Bananas…Not Just for Monkeys Any More

We’ve all heard that bananas are a good source of vitamins, minerals and a great source of ‘energy’ or carbohydrates.  I really started GOING BANANAS on this topic after I received an email from a good friend of mine the other day that just blew me out of the water… how could this MAGICAL fruit be in my house and be something I RARELY eat? Often, I will bite into a banana out of pure convenience, not because it is one of the healthiest foods in the house!

According to the research and studies I have found, bananas can help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a one of the most important foods in your diet . After an entire day of research , It seems there’s almost no ailment that the banana can’t help cure . Besides being the first fruit farmed by man, these tropical fruits are available all year ’round, they are currently sold as the most popular fruit in North America and very inexpensive !

According to a 2003 research project conducted by MBIC, Bananas can cure or temper many of the ailments below. I have referenced a couple of articles also written about bananas and strokes, depression and even osteoporosis

• Anemia — Because of their high iron content, bananas have the ability to stimulate hemoglobin production in the bloodstream.

• Osteoporosis - A study at the University of California (San Francisco) discovered that the potassium found in bananas and other potassium-rich foods such as kale, cantaloupe, broccoli and cabbage appears to counteract the bad effects of high-sodium diets (most Americans suffer from a HIGH salt diet) by preventing bones from decaying at a fast rate. This test was performed in post-menopausal women and actually helped them to reverse the negative effects of sodoium on bone structure. You can find other natural solutions for osteoporosis on the web.

• Constipation/Diarrhea – Apples, Figs, Blackberries, Pears and Bananas are the TOP 5 fiber- containing fruits. If you’re blocked up, eat a banana before turning to a chemical-filled laxative. The banana’s high fiber content helps to restore normal bowel function. On the flip side, a bout of diarrhea can quickly deplete your body of important electrolytes . Bananas can replenish your lost stores of potassium (one of the most important electrolytes) which helps fluid balance .

• Depression – Like turkey, bananas contain tryptophan, a protein that converts to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is the facilitator for relaxation. This is why we all get tired after a big turkey dinner around the holidays! Low levels of serotonin are believed to cause mood disorders including depression. If you’re feeling down, try eating a banana! You can also apply this idea to battling PMS symptoms.

• Nervousness – Bananas are high in the B-complex vitamins (B-6 and B-12) both of which are known to have a calming effect on the nervous system as well as regulating blood pressure and releasing tryptophan, causing relaxation… the same idea as for depression.

• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) – The U.S. Food and Drug Association recently allowed the banana industry to make official claims that bananas help reduce the risk of high blood pressure ! A recent study, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, states that “including bananas in your everyday diet can cut the risk of death from strokes by up to 40%.”  Since the average banana contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis (the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries).

• Heartburn and Ulcers - Bananas are a natural antacid. “In most cases, they will give heartburn relief in minutes” says Dr. P Bradley Carey. For a natural antacid, try eating a banana in stead of an antacid tablet, you may be quite surprised. For some, this may sound ludicrous; carrying around a banana!? If it is too inconvenient to carry a banana with you, try carrying banana powder. This dried, ground form of bananas can be found in health food stores. Another alternative would be dried banana slices. Bananas work their protective magic in two ways: First, substances in bananas help activate the cells that compose the stomach lining, so they produce a thicker protective mucus barrier against stomach acids. Second, other compounds in bananas called protease inhibitors help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of stomach ulcers. Ripe Bananas contain probiotics which assist the digestive system in the digestion and absorption process. No need to spend lots of money on pre-made, sugar-filled drinks at the grocery store!

• Beauty – The Body Shop has recorded using approximately 250,000 bananas each year in the manufacture of its beauty products. In most countries, there is some form of a home spun beauty treatment. For instance, in Central America, mashed bananas are used to relieve dry skin.

The following may be ‘wives tales’ but have been noted time and time again for being effective treatments for the following:

• Hangover cure when blended with milk and honey
• Morning sickness (by balancing blood sugar levels)
• Mosquito bites and warts (apply the inside of peel to skin)

A few FUN FACTS I learned while researching bananas:

• Peel a banana from the bottom and you won’t have to pick the little “stringy things” off of it, that’s how the primates do it!
• Bananas can be peeled, wrapped in plastic and frozen whole or pureed for up to 2 months!
• When you get home from the store, take the bananas off of the stem; bunched bananas ripen faster

Be sure to look for more tips on local weight loss blogs and weight loss podcasts found throughout the web.

“After the first day I took zeolite I was already feeling better”

I have noticed a drastic change in my heartburn. After the first day I took zeolite I was already feeling better. Right then and there I was won over. Before, I would get acid reflux and pain from many foods, not just the foods that I’m not supposed to eat. Sometimes things like tomato sauce or pizza would give me heartburn as it was going down. Non-acidic foods like bananas or vegetables would come up as acid after I ate them. After taking 3 drops of the zeolite 3 times a day, NO FOODS GAVE ME HEARTBURN unless I laid down right after eating them. Last night I ate 2 Taco Bell burritos and laid down right afterwards, and experienced heartburn. I took zeolite and it decreased the pain and burning feeling slowly. I woke up feeling fine. Normally I would wake up feeling nauseous if I ate too soon before going to bed.I can feel zeolite de-acidifying my stomach. I believe long term use of this product, combined with a healthy diet, will heal my esophagus and keep me disease free.

Bodhi ,  HI