[Fwd: FW: Bananas, Of interest]

[Guest guest]

Judy Foulke, BSW QMHP

Behavioral Clinician,

HCS

www.meridiansc.org

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From: Foulke

Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006

3:51 PM

To: Jerry McGuire

Subject: Fw: Bananas, Of interest

Subject: Bananas, Of interest

After Reading

THIS, you'll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again!

Bananas, containing three natural sugars -

sucrose, fructose and glucose, combined

with fiber, give 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 b ody

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 way 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 (Middlese x) 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

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.

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.

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 chips. 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 rebalanced 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%!

So, 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 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

value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known

phrase so that we say, " A banan a a day keeps the doctor away! "

PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS