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Earth Star Up FrontAprofessor at CCNY for a physiologicalpsych class told hisclass about bananas. He saidthe expression “going bananas” is fromthe effects of bananas on the brain..After reading this, you’ll never look at abanana in the same way again.Bananas contain three natural sugars—sucrose,fructose and glucose combinedwith fiber. A banana gives aninstant, sustained and substantial boostof energy.Research has proven that just twobananas provide enough energy for astrenuous ninety-minute workout. Nowonder the banana is the number onefruit with the world’s leading athletes.But energy isn’t the only way abanana can help us keep fit. It can alsohelp overcome or prevent a substantialnumber of illnesses and conditions, makingit a must to add to our daily diet.Depression: According to arecent survey undertaken byMIND amongst people sufferingfrom depression, many felt muchbetter after eating a banana. Thisis because bananas contain tryptophan,a type of protein that thebody converts into serotonin,known to make you relax,improve your mood and generallymake you feel happier.PMS: Forget the pills—eat abanana. The vitamin B6 it containsregulates blood glucose levels,which can affect your mood.Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulatethe production of hemoglobin in theblood and so helps in cases of anemia.Blood Pressure: This unique tropicalfruit is extremely high in potassium yetlow in salt, making it perfect to beat bloodpressure. So much so, the US Food andDrug Administration has just allowed thebanana industry to make official claimsfor the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk ofblood pressure and stroke.Brain Power: Two hundred students ata Twickenham (Middlesex) school inEngland were helped through theirexams this year by eating bananas atbreakfast, break, and lunch in a bid toboost their brain power. Research hasshown that the potassium-packed fruitTHINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT BANANAScan assist learning by making pupilsmore alert.Constipation: High in fiber, includingbananas in the diet can help restore normalbowel action, helping to overcome theproblem without resorting to laxatives.Hangovers: One of the quickest ways ofcuring a hangover is to make a bananamilkshake, sweetened with honey. Thebanana calms the stomach and, with thehelp of the honey, builds up depletedblood sugar levels, while the milk soothesand re-hydrates your system.Heartburn: Bananas have a naturalantacid effect in the body, so if you sufferfrom heartburn, try eating a bananafor soothing relief.Morning Sickness: Snacking onbananas between meals helps to keepblood sugar levels up and avoid morningsicknessMosquito bites: Before reaching for theinsect bite cream, try rubbing the affectedarea with the inside of a banana skin.Many people find it amazingly successfulat reducing swelling and irritation.Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitaminsthat help calm the nervous system.Overweight and at work: Studies at theInstitute of Psychology in Austria foundpressure at work leads to gorging on comfortfood like chocolate and chips.Looking at five thousand hospitalpatients, researchers found the most obesewere more likely to be in high-pressurejobs. The report concluded that, to avoidpanic-induced food cravings, we need tocontrol our blood sugar levels by snackingon high carbohydrate foods every twohours to keep levels steady.Ulcers: The banana is used as thedietary food against intestinal disordersbecause of its soft texture and smoothness.It is the only raw fruit that can beeaten without distress in over-chroniclercases. It also neutralizes over-acidityand reduces irritation by coating the liningof the stomach.Temperature control: Many other culturessee bananas as a “cooling” fruit thatcan lower both the physical and emotionaltemperature of expectant mothers. InThailand , for example, pregnant womeneat bananas to ensure their baby is bornwith a cool temperature.Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):Bananas can help SAD sufferersbecause they contain the natural moodenhancer tryptophan.Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas canalso help people trying to give up smoking.The B6, B12 they contain, as wellas the potassium and magnesium foundin them, help the body recover from theeffects of nicotine withdrawal.Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral,which helps normalize the heartbeat,sends oxygen to the brain andregulates your body’s water balance..When we are stressed, ourmetabolic rate rises, thereby reducingour potassium levels. These canbe rebalanced with the help of ahigh-potassium banana snack.Strokes: According to research inThe New England Journal ofMedicine, eating bananas as partof a regular diet can cut the risk ofdeath by strokes by as much asforty percent!Warts: Those keen on natural alternativesswear that if you want to kill off awart, take a piece of banana skin andplace it on the wart, with the yellow sideout. Carefully hold the skin in placewith a plaster or surgical tape!So, a banana really is a natural remedyfor many ills.. When you compare it toan apple, it has four times the protein,twice the carbohydrate, three times thephosphorus, five times the vitamin Aand iron, and twice the other vitaminsand minerals. It is also rich in potassiumand is one of the best value foods aroundSo maybe it’s time to change that wellknownphrase so that we say, “A bananaa day keeps the doctor away!”—KCMO Health Department8 EARTH STAR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2009 www.earthstarmag.com