A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression 'going bananas' is from the effects of bananas on the brain. Read on:
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.
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.
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-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 contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking &Tobacco Use: 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!
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!'
PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS
PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !!!
Sadly here in the USA most people are only aware of one variety of banana the "Cavendish" and in most areas of the US it is the only one available. To those who have access to other varieties, do not miss trying them. Each variety has a unique flavor. I am partial towards the tiny finger bananas.
There are many varieties of bananas in Indonesia, but the only variety that exported to foreign countries is "Cavendish".
Actually, "Cavendish" is not the most popular banana variety in Indonesia. The most popular is "Ambon".
But, "Cavendish" and "Ambon" are not my favorites, my favorite is "Raja Bulu" (feather king). Unfortunately, is not easy to find "Raja Bulu" in the market.
I don't know how price of banana in Europe or America. In Indonesia the price is around US$ 0.2 - US$ 0.4 per kilo, depend on variety. But "Cavendish" has special price, US$ 0.9 per kilo.
Up here in ND the price of them is usually $.49 to $.69 pe pound that would be about $1.10 to $1.50 per kilo in the more Southern State they are as low as 10 cents per pound even lower if they have brown spots.
Sadly here in the USA most people are only aware of one variety of banana the "Cavendish" and in most areas of the US it is the only one available. To those who have access to other varieties, do not miss trying them. Each variety has a unique flavor. I am partial towards the tiny finger bananas.
The main problem in selling bananas is its maturity. Many varieties of bananas are mature too fast. Of course, a buyer will not buy banana that begin to rotten and cannot wait until Thursday for eat banana that bought on Sunday.
But I see, Cavendish is different, its 'ready to eat period' is longer. And another plus point of Cavendish is its skin, cleaner than other varieties. I think this is an answer why 80% of exported bananas is Cavendish.
Actually, Cavendish is not the most delicious banana. Few other varieties are more sweet, more delicious.
" Its sometimes better people don't get to know you..
Cuz the more they know you, the less they understand & accept you..
Alone is better, what say " - SRK
I am curious now. How many ways can bananas and plantains be prepared? (I include plantains, because most people see them as being oversized bananas) This is assuming if you have access to a wide variety. Why don't we try listing some recipes? I'll start:
1. Peel them and eat them
2. From India
PAKORA
Ingredients:
2 Ripe Bananas
1 cup Besan Flour
1 tsp Red Chilly Powder (Lal mirch)
1/2 tsp Asafoetida (Hing)
A pinch of Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
2 cup Refined Oil for deep frying
As required Salt (Namak)
A pinch of Baking Powder
How to make banana pakora:
* Slice the bananas into roundels.
* In a basin add the besan flour, turmeric powder, salt, baking powder,red chilly powder and the asafoetida.
* Mix thoroughly.
* Add a little water to make a batter which is neither too thick nor too thin.
* The batter should be of pouring consistency.
* Add the banana slices to the batter so that the banana roundels are coated by the batter.
* Heat the oil in a kadai and deep fry the bananas till they are golden brown in colour.
* Drain the bananas and remove.
* Serve hot.
If you can not find Asafoetida, you can use powdred garlic. The taste is similar.
I sometimes cook plantains like that. I prefer the plantains as they make for a crispy pakora.
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