Bananas are America's #1 fruit.  Bananas are a good source of vitamin C , potassium , and dietary fiber. Bananas have no fat, cholesterol or sodium. Bananas are great for athletic and fitness activity because they replenish necessary carbohydrates, glycogen and body fluids burned during exercise. The good source of potassium found in bananas is helpful for your body to maintain the fluid balance in blood and tissue cells. Potassium is also an essential mineral for protein synthesis and the building of muscle because it stimulates nerve impulses for muscle contraction. Research suggests that a diet high in potassium may reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke. Because bananas are sodium-free and very rich in potassium, they can be eaten as part of a diet to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Bananas contain more digestible carbohydrates than any other fruit.  The advantage is that the body burns off calories from carbohydrates more quickly and easily than calories from protein or fat.

Here are some banana facts:

• The banana tree is not actually a tree; it is a large herb.
• Bananas are not grown commercially in the continental U.S.
• Bananas are grown in Latin and South America from countries like Costa Rica,  Ecuador, Columbia, Honduras, Panama and Guatemala.
• Bananas are available all year-round. They are harvested every day of the year.
• Until the early 1800's, Hawaiian women were not allowed to eat most banana varieties. The penalty for breaking the law was death.
  
  So be sure to eat a banana every day, and try to start your children at the earliest possible age to eat "A Banana a Day".
  
  The banana is probably the most popular fruit available all year round. Aside from being cheap, the nutritional value of banana makes it a very good source of energy. This is because a banana is rich in both sugar (sucrose, fructose, glucose) and fiber. Compared to an apple, a banana has four times more protein and twice as much carbohydrates. It is three times richer in phosphorus and five times richer in Vitamin A and iron. Reduced Risk of High Blood Pressure and Stroke : The high level of potassium in bananas help in regulating the heartbeat and maintain normal blood pressure. In fact, a banana contains 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, this is a perfect nutritional value ratio for the prevention of high blood pressure and stroke.
  • Constipation and Diarrhea: The high soluble fiber content of bananas called pectin help in constipation by restoring the intestine’s normal activity and bowel function. In the case of diarrhea, the body is depleted of important electrolytes (one of which is potassium). Having high level of potassium, bananas are therefore recommended.
  • Premenstrual Syndrome: Bananas are full of Vitamin B6 that regulates the blood sugar levels, and helps normalize premenstrual syndrome. Instead of taking supplemental drugs, it is healthier to just take a banana to help women in this condition.
  • Anemia: Bananas are very rich in iron. Iron stimulates the production of hemoglobin in the blood, therefore, preventing anemia. For persons with anemia, the inclusion of bananas in their diet regularly will help in normalizing the level of hemoglobin in their blood.
  • Hangover: The fastest relief for hangover is to take a banana milkshake with honey as sweetener. The banana calms the stomach, the honey restores the depleted blood sugar levels, and the milk soothes and re hydrates the system.
  • Withdrawal from Smoking: The adequacy of the nutritional value of bananas in Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, potassium and magnesium help people who are trying to stop smoking. These vitamins and nutrients help the body recover from the bad effects of nicotine withdrawal.
  There are many ways to enjoy eating bananas. Aside from eating them raw, bananas can also be a wonderful additional ingredient to a variety of salad recipes and baked goods. With all the health benefits and nutritional value of bananas, there is indeed every good reason to make eating bananas a daily habit.
  

  "Mmmmmmmmmmmm"

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