Thursday, August 16, 2007

Tip Thursday

Some facts about bananas - which are my favorite and I eat one every day.
- Bananas contain 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.
- 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.
- 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.

5 comments:

kristie said...

i love banans too! between the 2 of us we eat a minimum of 4 per day. the check out clerks at the grocery store always look at us like we are crazy (since we buy a ton every week) and i just say 'we have a monkey'.

Sandy said...

I better go get some bananas. I do like them. Even the husband will eat them!

♥Lisa and The Pug Posse ♥ said...

Good Info! Good to know. I have a bananna 1-2 times a day. I really like them in my Kashi Cereal!

Punchbugpug said...

I better run out and get some more bananas too!!!

PS - Does Banana Bread count?????

Special K ~Toni said...

I eat one every morning too! Can't stand the smell of food when I wake up- so it's perfect! Had no idea about the mosquito bites though!