Works of Heart, Inc.

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose.  These combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.  Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90 minute workout.  But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us.  Check out this list…..

Depression:  according to a 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 body converts into serotonin, know to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:  forget the pills – eat a banana.  The vitamin B6 a banana contains regulates blood gluose levels, which affect mood.

Anemia:  high in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood.

Blood Pressure:  this unique fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure.  So much so  that the US Food and Drug Administration has allowed the banana industry to make official claims about BP reduction.

Brain Power:  this potassium-packed fruit assists in making students more alert.

Constipation:  yes, I brought it up.  High in fiber, it can assist in normal functioning hopefully avoiding laxatives.

Hangover:  one of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey.  the banana calms the stomach and the honey builds up depleted blood sugar levels and the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:  they have a natural antacid effect on the body.

Morning Sickness:  snacking on bananas between meals assists blood sugar levels and can help avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito Bites:  try rubbing the bite area with  the inside of a banana skin.  Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:  because bananas are high in B vitamins, the help calm the nervous system.

Ulcers:  the banana neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation.

Smoking:  the B6, B12 bananas contain as well as potassium and magnesium help the body recover from nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:  potassium is an important mineral, which helps normalize 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 balanced with the help of a banana.

Strokes:  according to research in “The New England Journal of Medicine” eating bananas as a part of a regular diet can cut the risk of having a stroke 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 of the peel out.  Carefully tape the banana skin in place.

When you compare a banana to an apple – the banana has 4 times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, 3 times the phosphorous, 5 times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.  It is also rich in potassium and is not incredibly expensive.  Maybe we should change the saying to, “a banana a day keeps the doctor away.”

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