Bananas: Nature's Miracle Food?
Popular as bananas are, is calling them nature's "miracle food" may seem a bit much. But is it? Let's consider what's packed in that 5 oz. handful...
You'll find 100 calories in that medium banana. Most of those consist of three natural sugars...sucrose, fructose and glucose. And you'll get all 8 essential amino acids - the building blocks of proteins. Add a healthy dose of vitamins like C (17% of the recommended daily requirment), B6 (22% RDC), some fiber and essential minerals like potassium, magnesium and copper and you can see one banana is loaded with good stuff. So what good is all that?
Few foods beat bananas for quick and sustainable energy. You'll find two medium bananas supply enough of both to get you through a rigorous 90-minutes of working out. Your muscles crave the potassium and magnesium supplied by this plantain variety. Plus the amino acids help in many ways like supplying the raw materials needed to build muscle. And if you're not working out right now?
Bananas can calm you in stressful times, help you sleep better and even improve your brain power.
Eating a banana can help you relax because it supplies the tryptophan your body needs to make serotonin. Serotonin pumps up your "happy meter" and helps you relax. Some say this can ward off depression. Plus the postassium and magnesium supplied by bananas are needed by your muscles to keep them from cramping up - a common problem during pregnacy. Bananas present another boon for pregnant ladies.
They can help stave off morning sickness. The B vitamins in bananas help the body maintain blood sugar levels to prevent morning sickness. Plus bananas are a natural antacid and the fiber in them also contribute to healthy digestion. So heartburn sufferers can benefit too. What else?
While too much potassium can actually increase your risk of hypertension - most Americans only get half of what they need. However you should consult a doctor before dramatically increasing any factor in your diet. For example: too much potassium could cause a lot of problems if you have kidney problems. If in doubt see a medical professional.
Bananas can even help help you prevent or get over a hangover. Too much alcohol dehydrates you and depletes your postassium levels - two major culprits of the common "morning after blues". To battle these effects - drink at least a pint (16 oz.) of water and eat a banana or two. Do this before going to bed and you may not have a hangover at all.
Even a banana's skin is applauded for helping get rid of warts. Some folks swear taping the inside of a banana skin to a wart will kill it. Others apply the inner skin to mosquito and other insect bites to reduce swelling and make it feel better. Some even say it helps soothe the rash caused by poison ivy.
Not many snacks are as portable and healthful as the common banana. Sure it's reigns as the world's most popular fruit but few take advantage of the true value bananas provide. Eating more bananas and eating them at strategic times: before exercise or an exam, before bedtime, or at stressful times, you can gain even more benefits from this tasty snack.
So are bananas nature's "miracle food"? You be the judge. While they may not cure what ails you, they can certainly contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
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