.
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, there by 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.
