Dear friends,

Recently a cyber friend sent me this message. Enjoy!

Going Bananas

Bananas... This is very interesting.
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, 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. 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 body 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 haemoglobin 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 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 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 nee d to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help pe ople 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%!

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.

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.

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, 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.

So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PASS THIS ON TO ALL OF YOUR ON-LINE FRIENDS and FAMILY

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!

Quoting from [germex]:

It is a great message: In addition to this there is another research result:

 In tropical countries, after a few days the riped banana will become too riped and it will reach black colour; in that riped banana there is a enzime or chemical  developement :which is extrated from and treated for rabbits which have cancer: and find it is a good medicine for cancer:

Replying to [germex]: Besides, Nature has wrapped this fruilt so well that one does not need water to wash before eating. Having banana in journeys or in lunch time is quite common in India.

We have been taking one or two bananas quite often since our school days during recess / lunch time, ofcourse, without knowing its all the benefits as mentioned above.

Replying to [germex]:my hometown is in China north ,it is not hot enough,so there is none of banana tree,and i have been to south several times,i haven't seen some banana tree one time,but this year i saw many mang this kind tree,it is very interesting when seeing peopls harvest the banana from tree!very attactive,just as what you siad,there are many virtues on banana,!

Reply to [germex]: Banana is my favorite. I like it very much. In my country one sayin is there, that never eat a single banana, always eat two togther..

KILOIA

Replying to [KILOIA]:

Hi Kiloia,

No temptations, please! I'm already gaining weight. Last time I checked it was close to 90 kg... Though I'm tall and exercise a lot; that helps to disguise my weight (no "love handles").

Germex

Replying to [germex]:
Hey...
Germex, i was wondering are you a banana supplier and inspire us to buy your bananas here?
Just kidding!
Banana is also my favorite fruit, a really recommended-worthy fruit!
Bill

Replying to [cnshjiqi]:

Quote: Germex, i was wondering are you a banana supplier and inspire us to buy your bananas here?

Replying to [germex]:Great facts highlighted by you about this fruit---- 'Banana'....
Without your permission..a few more facts added :
1. It increases weight... I have observed that when army recruits / applicants are called for interview and all those who are under weight eat bananas by the dozen to increase instant weight.
2. This fruits peculiarity is that it will never ripe on the tree...by the best of our gardeners, (our favourite --'Kiwi' ) utilising the best of the organic manure and the latest scientific techniques. It ripens only after being cut from the tree.
3.The Shape: This.... is know to all..... bring about the most dreadful thoughts and may be considered the most dangerous tool..of this world.

adseaco wrote:

Replying to [germex]:Great facts highlighted by you about this fruit---- 'Banana'....

Without your permission..a few more facts added :
1. It increases weight... I have observed that when army recruits / applicants are called for interview and all those who are under weight eat bananas by the dozen to increase instant weight.
2. This fruits peculiarity is that it will never ripe on the tree...by the best of our gardeners, (our favourite --'Kiwi' ) utilising the best of the organic manure and the latest scientific techniques. It ripens only after being cut from the tree.

Banana fruits do ripe at the trees. In the Philippines, there are over 100 varieties of bananas and almost all ripens at the trees. In fact, from my own experience, I find thoses bananas naturally ripened from the trees to be more aromatic and sweeter than than those taken from the trees as green. I think the reason lies in economics and that is to allow time for the banana to slowly ripen while being transported to distant markets.

In fact, all fruits are much healthier and tastier when ripened on the tree. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle demands harvesting them half-ripe and sending them to us before they spoil. Too bad! How would I love to have my own big greenhouse next to my house!