Bananas

Presented by Rhonda at TOPS ON 5270 Stratford 

Hallowe'en of 2007 



The bananas had a ribbon and a small card attached to them

and filled a basket. The basket was passed around the room

for each member to have one. We then went around and each 

member presented the fact they had on bananas. It was very

well received and we learned more than we ever did about 

bananas. It was also a healthy treat for the members.



FACTS ABOUT BANANAS

Containing 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. 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.



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 the 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 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 crisps. 

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-chronicler cases. 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. 



Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD 

sufferers because they containthe natural mood enhancer,

tryptophan.



Smoking:

Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. 

The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and 

magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the 

effects of nicotine withdrawal.



Stress:

Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the 

heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your 

body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic 

rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These 

can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana

snack.



Strokes:

According to research in "The New England Journal of 

Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can 

cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!



Warts:

Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want 

to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place 

it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold 

the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!



Rose Bushes:

Blend one skin (soft Part) with blender full of water and 

pour on base of Rose Bush. Promotes healthy roots and new 

growth.



APPLE VERSUS BANANA

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 rather then

the apple, should be the fruit that is known to keep the 

doctor away.