BANANA - FACTS

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!...

This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Are you still concerned with how many calories in a banana? Then keep on reading! Bananas are great if you have constipation problems, since these yellow-colored tropical fruits have a special kind of fiber that helps in restoring and maintaining of normal bowel functions. And since laxatives tend to have chemicals and other synthetic substances, bananas would be a better choice in lessening of constipation and bowel problems.

Speaking of the energy again: did you know that bananas are able to provide more energy that lasts longer in comparison to caffeine rich beverages and sugary snacks? And even more so, it will not cause you to crash, unlike the caffeine does. Bananas can even help out during every woman’s monthly period. Thanks to the vitamin B6 contained in a banana, it makes it useful in restoring of overall mood by controlling the levels of glucose in the blood.

And, instead of taking pills to reduce your menstrual pain, eat bananas instead (consider it being a tip). Bananas are also known to be effective in treating of stomach ulcers. They not only help in eliminating of bacteria responsible for ulcers, but can essentially increase the overall thickness of the protective mucous membrane located on the inner walls of your stomach.

So, how many calories in a banana? The approximate amount of calories may be high, but the banana is definitely extremely-low in fat! In a matter of fact, bananas are used by many athletes and underweight people since the calories contained in a banana come from a carbohydrate source. The 3 types of natural sugars found in a banana are good for your health, as well as the calories, since they provide the body with the energy in the most efficient way possible.

And because bananas are enriched with Iron, they are beneficial for people who suffer from deficiency of Iron, ensuring healthy levels of hemoglobin production so that the blood may clot faster in case of a cut or a serious injury. There is also a not fully proven fact that the Iron is needed for the immune system in order to resist deceases and infections.

Let’s get back to the digestive system, shall we? Bananas are very helpful in reducing of inflammation of the digestive system by leaving behind a protective coating on the inner walls, making it the best natural method of promoting and maintaining the intestinal health.

Now, how about some interesting facts about a banana? The actual word “Banana” is originated from the Arab word “Banan”, which literally means “fingers”. Since bananas grow in bunches that resemble fingers, the attentive Arabs decided to name them just that. Do you still want to know how many calories in a banana? A banana that is up to 6 inches of length would be called an extra small banana, and there are about 90 calories in these bananas.

Did you know that most bananas are actually harvested green? It is the only fruit that keeps ripening long after it’s been picked. And if you think that bananas grow on trees, you are wrong – they grow on plants! And since it is true that the bananas thrive in tropical climate, yet there are some people in Iceland (!) that successfully grow these tropical fruits by heating up the soil with natural geysers.

If you love running or hiking, note that a typical, medium-sized banana consumed with a glass of water can be very filling. The effect of only 1 banana on the level of blood sugar and protein will last for up to 2 hours – sounds like a perfect dietary snack, doesn’t it? And by the way, pregnant women love to eat bananas in order to fight their morning sickness.

Additionally, they help in regulating of pregnant woman’s body temperature, but mostly it is the other cultures that use such method, since they heavily rely on natural cures. For those people who suffer from a depression, by eating bananas they are getting a neurotransmitter that is used for regulating moods and promote relaxation.

If you follow some kind of a diet plan, and you wonder how many calories in a banana, wonder no more! Because bananas are recommended dietary supplement – they are high in vitamins B6 and B12, yet they are low in sodium, making them perfect dietary supplement. And they are also useful at getting rid of heartburn.

It has been said that the bananas are also helpful for those who are trying to give up smoking. Thanks to all the vitamins and other beneficial elements that are present in a banana (vitamins B6 and B12, potassium, magnesium and other minerals) the body is able to recover more quickly from the nicotine withdrawal, both physically and psychologically.

If you are experiencing low levels of blood sugar, then banana’s natural sugars which are known for their ability to rapidly enter the blood stream will be of utmost benefit to you. This simple fact makes the banana a preferable food of choice for diabetics. Thanks to a high count of potassium, bananas help to regulate heartbeat, normal growth, fluid balance and the muscle-building in the body.

It is also perfect for keeping the bones strong, since the regular intake of potassium reduces the loss of calcium in urine, which in its turn minimizes the risk of kidney stone appearance. Potassium is also helpful in delivering more oxygen into the brain.

A study, which involved 200 students who did not care how many calories in a banana, were asked to eat bananas 3 times a day, during their breakfast, mid-day break and lunch along with their regular meal. The results were pretty amazing: the potassium which contained in bananas increased their brainpower and made them more alert while attending their classes!

And if you like to party the hardcore style, then by eating bananas you will be able to keep you hangover down. Just throw a couple of bananas in a blender, add a little plain yogurt along with some honey for sweeter taste. The fruit will calm the stomach and the honey will help in restoring of blood sugar levels to normal.

The versatility of the banana peel

Now that we talked about many benefits of the banana fruit, it is time to discuss why you shouldn’t throw away its peel. For starters, it should be mentioned that while skin of a banana is used for great comic effects in various slapstick routines, it is also good for curing warts!

Also, according to a research provided by the journal of the American Chemical Society, banana’s mashed up peel is able to remove heavy metals found in river water. It’s been noted that the banana skin water apparatus can be used for up to 11 times without losing its cleansing capabilities.

Good thing about banana’s peel is that you don’t have to burden yourself with the question how many calories in a banana. Among the more bizarre uses for banana peel is the removal of splinters. There are enzymes that help in dislodging of the splinter and start the healing process. And even by rubbing a banana peel over any scratches or scrapes it will help to promote the healing.

You can even polish leather shoes and silver with it. For both the silver and the shoes the application is the same: just rub it on and then buff it out with a soft cloth. Did you know that you can even use it as a natural skin care product? You may (and perhaps should) use a banana crash as a face pack as a natural way of treating your skin to make it extra supple and tender.

Just by leaving a banana pulp on your skin for about 10-20 minutes a day, you will keep your skin well moisturized and be able to reduce wrinkles that become visible in later years. Banana peel is also an excellent way of keeping your home plants fresh. Just use it to wipe off that dust and dirt accumulated on your plant’s leaves to get that dull look off of them – your plants don’t care how many calories in a banana!

If you love roasting meat, then use a banana peel in order to tenderize the morsel and allow it to cook thoroughly. And next time, if you find it difficult to roast the meat, just add a ripe peeled banana to the roasting pan and you will get a juicy, well cooked meat roast.

And since the banana has loads of potassium in it, you can use its peel as a natural soil fertilizer. Just dry those the peels (it works best by doing it in the sun), then powder them (or break them down into small chunks) and you will get the best natural fertilizer which won’t harm the soil.

There is another great use for a banana peel – headaches. If you start to have a headache, just get that banana out, eat the fruit and use the peel to place it across your forehead. Just wait for it, and your headache will be gone! Another helpful ability of its peel (especially for teens) is to fight off the inflammation and irritations caused by acne and reduce its further outbreaks. Just rub the peel over your acne on your face or body every night, and just within a few days you will see significant improvements.

How many calories in a banana that can help in whitening of your teeth? Well, if you will use a medium sized banana for that purpose (if it is about 8 inches in length) than you are looking at approximately 105 of energy packing calories. If you rub the banana peel over your teeth regularly (every day) than in just a few weeks they will become noticeably brighter.

Also, if you lead an active kind of life (play sports, for example) then getting bruised would be a normal thing for you. However, by applying a banana peel onto the bruise you can speed up its recovery. And if you ever get bit by a mosquito, you may be able to reduce the itching and soothe the skin by applying the banana peel to it as well.

Even if you get a poison ivy, use the banana peel to relive the itching, and get rid of rash by applying the peel twice a day until it is gone.

If you have some rose bushes (or other plants) planted in your yard, then most likely aphids are all over them. So, here is another great application of banana peels – to deter aphids. You can bury some cut-up and dried pieces an inch or 2 deep around the base of any aphid-prone plant. Soon after that, those little buggers will pack up their things and leave. But don’t leave the peels exposed, as they tend to attract squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, gophers and other animals that will dig them up.

So, as you may see, bananas (and don’t forget the peel) are not just for monkeys anymore, they carry tons of great health benefits which are more important to know than how many calories in a banana.

Benefits obtained from eating a banana

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.

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.

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (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 hemoglobin 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 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 ( England ) 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 chips. 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 need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

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-chroniclercases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

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.

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!'

Thinking about how many calories in a banana might be pointless, because in reality, a banana is not just a tasty health fruit, but it is also a wonderful snack too. In it, there are three types of natural sugars, such as the fructose, glucose and sucrose. These natural sugars in combination with its fiber will provide you with a quick, continuous and significant energy boost. By eating just the 2 bananas, you will receive enough energy to work out or exercise for at least an hour or even more!

Eating a few bananas during a mid-day lull (when you feel extremely tired and sluggish) will help in restoring of that energy. If you compare it to an apple, then the banana blows the competition away by having 5 times the iron, 4 times the protein and vitamin A, 3 times the phosphorus, and twice the carbohydrate, vitamins and other mineral elements.

What’s the banana’s origin anyway? This tropical fruit was first domesticated in a faraway Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and a few other locations of South East Asia. As the story goes, it was in the 6^th century when bananas were first discovered. They were so good that even Alexander the Great couldn’t resist taking a whole bunch of tasty bananas with him back to the Western world.

Chinese people were growing and consuming bananas for who knows how long. But it is only in the 20^th century when bananas gained a wide popularity. And now, there are over 500 species of bananas being grown and cultivated in the tropical world. The main reason behind banana’s popularity is its health benefits which are numerous and abundant.

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