by R. M. Ziegler

Created on: May 13, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

In 1876 Americans had their first taste of a yellow exotic fruit called the banana. At a celebration commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, bananas were sold, for ten cents a piece. Now the ubiquitous fruit can be found in almost any kitchen or lunch bag.

The banana originated in Malaysia around 4,000 years ago. Arabians brought the fruit to Africa in 650 CE. Alexander the Great credited himself with introducing the banana to the Western world. Portuguese explorers brought them to the Americas in the fourteenth century, where the majority of bananas are grown today.

Bananas fall into two categories: the sweet banana and the plantain variety. While all bananas share the same elliptical shape with a creamy white edible flesh, the skin can be a variety of colors. In addition to the familiar yellow, skin can also be pink, red, purple and black. Alexander the Great described the bananas growing on trees, but they actually grow on a plant classified as an herb belonging to the lily and orchid family. Between 50 to 150 clusters grow on a banana plant, with individual bunches growing in clusters known as "hands."

Bananas are packed with nutrients, most notably, potassium. A nine-inch banana contains 602 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium. Potassium is one of the most important electrolytes in the body. It is responsible for regulating heart function and maintaining fluid balance, key reasons doctors recommend eating bananas to protect against heart disease and to lower blood pressure. This was proven in a study where 4,000 males were tracked for 4 years. The men who ate a diet with potassium-rich foods had a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. A study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine stated that the inclusion of bananas in your diet can cut your stroke risk by 40 per cent.

In another study, 200 students were asked to eat a banana three times a day during a grueling week of exams. The purpose of the study was to see if eating bananas boosted brain power. It concluded that eating food high in potassium will make one more alert.

Bananas are a rich source of pectin, a soluble fiber, which normalizes bowel function by preventing constipation. It also aids in lowering cholesterol. Because pectin helps neutralize acid by coating the stomach, bananas are recommended for patients with peptic ulcers. Speaking of antacids, eat a banana if you suffer from heartburn.

Bananas also include tryptophan, a protein that your body metabolizes into serotonin which is responsible for improving mood and promoting relaxation. Regularly eating bananas is recommended for those who suffer from depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder.

While a lot of low carb diets warn you to stay away from bananas for their high carbohydrate content (36 grams in a large banana) a study by the Institute of Psychology reported that eating high carb foods keeps blood sugar levels steady. When blood sugar drops, the temptation to reach for junk food lessens. They recommend eating carbohydrate-rich foods such as bananas every two hours to keep blood sugar level. For the same reasons, it is also effective in combating morning sickness.

The combination of potassium and B vitamins such as B6 and B12 aids in relieving the symptoms of PMS and stress. If you are trying to quit smoking, the vitamin B12 in bananas helps you recover from nicotine withdrawal. Much cheaper than patches or gum.

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