Going bananas

Someone just sent me an email titled “After Reading THIS, you’ll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again!” It’s not from Chiquita or anything, just a regular person. It’s the most pro-bananas document I’ve ever seen. The only thing bananas don’t do, it seems, is cure cancer and end world hunger.

Here’s what the email says about the things that matter to you and me, i.e., can they make us less crazy?

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.

PMS:
The vitamin B6 a banana contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

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.

And for those of us who self-medicate:

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, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

[Photo courtesy bananaflickr.com]

liz | 2:40 PM | Uncategorized