Spring 2013 - page 14

14
BANANAS
By eating
a banana you can
indulge your sweet tooth without
ruining your diet. Bananas are naturally
fat and cholesterol free. A banana
averages about only 110 calories – and
the benefits are amazing!
Potassium:
Bananas are known
for their high
potassium content,
with over 400 mg
of potassium in a single medium-
size banana. Potassium is necessary
for good nerve and muscle function
as well as for maintaining a healthy
balance of fluids in the body. Bananas
help the body’s circulatory system
deliver oxygen to the brain, helping
maintain regular heartbeat and proper
water balance.
Vitamin C:
Bananas contain a good
amount of vitamin C. One banana
provides about 10 mg of vitamin C,
or about 15 percent of your daily
recommended amount. Vitamin C
boosts your immune system and cell
health and improves the absorption of
other nutrients such as iron.
Vitamin B-6:
Since B vitamins
are more commonly found in animal
products, it may come as a surprise
that bananas are an excellent source
of vitamin B-6, also called pyridoxine.
One banana supplies 35 percent of
your daily B-6 requirement. Your body
uses vitamin B-6 to grow new cells.
This vitamin regulates blood glucose
levels and helps in times of stress to
suppress moody swings.
Fiber:
Bananas are high in soluble
fibre which helps stop constipation and
helps to restore and maintain regular
bowel function.
Manganese:
Bananas are a
good source of manganese, with one
medium banana providing about 0.3
mg. Adults need between 1.8 and 2.3
mg of manganese daily. Manganese
is necessary for bone health and
metabolism.
Other Nutrients:
Bananas also
deliver small amounts of other vitamins
and minerals. A banana provides
some iron, magnesium, calcium and
phosphorus as well as vitamins A
and E, folate, carotene and choline.
Bananas also contain trace amounts
of many amino acids.
Brain Power:
Potassium-packed
fruits help learning because it makes
us more alert. Students find they
have more brain power and do better
in exams when they eat bananas at
breakfast and lunch.
Increase
Happiness:
Bananas
release a mood regulated
substance called
tryptophan which is
converted to serotonin in
the brain and thus elevates our moods
and makes us happier.
psychologically.
Iron:
Bananas are rich in iron and can
Dr Hala
says....
Bananas contain high
potassium levels, they are
very low in sodium, and
have no cholesterol which
is important for the heart;
it lowers blood pressure
and reduces the risk of
a stroke. Eating bananas
prevent constipation and
intestinal ulcers. They also
act as a mood enhancer.
They are packed with
natural goodness!
help with anemia. Iron-rich food help
stimulate production of hemoglobin in
the blood.
Helps Smokers
Quit:
Bananas contain
B vitamins and other
minerals that lessen
the effects of nicotine
withdrawal both physically
and psychologically.
Start your
health regime
today!
Health Tips
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