Go Bananas!
What could be better than this completely natural pharmacy! It is compact, healthy, easy to carry, and easy to use. So why not go bananas? It’s good for you.
Not only does the banana taste wonderful, it also has an abundance of sucrose, glucose, fructose and potassium. It is rich in fiber and contains 5 times the vitamin A found in apples and 4 times the pectin. The banana is able to boost energy, and is a safe preventative against many ailments. Below is a list of reasons why you should have a closer relationship with the banana.
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Mosquito Bites:
Rub the inside of the banana skin on the affected area. In most cases it will reduce swelling and irritation.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder or, SAD:
Bananas contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.
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Exercise:
Bananas give an instant, sustained boost of energy. Eat two bananas to produce enough energy for a 90 minute workout.
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Overweight:
Studies show that if you are in a high pressure job, chances are you tend to binge on comfort food caused by panic induced food cravings. Try eating a banana every two hours to control blood sugar, keep levels steady, and keep the cravings away.
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Nervousness:
Eat a banana to help calm nervousness, they are high in B vitamins.
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Ulcers:
Bananas neutralize stomach acid. They reduce irritation of the stomach by coating the stomach lining.
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Morning Sickness:
You can keep your blood sugar up to avoid morning sickness by snacking on bananas between meals.
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Hangover:
The quickest way to get rid of a hangover is to drink a banana milkshake. Peel 2 bananas and place in blender. Add honey to taste and milk to desired consistency. The milk will help re-hydrate your body while the banana and honey raise blood sugar levels and sooths the stomach.
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PMS:
The banana contains enough vitamin B6 to raise blood glucose which in turn should affect your mood.
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Anemia:
Bananas are high in iron and encourage hemoglobin production which helps in cases of anemia.
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Boosting Brain Power:
Research has shown that the potassium in bananas can help in learning and brain stressing projects by making one more alert.
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Heartburn:
The banana is a natural antacid. Simply eat a banana next time you have heartburn.
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Constipation:
Because the banana is so high in fiber it can help restore normal bowel activity.
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Stop Smoking:
If you are trying to quit smoking, the potassium, magnesium, B6 and B12 in bananas can aid in the recovery of nicotine withdrawal.
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Warts:
Some people rub the inside of the banana skin on the wart several times a day. Others say to lay a small piece of banana still inside of the skin, face down against the wart and held in place by a band aid or surgical tape. Either way, the wart will be eliminated.
This may not be a health issue, but it will make your shoes look great. Rub the inside of the skin on your shoes and buff it off with a clean, soft cloth to shine.
Liked it
Lucy Lockett | Aug 14, 2007 | Reply
Yes, you can survive in good health by eating banana’s and Garlic for many months.But that would be boring. Great article and you can just enjoy the banana’s and have a good diet too. A much better alternative!Definately a good power food.
Jesse | Aug 14, 2007 | Reply
pertaining to #8: when I have a hang over the last thing I want to do is turn on my blender… so yah….
francie | Aug 14, 2007 | Reply
Great information, I don’t really care for bananas but try to eat them occasionally. I now will try harder…
I never knew all the additional info.
thanks
Paulo | Aug 14, 2007 | Reply
Any info on how to dehydrate them? How about the many other varieties? Do they contain the same nutrients as well?
Beatrice Adams | Aug 14, 2007 | Reply
Well, this is refreshing! Never met an article on bananas before, and I love it – both the article and the banana.
Paulo’s suggestion is good, btw, because there are sooooo many banana varieties, and some of them actually CAUSE constipation – don’t ask how I know, but I know
But they’re still delicious, and with these new info, I love them even more!
Now where’s that peanut butter (for topping)…
Kathy | Aug 14, 2007 | Reply
I wish I liked the texture of bananas, but I don’t. I know I’m missing out on all these benefits.
Darlene McFarlane | Aug 14, 2007 | Reply
#4 Paulo
Slice bananas into rounds no more than 3/8 inches thick. Brush both sides with lemon juice to prevent then from turning brown. (You can also pretreat bananas with honey dip)
Place pieces in single layer on a baking sheet. Preheat oven to between 125 and 150 degrees F. and leave oven door open a crack to allow circulation. Drying process takes from 8 to 12 hours and should be turned once every 6 hours. Continue the drying process until they are dry.
You can also use a dehydrator using manufacurer’s directions.
Although all types of bananas are nutritious, they are not all the same. I am not sure which banana is the best but, I can tell you that the information I have given is for the traditional Cavendish Banana most commonly found in grocery stores.
I hope this helps.
DRYING BANANAS:
Slice bananas into rounds no more than 3/8 inches thick. Brush both sides with lemon juice to prevent then from turning brown. (You can also pretreat bananas with honey dip)
Place pieces in single layer on a baking sheet. Preheat oven to between 125 and 150 degrees F. and leave oven door open a crack to allow circulation. Drying process takes from 8 to 12 hours and should be turned once every 6 hours. Continue the drying process until they are dry.
You can also use a dehydrator using manufacurer’s directions.
Speed Limit | Aug 14, 2007 | Reply
Riddle:
Is banana a fruit?
Liane Schmidt | Aug 15, 2007 | Reply
Darlene,
…YOU ROCK!!! Another wonderful, well written, well done article!!
Best wishes!
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Anonymous | Aug 15, 2007 | Reply
Informative, well-written, easy to read, punchy with usable ideas, precise and to the point. Not “Liked it”, LOVED it!
Ruth Hendricks
a.king | Aug 15, 2007 | Reply
This is a great article! I try to eat a banana at least every day or two and now I will enjoy them even more
JJ | Aug 15, 2007 | Reply
Very informative arrticle…thanks!
C A Johnson | Aug 16, 2007 | Reply
This is another well written article. Who knew there were so many uses for bananas.
good 4 u | Aug 16, 2007 | Reply
omg bananas help with PMS
Anne L-G | Aug 17, 2007 | Reply
Very good article, informative and to the point.
Darlene McFarlane | Aug 17, 2007 | Reply
Thank you everyone for your comments. I have been off line for a couple of days and am behind getting back to everyone.
It’s nice to be back.
beauley, Lucien | Aug 17, 2007 | Reply
Superb ! Very good Darlene. A true overkill on your research and to be commended. A vast and valuable store of medicinal information, but, I must add that the banana is(at least presently) the greatest nutritional food source for your dollar. If, of course, anyone knows of another, spill the beans. Thank you.
Gail Nobles | Aug 19, 2007 | Reply
Wonderful health article.
shaun ashcroft | Aug 19, 2007 | Reply
I live in Coffs Harbour, the once banana capital of Australia, home of the Big Banana and I am going bananas over your article. I feel like swinging from a branch right now.
Thank you. Well done.
lizzie2uk | Aug 20, 2007 | Reply
Interesting article. Unfortunately I can’t eat bananas. Even the smell makes me feel yukky!
derek | Aug 27, 2007 | Reply
the new doctor of 2007
anon | Aug 27, 2007 | Reply
wow, i learned a lot…
…too bad im allergic to them.
Larry | Aug 28, 2007 | Reply
For decades I had HORRIBLE heartburn. It is under control now with medication. I love bananas, but I have to say that your recommendation of bananas for heartburn most assuredly does not work for everyone. For me, bananas were among the worst possible things I could eat, and an absolute guarantee of intense heartburn. Now I may be the exception to the rule, but there is no such thing as the perfect food for everyone.
By the way, today with the heartburn medication, I love bananas and eat lots.
Miyake418 | Aug 29, 2007 | Reply
This article was very well written and quite informative. Some things I knew regarding bananas and others I did not. I for one love bananas and thank goodness for that!
Now, any other health tips for us regarding fruit? Looking foward to it!
derek | Aug 29, 2007 | Reply
i’m hungry!! >:O
Onflame | Aug 31, 2007 | Reply
Just decided to pay a visit on the last day of the month
Diane at Foodfreebies.co.uk | Sep 3, 2007 | Reply
Bananas are yummy, and so instant and versatile. Put it on a sandwich, cook it, bake with it, or just peel and eat.
40yearOldVirgin | Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
In Tijuana, there’s the famous donkey show and the little heard of banana show. It was the greatest three day weekend I had this labor day. Unpeeled banana comes out peeled and sliced neatly into twelve equal sizes. : )
Empian | Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
They also contain the same “good” bacteria that aids digestion that is such a big selling point with yogurt but without the downside of eating dairy!
vinny | Sep 7, 2007 | Reply
you cant beat a nice banana lovely mun innit,1 a day keeps the quack away lol
Ruby Hawk | Sep 17, 2007 | Reply
Nothing better than a banana peanut butter sandwich and so many other uses for bananas.Thanks for the info.
Judy Sheldon (-Walker) | Sep 19, 2007 | Reply
How about the yummy banana split? Extremely well written article. Bananas are also good at relieving Charlie Horses. I lived on them when I was pregnant.
francie | Oct 16, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for the leg cramp info. Who would have ever guessed?! I wish I had known this many years ago. It hurts just to think!! I’m thankful for this article and glad to have revisited to learn the news of how to relieve Charlie Horses. Thank you Judy!
Rob | Oct 17, 2007 | Reply
Wait, you can treat ulcers by coating the stomach? Get a freaking clue. Go read about h. pyllori. The cat one the Nobel you know.
Rob | Oct 17, 2007 | Reply
woops: won.
... | Oct 17, 2007 | Reply
#36 Rob, where is your clue?? Injury of the gastric mucosal lining, and weakening of the mucous defenses are also responsible for gastric ulcers. Excess secretion of hydrochloric acid, genetic predisposition, and psychological stress are important contributing factors in the formation and worsening of duodenal ulcers. Some doctor you would make with a one track mind.
Sara | Apr 21, 2008 | Reply
I am 40 and I hadn’t eaten a banana for over 35 years, I hate the taste, feel and smell but due to recent articles about the health benefits I thought I’d overcome my hatred and give them a go. I’ve been suffering with strange feelings in my chest, like fluttering and discomfort recently which I believe could be indigestion (never had it before) and a feeling of something stuck in my throat – do you think it could be the banana every day cos my body’s not used to it?
Darlene McFarlane | Apr 21, 2008 | Reply
To #38
Hi Sara,
It sounds unlikely your chest fluttering and feeling a lump in your throat is caused from bananas. (but anything is possible) Have you been under any stress lately? I am not a doctor but I have occasionally experienced similar symptoms that have turned out to be stress related. If it continues I would suggest seeing your doctor to be sure it isn’t anything serious.
Good luck,
Darlene
Ics | Aug 24, 2008 | Reply
Bananas are very good for you in many diffrent ways if you look at a good way
from Ics School
Peggy Bentley | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
Do bananas cause intestinal gas?
Darlene McFarlane | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
Hi Peggy Bentley,
I believe bananas can cause gas in some people. Most people are lucky and have no problems at all. I have bowel problems and have to be careful so it depends on the individual.
Darlene
Laney | Oct 6, 2008 | Reply
I’m not crazy over bananas I don’t like the texture and the taste is too much sometimes, but i make a shake using
1 banana
4 frozen strawberries
1 apple
1 1/2 cup of milk
i just blend all of these together add no sugar (contains natural sugars)
this shake fills me up and it really engergizes =D
give it a try
Gary | Oct 12, 2008 | Reply
23 Larry,
Why take medication? Just a pinch of bicarbonate of soda will do the trick within seconds.
It neutralises the acid.
The doctors won’t tell you to take that course of action. Why? There’s no money for the pharmaceutical companies is there?
They need people to be ill, or else they’re out of the job.
Dan | Oct 18, 2008 | Reply
I’m with Larry on the heartburn thing. I get PAINFUL heartburn when I eat bananas and I know at least two other people who are the same way.
Darlene McFarlane | Oct 18, 2008 | Reply
To Larry and Dan. If you get heartburn from eating bananas it is usually because you are eating them after they have ripened. Ripened bananas are very acidic.
Dieter Hentz | Nov 8, 2008 | Reply
ripe bananas? I think they are all green painted yellow …
Gordon Bell | Jan 30, 2009 | Reply
I am very athletic and am training in Boxing and martial arts,
for several years I have had shakes in the morning with Bannana as a main ingredient.
Last year I started getting heart burn on a regular bases and during training and was perscribed medication and carried malox around with me.
After playing detective with my foods I discovered after I stoped eating Bannanas for only two days my stomach was back to normal.
I am not ellergic and have had Bannanas at all stages of ripeness and always made organic my priority.
kirby fan | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
I NEED INFO FOR SCEINCE FAIR
Carole Burke | Jun 6, 2009 | Reply
When I was young, before endocrinologists could diagnose newborns who could not live on formula or even soy milk, my mother said the food of last resort was mashed banana and the newborns survived. It used to be a lifesaver for newborns with unusual metabolic disorders.
Terry | Sep 21, 2009 | Reply
Banana’s are God’s superfood. I’ve been an advocate for daily banana consumption for years and have coached many people on weight loss based on poper fruit consumption and smart eating habits. Good article. One thing further though. This is for everyone to think about. Make sure you eat your bananas at least 40 minutes before any other food (other than more fruit) to get the full benefits from them and to not cause the “gas” or accidic feeling some people get and then “blame” on bananas after eating them. If mankind could just eat them first and wait a while, bananas could heal the world. I have literally saved someone’s life on the trail while mountain biking by shoving 2 of my own bananas down his gullet with a swig or two of water… If you ever want to see a cramping, tired and failing man jump up with a second wind… feed him a few bananas.