by bluephin

Created on: May 11, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Dwarf Cavendish, Williams Hybrid, Red Jamaica, Valery, Apple. Just a few amongst the varied kinds of banana. Suspected as the earth's first fruit, banana's history dates back as far as Alexander the Great's era where he is said to have discovered it in India in 327 B.C. Some people also believed that it originated from Malaysia where several varieties of banana could be found.

Banana, whose scientific name is Musa X paradisiaca L., is actually not a tree. It is in the same family as lilies, orchids and palms. Bananas are grown through a bulb and they are perennial crops. People like indulging in bananas because of its sweet taste. Bananas grow sweeter and sweeter as it ripens because its starch content turns into sugar.

It is believed that the banana got its name from the Arabic word banan' which means finger. It is aptly named as a cluster of banana is called a hand and a hand' of banana contains 10 to 20 bananas. This fruit is utilized not just for its fruit. In some South East Asian countries, banana leaves are used to wrap food because it provides a unique flavour and aroma to their dishes and it is eco-friendly.

Among the many nutritional benefits of banana, its potassium content ranks the highest. No wonder doctors strongly recommend this fruit to people with low potassium level.

DEPRESSED? Be a monkey for a day and eat a banana. According to a recent study by MIND, people who suffer from depression felt better after a banana eating session. You see, bananas contain the protein tryptophan which the body converts into serotonin. It is known to make your body relax and improves the person's mood.

PREPARING FOR A BIG EXAM? Munch on a sweet banana while you review your hearts away. Research shows that potassium-packed fruits help boost brain power by making the banana-eater more alert.

DRUNK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL AND SUFFERING FROM HANGOVER? Relax and make yourself a banana milkshake sweetened with a dash of honey. In this concoction, the banana helps calm the stomach, the honey builds up depleted blood sugar levels and the milk soothes your body. So the next you feel heady from a night out, keep in mind to whip up a morning shake.

Moreover, why not try a banana beer? This type of beer is made in Eastern Africa and is brewed from bananas.

FEELING OVERWEIGHT AND OVERWORKED? Studies conducted by the Institute of Psychology in Austria showed that people in high-stressed job tends to gorge on chocolates and chips to comfort them, thus making them obese. To overcome such food cravings, snack on high carbohydrate foods such as banana, instead, to help control the blood sugar level. Banana being a fibrous fruit also helps normalize bowel movements.

READY TO GIVE UP SMOKING? Call on Mr. Banana to help you out. High levels of Vitamin C, A1, B6, B12, potassium and magnesium in bananas helps the body recover the nicotine withdrawal effects.

A research conducted in the Laboratory of Food and Nutritional Chemistry of Kobe University in Japan was able to identify a strong water-soluble antioxidant in Musa cavendishii, the most popular commercial banana. Dopamine, a catecholamine, is said to have higher antioxidative potency than glutathione. Dopamine contained in banana is found in high levels in both pulp and peel.

Another study done by a University of Queensland researcher discovered high amounts of provitamin A carotenoids in bananas which is said to work against the onset of chronic diseases.

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