Banana
Juicy Trivia
Did you know that after grapes, bananas are the second leading crop in the world? And, with the possible exception of strawberries, no other fresh fruit is higher in minerals than bananas
Bananas may also help ease symptoms of depression due to their high levels of tryptophan, an amino acid which gets converted into serotonin, a monoamine neurotransmitter associated with enhancing mood and sense of well being.
The scientific name for banana is musa sapientum, which means “fruit of the wise men.”
Jason Says...
Bananas are the perfect snack as they genuinely satiate your appetite. They come in their own handy wrapper and are known as one of the greatest sources of natural energy. I often eat a banana pre or post exercise as they are a terrific source of potassium and are surprisingly over 80% water. This simple fruit really is a powerhouse of nutrition. Just look at monkeys who are arguably the most intelligent animal on the planet, you will always see them munching on these yellow beauties.
Juice or Smoothie?
Smoothie: WARNING - bananas DO NOT juice! They add thickness and fibre to smoothies and make them thick, creamy and delicious. If you have a Green Star juicer, Champion or similar you can make ice cream/sorbets by simply putting frozen fruit through them on the homogenizing setting.
TOP TIP! If you have some bananas that are looking a little brown, peel them and pop them in the freezer. Next time you make a smoothie add the frozen banana straight into the blender or eat them as a gorgeous natural frozen snack (they taste very similar to those little mini milk lollies) and they seem to defrost very quickly in your mouth - yummy! If you are looking for a quicker release of energy, then eat the greener banana's but if you want slower release energy then go for the ones that are browner.
Juicy Benefits
An average banana contains approx 440 mg of potassium, this is essential for the cardiovascular system because it helps to regulate the hearts rhythm and levels of body fluid. Potassium is therefore key in regulating blood pressure and is proven to lower blood pressure in hyperactive patients. The reason for this is because if levels of potassium are slightly higher than sodium for example, our body will hold onto a lot less fluid. This is very beneficial for our blood pressure, because the more fluid that the body holds onto, the more blood volume increases. As blood volume increases simple physics tells us that the pressure within the vessels will also increase.
Potassium is also imperative for regulating nerve function. Bananas, like apples, contain a high level of pectin which is a soluble fibre. This unique substance can improve the intestinal muscles ability to push waste through the intestinal tract. Pectin also binds to and therefore eliminates toxins from the gut as well as helping to reduce cholesterol levels, again by binding to it and helping to remove it from the system.
Bananas contain sucrose, fructose and glucose which provide an instant energy boost as well as a sustained and controlled release of blood sugar. This amazing fruit is one of natures finest carbohydrates because not only do they provide the 'carbo' energy but they also contain lots of nutrient rich water to 'hydrate' the body.
Bananas contain a good array of amino acids which are the building bricks of protein and they are a great immune booster. It has been reported that they may help to stave off symptoms of PMS and help lower cholesterol.
Bananas are very useful for diarrhea as they not only add bulk to thicken the stool but also replace much needed potassium which can be lost during bouts of diarrhea. Conversely, they are also good for constipation and other digestive disturbances as they help to soothe the intestinal tract.
Research
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine confirms that eating high fibre foods, such as bananas, helps prevent heart disease. Almost 10,000 American adults participated in this study and were followed for 19 years. People eating the most fibre, 21 grams per day, had 12% less coronary heart disease (CHD) and 11% less cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to those eating the least, 5 grams daily. Those eating the most water-soluble dietary fibre fared even better with a 15% reduction in risk of CHD and a 10% risk reduction in CVD.
A USA study led by David C. Nieman into consuming bananas as an energy source concluded that “ingestion of bananas before and during prolonged and intensive exercise is an effective strategy, both in terms of fuel substrate utilization and cost, for supporting performance.”
A study carried out by the Department of Biochemistry, Shrimati Indira Gandhi College, Tiruchirappalli-620002, Tamilnadu, India on unripe bananas concluded that “administration of the aqueous extract of Musa sapientum tends to ameliorate ulcers. Its use in indigenous medicine should be scientifically scrutinized with further research.”
Vitamins, Minerals and Extras
Vitamins A, C, Beta-Carotene, Folate and Niacin.
Potassium, Sulphur, Silicon, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Phosphorus, Copper, Iron, Selenium, Chromium, Floride, Manganese and Zinc.
References
Pinnock, Dale, 2011, Medical Cookery, Right Way, London.
Jensen, Bernard.Dr, 2000, Juicing Therapy, Keats Publishing, Illinois.
Meyerowitz, Steve, 2000, Power Juices Super Drinks, Kensington Books, New York.
www.enwikipedia.org
www.juicebenefits.net
www.healthalternatives2000.com
www.journals.plos.org
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer
Please be aware that we are not Doctors, so it is important BEFORE making any changes that you consult with your GP or Medical Practitioner. The suggestions above are not meant as an alternative to any current medical treatment so please DO NOT stop taking any medications you are on. They are also not an endorsement of their effectiveness, nor a recommendation that they should be followed but instead, provided for informational purposes. None of the information on the Natural Juice Therapy site is intended or implied to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.