Banana

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Juicy Trivia

Bananas are the perfect snack as they genuinely satiate your appetite. They come in their own handy wrapper and they are well 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 surprisingly contain over 80% water. This simple fruit really is a power house 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.

Did you know that after grapes, banana's 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

Juice or smoothie?

Smoothie: WARNING - bananas do not juice! Bananas add thickness and fibre to smoothies and make them taste smooth, creamy and delicious. If you have a Green Star juicer or Champion or similar you can make ice cream/sorbets by simply putting them through the homogenizing setting.

TOP TIP! If you have some bananas that are looking a little brown, peal 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! Or, if you are looking for a quicker release of energy, then eat the greener banana's, if you want slower release energy then go for the ones that are browner

Juicy Benefits

An average banana contains a whopping 440 mg of potassium, this is essential for the cardiovascular system because it regulates 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. Banana's 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. 

Banana's 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 great for the immune booster. It has been reported that they can stave off symptoms of PMS and help lower cholesterol.

Banana's 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.

Vitamins, minerals and extras

  • A, C, Beta-carotene, Folate, 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/

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