The banana is one of the most nutritionally dense fruit that you can eat.  Did you know that the banana has more than 17 amazing health benefits? After reading this article, you will never look at a banana in the same way again.  This I promise you.

Basic Facts About Bananas

Banana is the common name for the herbaceous plant of the botanical classification genus Musa. There are various types, colors and textures of bananas, however, the yellow-sweet variety that most of us are familiar with is the yellow Cavendish banana. The banana is grown in tropical climates like Ecuador, Colombia or the Philippines and are also grown in at least 105 other countries.

A Quick Banana Tip: Never put an unripe banana in the refrigerator!  The reason is that once you refrigerate a banana, it will never get any riper.  It will stay at whatever stage of unripe-ness that you stored it.  Green bananas will ripen naturally when kept away from direct sunlight, outside of the refrigerator and at room temperature.

The 17 Amazing Health Benefits of the Banana

1. Provides Quick Energy - Bananas have three types of natural, healthy sugars which are: fructose, glucose and sucrose.   Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute bodybuilding workout.

2. Reduces the Risk of Blood Pressure and Stroke - The banana is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt which makes it the perfect fruit to help control blood pressure.  Too much sodium, a.k.a salt, is known to raise the blood pressure.  The potassium in bananas helps to counteract and combat sodium in the body.

3. Helps to Alleviate the Symptoms of Depression - Because bananas contain tryptophan which is a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin.   Serotonin is known to make you relax and helps you to sleep better thus improving your mood and generally making you feel happier.

4. Helps to Alleviate the Symptoms of PMS (Pre and Post Menstrual Syndrome) -  The vitamin B6 that it contains regulates your blood glucose levels which can indeed affect your mood.

5. Helps to Improve Anemia - The high iron content in bananas can stimulate the production of blood hemoglobin, and so can help in cases of anemia.

6. Helps to Avoid Morning Sickness - Pregnant?  Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep your blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

7. Helps to Relieve Constipation - Bananas are high in fiber.  By including bananas in your diet, you can help to restore your normal bowel action. You can overcome this problem naturally – without resorting to harsh chemical laxatives.

8. Helps to Relieve Heartburn - Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body.  So if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing your stomach.

9. Reduces Itching of Mosquito Bites –  Try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin.  Many people have found it successful at reducing the swelling and irritation of insect bites.

10. Provides Relief from Minor Burns -  Peel a ripe yellow banana.  Now mash up the banana, and then wrap it in a cloth or paper towel around the area.  Tape it in place with some surgical tape.   Pain relief should begin in moments.

11. Helps to Alleviate the Conditions of Ulcers - The banana neutralizes over-acidity in the digestive tract and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.  It is used as a dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness.

12. Helps Alleviate Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year suddenly experience a mood swing in the winter also known as winter depression or the winter blues. Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

13. Helps People Trying to Quit Smoking and Tobacco Addiction –  Bananas can help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamin B6 and B12 as well as potassium and magnesium all of which help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

14. Helps to Alleviate the Effects of Stress -  When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises and thereby reduces our potassium levels.  Potassium is very important to the homeostasis of the body which is the overall healthy balance of the body.  Potassium is a vital mineral which helps to normalize the heartbeat, sending oxygen to the brain and regulating the body’s water balance. When these important functions are knocked out of balance by stress, they can be  placed back into balance with the help of the high-potassium snack of the banana.

15. Benefits the Kidneys and the Bones -  The high potassium content of the banana suppresses calcium excretion in the urine; this action minimizes the risk of kidney stones.  Also, the suppression of calcium excretion minimizes the loss of calcium from the body thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

16. Helps to Calm the Nerves –  Because bananas are very high in the B vitamin complex, they can help calm and soothe the nervous system.

17. Helps to Prevent Muscle Cramping During Strenuous Exercise -  The high potassium content of the banana is the mineral that promotes full contraction and extension of muscle movement.  This is why a banana before a body building workout does wonders for enhancing your routine.

So, forget about just eating an apple a day.  When compared to an apple, the banana has twice the carbohydrates,  four times the protein, five times the vitamin A, three times the phosphorus and twice the other vitamins and minerals of an apple.  Not only that, it is very rich in potassium, and hands down, it is one of the most economically-priced food values around.  The banana rocks! Now, let’s all shout together – “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

Please leave your comments.

Yours in health,

Charles Prosper

“The 12-Week Fitness Guru”