The 'Happy' fruit

Bananas help people trying to give up smoking. Vitamin B6 and B12 they contain as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. I like to call banana the 'Happy fruit', since it always helps me stay in high spirits. Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts to serotonin that relaxes you and improves your mood. In fact people suffering from depression and SAD (seasonal affective disorder) are advised to have bananas regularly. Bananas contain three natural sugars � sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that eating just two bananas provides enough energy for a strenuous 90- minute workout. No wonder the banana is the most preferred fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy is not 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 addition to our daily diet. Banana is the most important source of potassium, an important mineral which has numerous health benefits. It prevents muscle cramps, helps in regulation of blood pressure, reduces stress, regulates the body's water balance and increases muscular strength. 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. Moreover having a banana reduces the chances of having a stroke substantially. If you are constipated and hence frustrated, including bananas (high in fiber) in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives. Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It neutralises over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

If you are suffering from the pre-menstrual syndrome, forget the pills � eat a banana. The Vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels which can affect your mood. One common problem we experience is that of mosquito bites and warts, taking a piece of banana skin and placing it on the affected area for a few minutes with the yellow side out, you can reduce the swelling and irritation. Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The vitamin B6 and B12 they contain as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Bananas come as a rescue for all you party hearts. Two glasses of water along with a banana before bed can help overcome a hangover. Bananas are high in B vitamin that help calm the nervous system. Potassium may counteract the increased urinary calcium loss caused by the high-salt diets, thus preventing bones from thinning out at a fast rate. 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 carbohydrates, three times the phosphorous, 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 it is time to change that well known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!" (The writer is a Mumbai based nutritionist, obesity and health consultant)