Banana [Scientific name: Musa paradisiaca]
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It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away! This can also be said about banana. Our topical islands are blessed with plenty of food like bananas and we should not go hungry or have undernourished children. For young children who can eat solid food bananas will keep them healthy and alert. For the athlete who had just been from a workout, banana is an after workout fruit. Bananas are also good pre-athletic event food, 2-4 hours before an event as a source of carbohydrates. The elderly with all the high blood pressure and depression, banana is a good choice. Pregnant mothers who need more iron, the sick and those recovering from illness, bananas can build you up and improve hemoglobin.
People and doctors have recommended bananas as a rich source of potassium. In 1993, US FDA allowed health claims on banana as rich source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C.
Bananas have high fiber to help normalize bowel movement; but wait not all bananas can do that… remember LATUNDAN bananas are best suited for people who are having diarrhea because of its high tannin content. So most of the banana properties mentioned here refers to ripe LAKATAN and SABA.
Due to its high potassium content, bananas have a beneficial effect on the heart and brain; our circulatory and nervous system. The US FDA has even allowed claims on bananas: That it reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. It is the potassium content of bananas that allow us to keep alert. This was proven in a study among students in the U.K.
Depression, one of the most prevalent problems in the developed countries and a condition that is more likely missed by doctors as a diagnosis can be alleviated by eating bananas. The fruit contains tryptophan, a serotonin precursor that controls our mood and brings about relaxation.
The effects of banana on the digestive system are also recognized; the fruit has a natural antacid effect in the body to beat heart burn. It can also be used to reduce the withdrawal effects of smoking cessation. So let’s give attention to a healthy diet…let’s go BANANAS on our daily fruit diet.
October 15th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Dear Sir,
i am interested to know about the antacid property of banana .
If possible tell me the name of the perticular contant responsible for that.
and method of separation of the content .
regards
Piyush
December 26th, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Bananas in the natural form are a natural mucilage. It is this texture that gives bananas the ability to “coat” the lining of the stomach, strengthening the mucus layer of the stomach, thus improving the barrier against acid digestion.
You cannot separate anything since texture is a physical attribute of the fruit.
May 8th, 2007 at 3:37 am
Hi Dr. Emil,
How many bananas are allowed for the person with GERD (gastroesphageal reflux disease) in one day? Thanks.
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From Doc Emil:
Eating bananas can reduce the esophageal and gastric irritation from the reflux but will not cure GERD, you need to have medications such as those can affect stomach emptying (e.g., Domperidone) and gastric acid regulation such as those prescribed in peptic ulcer disease. The natural way to deal with GERD is to eat small frequent meals (enough to have food in the stomach but not enough to fill you up completely) and avoid food that aggravate the pain. Refrain from drinking soft drinks and alchoholic drinks.
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May 31st, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Please send us more receipe about banana that can us prepare in our daily diet.
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:13 am
i really cant understand the difference of musa sapientum and musa pradisiaca can u help me….
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From Doc Emil: There are varieties of bananas and they vary with places of origin. The way I understand it, Musa sapientum is “cooking banana” -example is the “Saba.” Musa paradisiaca is the plantain banana -example is the “Lacatan.”
July 20th, 2008 at 4:48 am
We’re very glad to read this article regarding bananas, because we used to eat bananas everyday, but knew a little of its nutritional benefits.
So far eating bananas is good for our health to keep us relax and healthy.
God bless.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Hi Doc Emil,
Is banana peel (particularly saba) is safe to be used as alternative hamburger patty? We used to do it by boiling the peel using pressure cooker and then chop it into very little pieces, then adding some beaten egg, flour, pepper, salt.
Thanks.
G.M.
From Dr. Aligui: No, it can be corrosive if considerable in amounts. Fruit peels contain certain enzymes and tannic acid. There are other food that can be used as alternative, you should ask a nutritionist for protein substitutes that has enough texture to simulate meat, example: gluten. Maybe it would be better to explore cassava or sweet potato.
December 23rd, 2010 at 1:23 pm
If you want a quick fix for flagging energy levels, there is no better snack than a banana!!
January 13th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Dear Sir,
January 13th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Dear Sir,
Is it alright to make tea out of latundan peel? We’ve attempted to do so by toasting and grinding the peels (10 grams) then placing them inside a tea bag then soaked in a mug of 250 milliliters of hot water. Can we get any nutritional value from that tea?
Thank you, sir.