bananas
Healthful, filling, and tasty, bananas are one of the nature’s ideal snacks. The fruit, which is grown in most of the world’s tropical areas, is harvested while still green. When stored at room temperature, most bananas ripen in a few days; the process can be hastened by placing them in a plastic or paper bag along with an apple. Read on why you should go for bananas:
1. Try bananas for baby’s first food. Because bananas are bland, easy to digest, and unlikely to produce allergies, they are an ideal early food for babies.
2. Bananas, along with rice, applesauce, and toast, are one of the foods in the diet recommended after a bout of diarrhea, called the BRAT diet.
3. Some ulcer patients report that bananas alleviate some pain, but this is unproven. While allergies to bananas are rare, they are more common in people who are allergic to rubber products.
4. Bananas are an excellent source of potassium and vitamin B6, as well as a source of folate and fiber. A study on 17,000 adults indicated that higher potassium levels are associated with lower blood pressure.
5. Bananas also contain the amino acid tryptophan, which stimulates the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect on the body. Therefore, bananas are said to alleviate depression to some extent.
6. The fiber obtained from bananas is soluble fiber, instrumental in lowering blood cholesterol levels.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t think a lot of people know the health benefits of bananas! Interesting post. I just saw that eating bananas is good if you are suffering from heat stroke – never would have guessed that.
Did you know, that there are over 100 different types of Bananes world wide? Especially wild bananas can be very interesting looking
I’m a great fan of bananas. I can’t refuse if someone offers me one even if I’m already full. One question though, is it really not advisable to eat bananas after meals? Thanks!