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 the perfect way 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 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: 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%! 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 carbohydrates, 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!"
I have noticed that I get angry alot faster then I did while high. I told my mom maybe I need anger management & she said I am probably just deficient in the B vitamins. Anytime you are stressed it zaps your B vitamins & if you were ever really sick during a preganancy its a sign that you need more B vitamins. This morning she sent me this cool email so I figured I pass it on.
Love to everyone,
Cole
Ok, you have officially given me permission to mix a banana in my protein shake!!!! I think it will still taste like yuk, but it is worth a try.
hi ladies and gents! thought i'd pop in and say hello.... in the midst of many personal/family issues that i can't get into now. but i wanted to let you know i miss you all, i've been reading and i'm still clean, i don't know how, but i am:)
aea soooo happy you are on the wagon, and will write more when i find a way out of my own chaos..... which should be soon... i hope soon.
yes bananas are the best! i've been on weight watchers and lost 7lbs! a few more and i got my body back! still can't think straight but we'll talk about that lata!
xo - jojo
jeez just noticed this is my 400th post.... wow!
aea soooo happy you are on the wagon, and will write more when i find a way out of my own chaos..... which should be soon... i hope soon.
yes bananas are the best! i've been on weight watchers and lost 7lbs! a few more and i got my body back! still can't think straight but we'll talk about that lata!
xo - jojo
jeez just noticed this is my 400th post.... wow!
Jo~ I knew you'd be glad to hear it! I am so proud of you for stayin strong through all your stress right now. I know its been hard but your stayin the course. GOOD FOR YOU!!!
Love you,
Cole
Love you,
Cole
Ive just eaten 2 bananas and now I really want just a little joint, I shoudnt want one I felt ok earlier, its that time of night its 10.30 the kids are in bed, I want to sit on the sofa and have one, its calling me and Im not sure if I will be able to fend it off, I had a really emotional day at at recovery and now I feel like I deserve a joint Ive got a few crumbs left in my tin, I suppose Ive got to get rid of it, Im making excuses, God Im crap arent I
Thanks for the banana info. My son is a vegetarian who doesn't like veggies. So he eats a number of bananas a day. At least i don't have to worry about his fruit intake.
Frosty fairy- you are NOT crap. We have all felt the urge to smoke just a little on many occassions whilst trying to quit. It doesn't make us crap it just makes us addicted to this drug. I have been trying to quit for about 5 years and this is the first time i have actually become successful. I felt such guilt and shame at not being able to quit in the past. I was so disciplined in others areas of my life why couldn't i have the will power to give up pot. I now know that it is more than will power that is requirred. I reached out for help and i got it. Detox followed by group and one on one councelling. I have some form of group or talk to someone almost every day. It seems pretty full on but it's working so im going to keep doing it. Goodluck.
Jo Jo- all the best to you. Keep strong.
Frosty fairy- you are NOT crap. We have all felt the urge to smoke just a little on many occassions whilst trying to quit. It doesn't make us crap it just makes us addicted to this drug. I have been trying to quit for about 5 years and this is the first time i have actually become successful. I felt such guilt and shame at not being able to quit in the past. I was so disciplined in others areas of my life why couldn't i have the will power to give up pot. I now know that it is more than will power that is requirred. I reached out for help and i got it. Detox followed by group and one on one councelling. I have some form of group or talk to someone almost every day. It seems pretty full on but it's working so im going to keep doing it. Goodluck.
Jo Jo- all the best to you. Keep strong.
i will buy banannas next time i am at the store!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ff no you are not crap, you are human. you must find something to do when the cravings hit. staying busy will help alot.
wonderwomen, jamv, and aea
you ladies are truely amazing. dealing with so much other stuff while trying to recover. i am blessed to have bubba j support. i must remember not to take that for granted.
have a good night ladies.
ff no you are not crap, you are human. you must find something to do when the cravings hit. staying busy will help alot.
wonderwomen, jamv, and aea
you ladies are truely amazing. dealing with so much other stuff while trying to recover. i am blessed to have bubba j support. i must remember not to take that for granted.
have a good night ladies.
Yes, you and Bubba are blessed to have eachother to lean on ! That is truly beautiful ! Even my gf's without addiction issues don't discuss deep stuff with their men, so maybe I'm expecting waaaaay too much after 16 years.
I was thinking earlier (One of the kickbacks from recovery....thinking, thinking, thinking LOL) that as a child I had this leadership quality, I went into the marriage and gave it up. I could stay awake all night trying to figure out why I did that, that's sooooo 1950's, giving all the power to the dude. :-)
He's out getting high right now. It's so degrading to feel this lonely. Even the people he works with get the "sober" him. With me, he does whatever the f*** he wants. It really hurts, but I'll survive....:-) It's like he has a lover named "Weedina" and I'm just sitting here taking it. Pathetic. Oh well, I'm going to do a craft tonight, a little stained glass art kit I picked up.
Thanks for your constant compassion Cajun Lady, I truly appreciate it. Oh and AEA, excuse my dirty mind, but your banana title cracked me up ! ;-)
Thanks for the info though, I do love them !
Well, he's just arrived, wanting the computer to check his stocks, no doubt....he was reading over my shoulder......I politely asked him to fix the garburator (sp?) and the top rack of the dishwasher until I'm finished here.
I so badly want to tell him that his beautiful blue eyes, when glassy and red like that....break my heart....
C ya later gators, I need to watch/go learn how to fix a garburater,,.....just in case this marriage doesn't pan out.
I was thinking earlier (One of the kickbacks from recovery....thinking, thinking, thinking LOL) that as a child I had this leadership quality, I went into the marriage and gave it up. I could stay awake all night trying to figure out why I did that, that's sooooo 1950's, giving all the power to the dude. :-)
He's out getting high right now. It's so degrading to feel this lonely. Even the people he works with get the "sober" him. With me, he does whatever the f*** he wants. It really hurts, but I'll survive....:-) It's like he has a lover named "Weedina" and I'm just sitting here taking it. Pathetic. Oh well, I'm going to do a craft tonight, a little stained glass art kit I picked up.
Thanks for your constant compassion Cajun Lady, I truly appreciate it. Oh and AEA, excuse my dirty mind, but your banana title cracked me up ! ;-)
Thanks for the info though, I do love them !
Well, he's just arrived, wanting the computer to check his stocks, no doubt....he was reading over my shoulder......I politely asked him to fix the garburator (sp?) and the top rack of the dishwasher until I'm finished here.
I so badly want to tell him that his beautiful blue eyes, when glassy and red like that....break my heart....
C ya later gators, I need to watch/go learn how to fix a garburater,,.....just in case this marriage doesn't pan out.
WW when I read your post I thought of a few things about your hubby. One, remember when our children were toddlers, they were good for everyone else, then when mommy shows up, all hell breaks loose. "the experts" say that is due to the fact they can be themselves with us and know they will be loved anyway.
You said you felt pathetic (I think) when he was smoking. I know it is hard not to take other peoples behavior personally, even when my kids were small I would think how bad of a mother I was and why cant i control my kids.
The fact is they were just being themselves and trusted in my love. Of course it is normal to feel broken hearted, but in perspective it is love that promotes the comfortableness to be themselves.
Now the difference is your husband is an adult. But an addicted mind does not always think as a rational adult. He isnt seeing how his cont. use, doesnt support you and yes that feels hurtful. He will know someday and he will feel very bad. (Is that me being an optimist?)
Ok maybe I should hush before i totally lose my personality. haha.
Just my thoughts
You said you felt pathetic (I think) when he was smoking. I know it is hard not to take other peoples behavior personally, even when my kids were small I would think how bad of a mother I was and why cant i control my kids.
The fact is they were just being themselves and trusted in my love. Of course it is normal to feel broken hearted, but in perspective it is love that promotes the comfortableness to be themselves.
Now the difference is your husband is an adult. But an addicted mind does not always think as a rational adult. He isnt seeing how his cont. use, doesnt support you and yes that feels hurtful. He will know someday and he will feel very bad. (Is that me being an optimist?)
Ok maybe I should hush before i totally lose my personality. haha.
Just my thoughts
Thank you, Jamv, the logical/intellectual part of my brain that understands the addict mind seems to get pushed to the side when I get like this. :-) I'm really tired of not being heard by my husband. Tonight I won't be here when he gets home, I'm going to my first meeting at the womans' shelter. This feels very scary to me, I've never thought of myself as being an abused woman. It's a shaming feeling, but I'm trying to push past that bs and look at it as moving forward with my life. I don't want pot controlling my life anymore. It's not the man I'm against, it's the drug. Your posts remind me of that, for that, I am grateful.
