Going bananas over bananas

By Staff
Suzanne Langcuster
A professor at City College of New York had been teaching his students the health benefit of bananas.
Bananas can help you overcome or prevent a number of illnesses and conditions. It is a must for your daily diet.
People who suffer from depression have found that eating a banana helps them get through the tough times.
They have a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, which is known to make you relax and and make you happy.
Serotonin is believed to play an important role as a neurotransmitter, in the inhibition of anger, aggression, body temperature, mood, sleep, vomiting, sexuality and appetite.
The average American consumes over 28 pounds of bananas each year.
Bananas have three natural sugars: Sucrose, fructose, and glucose. These are combined with fiber. As bananas ripen, the starch in the fruit turns to sugar. Therefore, the riper the banana the sweeter it will taste.
A banana gives you instant energy. Two bananas give you enough energy for a nine minute workout.
Bananas have no fat, cholesterol or sodium. They are good for PMS, anemia and help regulate your blood pressure.
Two-hundred students at Tweckenham, England ate bananas before their exams. This potassium packed food can assist learning and make students more alert.
Bananas help constipation, hangovers, heartburn, morning sickness, nerves, ulcers and is used to relieve high temperatures.
And, by the way, before buying insect cream this summer, try rubbing the area with the inside of a banana skin.
Years ago when we visited Jamaica, I wondered how in the world many of the needy natives existed on an island with no way to leave. I'm sure the wonderful God-given banana kept many alive.
Bananas grow naturally on the island.
Bananas are available all year-round. They are harvested every day of the year. Try to eat at least one each day.
Suzanne Langcuster is a food columnist for the Franklin County Times.