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A banana is not only the world's most popular fruit; it has carved an indelible niche for itself in popular culture. Thanks to Harry Belafonte's "Banana Boat Song", the very word conjures up exotic visions of lush swaying palms and sleepy blue lagoons. Woody Allen even named one of his movies after the humble fruit. Sure, bananas have got a bum rap too. Expressions like "banana republic" and "going bananas" give it a totally undeserved, derogatory tinge.

Bananas have been around almost since civilization began or, at least, since 5000 BC. Wild bananas are believed to have originated in the jungles of South-East Asia; and some varieties can still be found in New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Travelers subsequently brought the fruit to India; and traders transported it to the island of Madagascar, from where it was a short hop to the African mainland. In the 15th Century, Portuguese sailors traveling through Africa discovered the fruit and eventually transported it to the Caribbean where it thrives today.

Not many people may be aware that the original bananas contained seeds and were considered barely edible. The cultivated bananas we are used to day are a result of parthenocarpy where the fruit is produced without fertilization of ovules. The fruit is therefore seedless.

What many people may not realize is that bananas are not only fun to eat; they are healthy and provide very good nutritional value. Think about it. Have you ever seen a sick chimpanzee? Remember that old saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Actually, that statement is more accurate when related to bananas.

Consider these facts. A banana contains almost everything the human body needs: all eight amino acids, fiber, potassium and Vitamins A, B & C. This makes it a particularly important and cheap source of life-giving nutrition to malnourished children in poor countries. At the other end of the health scale, athletes and bicyclists also consume bananas regularly. The significant amounts of potassium and magnesium contained in bananas provide a quick energy boost.

If you suffer from high blood pressure and hypertension, like me, one of the most annoying instructions from your doctor is to lower your salt intake. If this advice is followed to the letter, it effectively puts all the good stuff like burgers, pizza and French fries out of reach. I admit that I do not take the doctor's advice seriously. However, I still do reasonably all right because I eat at least two bananas

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