| A banana as everyone knows, is a slender thick | | | | bananas can increase the production of hemoglobin in |
| skinned edible fruit which varies in different sizes and | | | | the blood and help in cases of anemia. Due to |
| colors. The word 'banan' is Arabic for finger. They are | | | | presence of fiber, bananas also ensure that the |
| grown in Latin and South America, India, Costa Rica, | | | | bowel functioning is normal and thus helps in clearing |
| Ecuador, Colombia, Honduras, Panama and Guatemala. | | | | out constipation. |
| India is by far the largest world producer of bananas, | | | | The good source of potassium from bananas is |
| growing 16.5 million tonnes in 2002, followed by Brazil | | | | helpful for your body to maintain the fluid balance in |
| which produced 6.5 million tonnes of bananas in 2002. | | | | blood and tissue cells as well as help in improving |
| Over 96% of American households purchase bananas | | | | intellectual ability of an individual. Potassium is also an |
| at least once each month. There are more than 500 | | | | essential mineral for protein synthesis and the building |
| varieties of banana in the world. | | | | of muscle because it stimulates nerve impulses for |
| There are Bananas of different colors such as: | | | | muscle contraction. |
| Green [good for strength and impotency especially in | | | | Research suggests that a diet high in potassium may |
| males], | | | | reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke. Because |
| Yellow [edible fruit bananas], | | | | bananas are sodium-free and very rich in potassium, |
| Red [rich in carotene], | | | | they can be eaten as part of a diet to reduce the |
| Baby yellow bananas; also known as pisang susa | | | | risk of high blood pressure. Bananas have no fat, |
| [which are known for their sweetness] and are edible | | | | cholesterol or sodium. According to research in 'The |
| when they ripe completely as the starch in it is | | | | New England Journal of Medicine' eating bananas as |
| converted to sugars such as sucrose, fructose and | | | | part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by |
| glucose. Raw bananas [green and 20-30 cm long] are | | | | strokes by as much as 40%. |
| also used for cooking and are even fried. Children | | | | They also contain a rich supply of vitamin B6, |
| love to eat fried chips made out of Bananas. Banana | | | | providing 20% of the Recommended Daily Allowance |
| flowers [Known as Bond in Vasai] are also used for | | | | of B6. Vitamin B6 is significant in the synthesis of |
| cooking, especially in India. Also numerous desserts | | | | antibodies in the immune system. It also helps in |
| have been prepared using this fruit, which simply add | | | | protein metabolism, red blood cell formation and |
| to delicacies of all time. A smoothie made from | | | | functioning of the central nervous system.B vitamins |
| bananas along with curd simply tastes fabulous. | | | | help in relieving stress of the nervous system as |
| Besides that Rajles [wild form of Banana found in | | | | they send oxygen supply to the brain. |
| Vasai] is used by East Indian people as a coolant for | | | | Bananas are great for athletic and fitness activity |
| insect bites and also in sweet dishes made from | | | | because they replenish necessary carbohydrates, |
| coconut milk and jaggery. | | | | glycogen and body fluids burned during exercise and |
| Banana plant has leaves of about 4 x 1 m which are | | | | gives much strength to an individual. Bananas contain |
| used as biodegradable plates in south India, especially | | | | more digestible carbohydrates than any other fruit. |
| during wedding. | | | | The advantage is that the body burns off calories |
| What are the medicinal uses of Bananas? | | | | from carbohydrates more quickly and easily than |
| Bananas are a good source of vitamin C, potassium | | | | calories from protein or fat. |
| and dietary fiber. One banana has 76gm% of water, | | | | They are used against intestinal disorders and |
| 10mg% of the vitamin C, 0.50gm% of the potassium, | | | | because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is |
| 20gm% of sugar and 1.2gm% of protein and | | | | one of the most important fruit that can be eaten in |
| 3gm%of the dietary fiber needed each day for good | | | | over-chronic ulcer cases as it is an antacid which |
| health. The vitamin C in bananas helps your body to | | | | neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation of the |
| heal and defend against infections. Vitamin C also is | | | | stomach. They are also used in patients suffering |
| valuable in the absorption of iron, synthesis of | | | | from heart-burns. |
| connective tissue, and blood formation. High in iron, | | | | |