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All external links last last verified 04/20/2007
Items on this page were researched by Bill Sanders (aka LYAO Editor or "-LE")
Each item in question is in a white box and listed first, followed by it's status, links to my sources (where I determined the fact was right, wrong, etc.), and any comments I might have on the subject in a light yellow box. ;-)
Any short notes written by me on quoted material are in square brackets ("[" and "]"]
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AKA: Never Put Your Bananas in the Refrigerator, Bananas, A Banana a Day Keeps the Doctor Away, Health Benefits of Bananas
I received this one, and was asked to check it out. Since it contained so many "facts", I considered it like a trivia list, and checked as many as I could find.
Be sure to check out my End Notes for warnings about B6, Latex/Fruit Allergies, and more links about Bananas!
A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas.
He said the expression "going bananas" is from the effects of bananas on the brain.
Status: WRONG
Source(s):
Comment(s):
In both of the above links, both of whom reference dictionaries, it has to do with the "comic connections with monkeys".
Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!
Status: WRONG
Source(s):
International Banana Association - Care & Handling
- Refrigeration slows down the ripening process. Conversely, warmer temperatures speed up the ripening of bananas.
- Bananas can be stored in the refrigerator until reaching the desired ripeness. Although the skin may turn dark, the fruit inside will be fresh and ripe
Comment(s):
I'd think they'd know!
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.
Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
Status: RIGHT
Source(s):
- Turbana -
Benefits of the Banana
See- BANANAS AND SPORTS PERFORMANCE by Douglas N. Graham, D.C.
and - BANANAS AND ENERGY By Douglas N. Graham, D.C.
- BANANAS AND SPORTS PERFORMANCE by Douglas N. Graham, D.C.
Comment(s):
HOWEVER:
- Bananas are high in sugar, so they should not be eaten if you have blood sugar problems.
- Don’t eat bananas on an empty stomach; combining them with a bit of protein will help to normalize the insulin response caused by the sugar in the banana.
(Source: Dr. Joseph Mercola - 100+ Nutrition Facts About 25 Well-Known Foods)
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.
Status: RIGHT(?)
Source(s):
Comment(s):
[no comment]
No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.
But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
Status: RIGHT
Source(s):
Comment(s):
While it doesn't say that bananas contain tryptophan:
There is an increasing body of evidence that what we eat may alter the levels of chemical substances in the brain that affect our moods.
Besides vitamins, we need amino acids, "the building blocks of protein", in our diet.
Tryptophan, one such amino acid, stimulates the production of serotonin, a neuro-transmitter which has a calming effect on the body. When people have little or no tryptophan in their system, they may become tired or irritable or blue.
About 45% of people suffering from depression are found to have a low level of serotonin in the brain. Anti-depressants, such as Prozac, work by regulating the body's serotonin levels.
A natural alternative to consuming manufactured drugs is to simply eat more of the foods that stimulate the production of serotonin, such as bananas.
(Source: Turbana - Benefits of the Banana: Bananas, the good mood food.)
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Status: WRONG
Source(s):
NIH - Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 and premenstrual syndrome
Vitamin B6 has become a popular remedy for treating the discomforts associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Unfortunately, clinical trials have failed to support any significant benefit. One recent study indicated that a sugar pill was as likely to relieve symptoms of PMS as vitamin B6. In addition, vitamin B6 toxicity has been seen in increasing numbers of women taking vitamin B6 supplements for PMS. One review indicated that neuropathy was present in 23 of 58 women taking daily vitamin B6 supplements for PMS whose blood levels of B6 were above normal. There is no convincing scientific evidence to support recommending vitamin B6 supplements for PMS.
Comment(s):
PLEASE note the highlighted red, above, and the B6 Supplement Warning in my End Notes. B6 SUPPLEMENTS are dangerous.
If you want to try a banana, it's got safe levels of B6 in it, but don't count on it working.
I don't know if it will work or not, but if it does, it could be the carbs and triptophan along with ...
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Status: RIGHT
Source(s):
- The Amazing Banana - Mr Breakfast.com
WHFoods: Bananas - Health Benefits
Cardiovascular Protection from Potassium and Fiber
Bananas are one of our best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Since the average banana contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis. The effectiveness of potassium-rich foods such as bananas in lowering blood pressure has been demonstrated by a number of studies. For example, researchers tracked over 40,000 American male health professionals over four years to determine the effects of diet on blood pressure. Men who ate diets higher in potassium-rich foods, as well as foods high in magnesium and cereal fiber, had a substantially reduced risk of stroke.
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine also confirms that eating high fiber foods, such as bananas, helps prevent heart disease. Almost 10,000 American adults participated in this study and were followed for 19 years. People eating the most fiber, 21 grams per day, had 12% less coronary heart disease (CHD) and 11% less cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to those eating the least, 5 grams daily. Those eating the most water-soluble dietary fiber fared even better with a 15% reduction in risk of CHD and a 10% risk reduction in CVD. In addition to these cardiovascular benefits, the potassium found in bananas may also help to promote bone health. Potassium may counteract the increased urinary calcium loss caused by the high-salt diets typical of most Americans, thus helping to prevent bones from thinning out at a fast rate.
- WHFoods: Potassium
Comment(s):
You should note, however:
(Source: International Banana Association - Potassium and Hypertension)
NOTE: NOT specifically the Banana, but ANY foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium.
Also:
(Source: Dr. Joseph Mercola - 100+ Nutrition Facts About 25 Well-Known Foods)
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Status: UNKNOWN
Source(s):
- Read The People's Press - Meriden, Wallingford and Central Connecticut's Newspaper: January 2007 (see Nobody Ever Got Fat from Eating a Banana, By Lisa Zola)
Comment(s):
It is very unclear whether Ms Zola (see source link) got the original article and redid it from the viewpoint of a nutritionist, or someone used part of her article to create the one I received.
However:
[Potassium] Sends oxygen to the brain to facilitate mental clarity
I could find nothing else on this fact, except for hundreds of other versions of the original item. Remember that many other fruits and vegetables are loaded with potassium, too.
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Status: RIGHT
Source(s):
- The Amazing Banana - Mr Breakfast.com
-
Improving Elimination
Bananas are a smart move if you suffer from elimination problems. A bout of diarrhea can quickly deplete your body of important electrolytes. Bananas can replenish your stores of potassium, one of the most important electrolytes, which helps regulate heart function as well as fluid balance. In addition, bananas contain pectin, a soluble fiber (called a hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract and ease constipation. Bananas also contain resistant starch, but this amount varies depending on their degree of ripeness. In their lesser ripe stages, bananas score as low as 30 on the glycemic index (below 50 would be considered low). In their riper stages, this number usually rises to a moderate level in the 60's. All of the above features help place banana in a more favorable digestive light than might otherwise be expected for a sugary fruit.
[my highlight -bs]
Comment(s):
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, bu ilds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Status: UNKNOWN
Source(s):
Comment(s):
HOWEVER ...
Numerous other conditions are said to be cured by bananas by old wives, if not yet by scientists. Consider using bananas to relieve hangovers (blend with milk and honey), heartburn, morning sickness, mosquito bites and warts (apply the inside of peel to irritated skin).
(Source: The Amazing Banana - Mr Breakfast.com)
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Status: RIGHT
Source(s):
- About.com - Banana Health Information
-
Soothing Protection from Ulcers
Bananas have long been recognized for their antacid effects that protect against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage. In one study, a simple mixture of banana and milk significantly suppressed acid secretion. In an animal study, researchers found that fresh bananas protected the animals' stomachs from wounds. Bananas work their protective magic in two ways: First, substances in bananas help activate the cells that compose the stomach lining, so they produce a thicker protective mucus barrier against stomach acids. Second, other compounds in bananas called protease inhibitors help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of stomach ulcers.
[my highlight -bs]
Comment(s):
HOWEVER ...
Numerous other conditions are said to be cured by bananas by old wives, if not yet by scientists. Consider using bananas to relieve hangovers (blend with milk and honey), heartburn, morning sickness, mosquito bites and warts (apply the inside of peel to irritated skin).
(Source: The Amazing Banana - Mr Breakfast.com)
Morning Sickness: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Status: UNKNOWN
Source(s):
The Amazing Banana - Mr Breakfast.com
Numerous other conditions are said to be cured by bananas by old wives, if not yet by scientists. Consider using bananas to relieve hangovers (blend with milk and honey), heartburn, morning sickness, mosquito bites and warts (apply the inside of peel to irritated skin).
Comment(s):
HOWEVER ... If bananas work against heartburn, boost energy, replace electrolytes (potassium), etc., they COULD help.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Status: UNKNOWN
Source(s):
The Amazing Banana - Mr Breakfast.com
Numerous other conditions are said to be cured by bananas by old wives, if not yet by scientists. Consider using bananas to relieve hangovers (blend with milk and honey), heartburn, morning sickness, mosquito bites and warts (apply the inside of peel to irritated skin).
Comment(s):
You MUST remember that sometimes those old wives were right!
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Status: UNKNOWN
Source(s):
Comment(s):
HOWEVER ...
Vitamin B6 and the nervous system
Vitamin B6 is needed for the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are required for normal nerve cell communication. Researchers have been investigating the relationship between vitamin B6 status and a wide variety of neuralgic conditions such as seizures, chronic pain, depression, headache, and Parkinson's disease
Lower levels of serotonin have been found in individuals suffering from depression and migraine headaches. So far, however, vitamin B6 supplements have not proved effective for relieving these symptoms. One study found that a sugar pill was just as likely as vitamin B6 to relieve headaches and depression associated with low dose oral contraceptives.
Alcohol abuse can result in neuropathy, abnormal nerve sensations in the arms and legs. A poor dietary intake contributes to this neuropathy and dietary supplements that include vitamin B6 may prevent or decrease its incidence.
PLEASE note the B6 Supplement Warning in my End Notes. B6 SUPPLEMENTS can be dangerous.
Remember, though... Bananas have have safe levels of Vitamin B6 in them, if you don't eat too many of them at the same time. The tryptophan and other vitamins, minerals and nutrients in a banana, I'm sure, also come into play to sooth nerves.
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Status: UNKNOWN
Source(s):
[none]
Comment(s):
This one does not claim bananas are best, however they are high-carb, and the tryptophan and other vitamins, minerals and nutrients, I'm sure, can also come into play to sooth nerves. They are also only between 100 and 120 calories, while a normal-sized (now probably "small" (not miniature) Hershey Bar is 200 calories. (Ah... memories...) They are more filling (fiber), and obviously, fruits and the sugars and carbs involved are MUCH better for you than white (table) sugar and the fats in candy-bars.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Status: RIGHT
Source(s):
-
Soothing Protection from Ulcers
Bananas have long been recognized for their antacid effects that protect against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage. In one study, a simple mixture of banana and milk significantly suppressed acid secretion. In an animal study, researchers found that fresh bananas protected the animals' stomachs from wounds. Bananas work their protective magic in two ways: First, substances in bananas help activate the cells that compose the stomach lining, so they produce a thicker protective mucus barrier against stomach acids. Second, other compounds in bananas called protease inhibitors help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of stomach ulcers.
[my highlight -bs]
Comment(s):
HOWEVER ...
Numerous other conditions are said to be cured by bananas by old wives, if not yet by scientists. Consider using bananas to relieve hangovers (blend with milk and honey), heartburn, morning sickness, mosquito bites and warts (apply the inside of peel to irritated skin).
(Source: The Amazing Banana - Mr Breakfast.com)
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Status: UNKNOWN
Source(s):
[none]
Comment(s):
This one does not claim bananas are best, however they are high-carb, and the tryptophan and other vitamins, minerals and nutrients, I'm sure, can also come into play to sooth nerves. They are also only between 100 and 120 calories, while a normal-sized (now probably "small" (not miniature) Hershey Bar is 200 calories. (Ah... memories...) They are more filling (fiber), and obviously, fruits and the sugars and carbs involved are MUCH better for you than white (table) sugar and the fats in candy-bars.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Status: UNKNOWN
Source(s):
- [none]
Comment(s):
I could find nothing on this fact, except for hundreds of other versions of the original item.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Status: RIGHT
Source(s):
Comment(s):
Tryptophan has been discussed, earlier.
Smoking & Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Status: UNKNOWN
Source(s):
[none found]
Comment(s):
I don't know whether the nutrients listed will "help the body recover", but I'm sure the tryptophan will help with the frazzled nerves.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack
Status: UNKNOWN
Source(s):
Health 24 - Stress, Stress and your diet
Eat calming foods: tryptophane, an amino acid, boosts the formation of serotonin, the “feel good”, calming brain chemical. Unrefined carbohydrates, nuts and bananas are rich in tryptophane.
Chrysalis Medical - FIND "banana")
Magnesium deficiency and stress are linked so closely that some doctors and dieticians advise people who lead hectic lives to add magnesium-rich foods like bananas to their diets. Stress hormones flood the body during times of tension, draining magnesium from cells. This results in a tired feeling, plus lower resistance to colds and viruses.
Comment(s):
Note that neither of the found items associating stress-relief with bananas mentions potassium. Even so, the description makes sense. So, I leave this UNKNOWN until further research.
Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
Status: RIGHT (for some)
Source(s):
- Earth Clinic - Cure Warts
- Raw Food Materia Medica - HealthWorld Online - Brigitte Mars - HealthWorld Online
Comment(s):
HOWEVER ...
Numerous other conditions are said to be cured by bananas by old wives, if not yet by scientists. Consider using bananas to relieve hangovers (blend with milk and honey), heartburn, morning sickness, mosquito bites and warts (apply the inside of peel to irritated skin).
(Source: The Amazing Banana - Mr Breakfast.com)
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills.
When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
Status: RIGHT
Source(s):
Welcome to the Optimum Health Report (Bananas vs. Apples)
Comment(s):
[no comment]
PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS
PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!
I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit!
Status: RIGHT
Source(s):
Comment(s):
[no comment]
End Notes
Vitamin B6 SUPPLEMENT Warning
Too much vitamin B6 can result in nerve damage to the arms and legs. This neuropathy is usually related to high intake of vitamin B6 from supplements, and is reversible when supplementation is stopped. According to the Institute of Medicine, "Several reports show sensory neuropathy at doses lower than 500 mg per day". As previously mentioned, the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine has established an upper tolerable intake level (UL) for vitamin B6 of 100 mg per day for all adults. "As intake increases above the UL, the risk of adverse effects increases."
Remember, though, bananas have safe levels of B6 (unless you eat WAY too many!).
LATEX Allergen Warning
Bananas and Latex Allergy
Like avocados and chestnuts, bananas and plantain contain substances called chitinases that are associated with the latex-fruit allergy syndrome. There is strong evidence of the cross-reaction between latex and these foods. If you have a latex allergy, you may very likely be allergic to these foods as well. Processing the fruit with ethylene gas increases these enzymes; organic produce not treated with gas will have fewer allergy-causing compounds. In addition, cooking the food may deactivate the enzymes.
(Source: WHFoods: Bananas (Safety))
For more on Latex-fruit allergy, see:
-
General information for Banana and click "View supplementary information on Banana allergy".
More Banana & Health Information
-
Health Benefits of Bananas - Nature's Perfect Food & Medicine
-
Bananas: Ever Wonder Why Monkeys have so Much Energy yet are so Relaxed?
Bananas
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