Banana a natural remedy fruit

* Good for kidney stones
The third most popular fruit after apples and oranges is banana. The major role of banana is indigestion and constipation. It contains three natural sugars — sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. Adding banana to daily diet helps to prevent a substantial number of illnesses, says Dietician Dr. Naveen Kumar of Health and Diet Care Centre.
Banana is classified as a tropical fruit and is more in calories. It has a pigment called Anthoxanthin. It is an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy which helps in improving mood and relaxation which generally makes one feel happier.
Helathy fruit
Banana is a healthy fruit which is rich in potassium, 11 other minerals and 6 vitamins. The fruit emanates ethylene gas. It provides nutrient for a person suffering from kidney stones, especially women, as it contains more quantities of antioxidant phenolic compounds which are essential in detoxifying potential carcinogens from the kidneys.
Bananas are high in vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 which regulates blood glucose levels and nervous system. It’s also high in iron, potassium and fiber, which stimulates the production of haemoglobin, helps in cases of anemia and controls blood pleasure. It’s low in salt. It’s also a source of calcium which helps in preventing osteoporosis. Banana consumtion also improves the fatness of the muscles and reduces excess of heat.
Eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch will boost brain power and avoids morning sickness. A banana milkshake, sweetened with honey will cure hangovers. To get relief from heart burn, eat banana as it contains natural antacid and it also helps to quit smoking.
Banana is used as 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 chronic cases. It also neutralises over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
There are two main varieties of bananas: Sweet banana and the plantain. The fruit banana is eaten raw (when it turns yellow) and develops a succulent sweetness with a soft, smooth, creamy, yet firm pulp. The plantain, a cooking banana, is also referred as the meal and vegetable. Plantains have lower water content, making them drier and star-chier than fruit bananas.
Varieties of bananas found in market:
Red bananas (Kerala / Chandra baale); Fruit bananas (Paccha baale); Apple bananas (Rasa baale); Baby banana (Yelakki baale) and Baking bananas (Balekayi).
Nutritive value
Moisture (g) – 70.1
Energy (kcal) – 116
Protein (g) – 1.2
Fat (g) – 0.3
Calcium (mg) – 17
Iron (mg) – 0.4
Carotene (mg) – 78
Ascorbic (mg) – 70
Carbohydrate (g) – 27.2
Key facts
• As sugar and calorie content are more in banana it should be avoided by the diabetic and obese persons.
• When a person consumes one big banana he gets 1:3 calories. The calories of one banana is 114 calories. If a person consumes more than 2 bananas daily, it leads to obesity.
• It causes mouth irritation.
• Excess of banana is not good.
• Banana decreases hunger in children and also it is the cause of common cold in them.
• Avoid eating banana instead of food.
• Don’t store banana in a refrigerator: Banana peels can turn brown or black when refrigerated. The cells on the peels of tropical fruits like bananas get damaged when stored under cold temperature. This releases some phenolic compounds that get oxidised by enzymes like polyphenol oxidase leading to the darkening of the peel.
However, the quality of the edible part of the banana fruit is not affected by the refrigeration.
How much banana one can consume
• Mid-over weight: 50 calories, small bananas once in 2 days.
• Lean (Under-weight): One banana per day.
• Over weight: avoid banana
For children:
• 1-5 years: half banana per day.
• 5-15 year baby one banana daily (Prefer baby banana).
Medicinal Plant
All parts of the banana plant have medicinal applications: The flowers help in bronchitis, dysentery and ulcers; Cooked flowers are given to diabetics; The astringent plant sap in cases of hysteria, epilepsy, leprosy, fevers, hemorrhages, acute dysentery and diarrhea, and it is applied on hemorrhoids, insect and other stings and bites; Young leaves are placed as poultices on burns and other skin afflictions; The astringent ashes of the unripe peel and of the leaves are taken in dysentery and diarrhea and used for treating malignant ulcers; The roots are administered in digestive disorders, dysentery and other ailments; Banana seed mucilage is given in cases of diarrhea in India.
[April 29, 2009]