Scientific name: Musa paradisiaca

It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away! This can also be said about banana. Our topical islands are blessed with plenty of food like bananas and we should not go hungry or have undernourished children. For young children who can eat solid food bananas will keep them healthy and alert. For the athlete who had just been from a workout, banana is an after workout fruit. Bananas are also good pre-athletic event food, 2-4 hours before an event as a source of carbohydrates. The elderly with all the high blood pressure and depression, banana is a good choice. Pregnant mothers who need more iron, the sick and those recovering from illness, bananas can build you up and improve hemoglobin.

People and doctors have recommended bananas as a rich source of potassium. In 1993, US FDA allowed health claims on banana as rich source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C.

Bananas have high fiber to help normalize bowel movement; but wait not all bananas can do that… remember LATUNDAN bananas are best suited for people who are having diarrhea because of its high tannin content. So most of the banana properties mentioned here refers to ripe LAKATAN and SABA.
Due to its high potassium content, bananas have a beneficial effect on the heart and brain; our circulatory and nervous system. The US FDA has even allowed claims on bananas: That it reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. It is the potassium content of bananas that allow us to keep alert. This was proven in a study among students in the U.K.

Depression, one of the most prevalent problems in the developed countries and a condition that is more likely missed by doctors as a diagnosis can be alleviated by eating bananas. The fruit contains tryptophan, a serotonin precursor that controls our mood and brings about relaxation.

The effects of banana on the digestive system are also recognized; the fruit has a natural antacid effect in the body to beat heart burn. It can also be used to reduce the withdrawal effects of smoking cessation. So let’s give attention to a healthy diet…let’s go BANANAS on our daily fruit diet.

Source: MEDICINAL PLANTS By: Doc Emil