i got an email forward from sarah this week stating the benefits of bananas. this is the list of why bananas are a must in our daily diets.

• energy: bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, so a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy - just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout
• depression: amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana 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 better
• pms: the vitamin b6 bananas contain regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood
• 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 the perfect way to beat blood pressure
• brain power: research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert
• constipation: high in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives
• hangovers: one of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey since 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.
• heartburn: dananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief
• morning sickness: snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness
• 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
• nerves: bananas are high in b vitamins that help calm the nervous system
• overweight and at work: to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods like bananas every two hours to keep levels steady
• 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, and it also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach
• temperature control: many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers
• seasonal affective disorder (sad): bananas can help sad sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
• smoking: bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking because the b6 and b12, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal
• stress: potassium is a vital mineral which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance so when we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels which can rebalance with the help of a high-potassium banana snack
• strokes: eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death from strokes by as much as 40%