I Recommend Going Bananas
67
No, the title is not a figure of speech! It’s literal actually. I don’t want you to go crazy, crazy. I just recommend that you go crazy or “go bananas” with what else but...bananas!
MM del Rosario already wrote a hub about bananas (http://hubpages.com/hub/fruit-banana). I told her I’ve been planning a banana article too and requested to link with her hub.
So this hub will reiterate what she mentioned about bananas and I add my own take on bananas so we can...go bananas!
Why Go Bananas?
My answer to that is, why not? Bananas are good for your health and cheap too! Plus it’s available all year round.
Question – do you believe in the adage - “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”? You do? Well, good for you.
After reading
this hub though, you might decide to change that into – “a banana a day keeps the doctor
away”!
Really now? Really! Just read on....
Look what I got from Wikipedia about the nutritional contents of bananas and apples. I placed the data in a single table for easier comparison. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple
Wikepedia by the way did not give any number for the amount of water in bananas.
Food Component
| Banana, Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
| Apples, with skin (edible parts) Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
|
|---|---|---|
Energy
| 371 kJ (89 kcal)22.84 g
| 218 kJ (52 kcal 13.81 g
|
Carbohydrates
| Sugars 12.23 g
| Sugars 10.39 g
|
Dietary fiber
| 2.6 g
| 2.4 g
|
Fat
| 0.33g
| 0.176
|
Protein
| 1.09 g
| 0.26 g
|
Water
| 85.56 g
| |
Vitamin A
| equiv. 3 μg (0%)
| equiv. 3 μg (0%)
|
Thiamine (Vit. B1)
| 0.031 mg (2%)
| 0.017 mg (1%)
|
Riboflavin (Vit. B2)
| 0.073 mg (5%)
| 0.026 mg (2%)
|
Niacin (Vit. B3)
| 0.665 mg (4%)
| 0.091 mg (1%)
|
Pantothenic acid (B5)
| 0.334 mg (7%)
| 0.061 mg (1%)
|
Vitamin B6
| 0.367 mg (28%)
| 0.041 mg (3%)
|
Folate (Vit B9)
| 20 μg (5%)
| 3 μg (1%)
|
Vitamin C
| 8.7 mg (15%)
| 4.6 mg (8%)
|
Calcium
| 5 mg (1%)
| 6 mg (1%)
|
Iron
| 0.26 mg (2%)
| 0.12 mg (1%)
|
Magnesium
| 27 mg (7%)
| 5 mg (1%)
|
Phosphorus
| 22 mg (3%)
| 11 mg (2%)
|
Potassium
| 358 mg (8%)
| 107 mg (2%)
|
Zinc
| 0.15 mg (1%)
| 0.04 mg (0%)
|
Banana wins! Right?
Oh, reminder - don't stores bananas in the refrigerator!
More about bananas -
http://whatilikeabout-anything.blogspot.com/search/label/bananas.latundan
Now, listen to what Harry Belafonte has to say about bananas...
Bananas or Apples?
So, after looking at the table, are you convinced yet about the superior nutritional value of bananas as compared with apples?
Are you ready now to change the "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" to "a banana a day keeps the doctor away"?
If you are not yet ready to change, apparently the Japanese are. Since 2008, they have made all banana producing countries (including the Philippines!) happy because of the increase in their banana consumption.Why?
Well, they came up with the morning banana diet or simply MBD.
Check out the following website:
The beauty of this diet is, you can supposedly eat anything that you normally eat as long as you stick to a diet of bananas in the morning.
Many are trashing this banana diet and saying it's just another fad. But many are also standing by it. So to help you make your decision, check out the following website.
http://morningbanana.com/what-the-morning-banana-diet-is-and-isnt
 | Amazon Price: $59.94 List Price: $79.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $200.00 List Price: $300.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $259.99 List Price: $340.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $439.00 List Price: $529.00 |
More Reasons to Go Bananas
Depressed? - Eat a banana! Come on, what has banana got to do with depression?
Well, bananas contain tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid that is converted to serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that makes you relaxed and calm. It improves your mood and makes you feel good.
Not only that, did you notice that high amounts of different vitamin Bs in the table? Vitamin Bs help strengthen and calm your nervous system.
If you suffer from S.A.D. or seasonal affective disorder, eating bananas is also recommended.
High Blood Pressure? - Go bananas once more!
Did you notice the high amounts of Potassium and Magnesium and a bit of Calcium in bananas? Those three are important for controlling blood pressure.
Potassium especially is very important because Potassium-Sodium balance is important for preventing heart diseases. The balance to maintain is high Potassium-low Sodium.
Hangovers? - A banana milkshake is the answer.
A drinking spree depletes your body of nutrients and water. To recover quickly from a hangover, prepare a banana milkshake and sweeten it with honey. Banana calms the digestive system. Milk helps in rehydrating your system while honey helps restore your sugar levels.
And who has been given a banana when he/she suffered from loose bowel movement? Banana helps stabilize your digestive system as well as helps restore the lost Potassium.
Going Bananas is the Way to Go!
Now it's not surprising anymore why athletes especially tennis players snack on bananas every time they take a break.
Bananas do not only give them energy but also help restore potassium and other minerals that are lost in sweat.
So, let's go bananas!
CommentsLoading...
Hi Amber - it's nice to see you!
Thanks for the additional info. That's great!
You are right, the more different kinds of fruit we eat, the better.
Thank you for being the first to visit!
Thanks again for dropping by. Hope to see you again!
I love it (and bananas)! I also like your banana divider bar:) I recently read that the inside skin of a banana was good for healing both mosquito bites and curing warts- if you can believe it :) The Japanese Banana Diet video makes a lot a sense. I bet it really works.
Love that Amazon impulse buy for Marshall Bandit Ferret Treats, Banana Flavor!
I love the title--going bananas--like giving permission for one to misbehave--just what I need. Unfortunately, banana is one of my least favorite fruit. I do, however, love it when it is used in cooking like banana chocolate chip muffin or banana fritters.
How about the the Japanese Banana diet?--I heard they are going bananas there--people can't find find enough bananas to sustain their weight loss diet, even when they go to the store first thing in the morning. Love this hub.
Hi Green Lotus - it's nice to see you again!
I love bananas too - all kinds, raw or cooked. In fact I even wrote in my happiness blog about "what I like about bananas". Oh, I forgot to place the link in the hub. I'll do it later.
I also read about that (the banana peel) but I haven't checked yet if it really works.
About the Japanese Banana Diet - it does sound reasonable. Even before the diet became popular, I have already been eating bananas before every meal. I suppose it helps me maintain my weight?
I had fun doing that banana divider bar. I'm happy you like it.
Do you have ferrets? That's great!
Thanks again for the visit and wonderful comment!
Hello anglnwu - nice to see you!
Well, that's the intention - to go bananas! Ha ha ha! With a name like yours, you can misbehave anytime you like, I think. Ha ha ha (again!).
Oh, is that so? Maybe you just haven't tasted the right banana? There are just so many varieties. Banana fritters are yummy! Hmmm...maybe I should write about banana recipes to complement this hub.
Yup - that's right...the Japanese are really going bananas!!!
Thanks again for dropping by and leaving a beautiful comment!
Hi Jill ! I do eat alot of bananas and I do prefer them to apples. The banana diet looks kinda rough. No beer ? Yikes ! However there is no doubt that bananas definitely have infinite nutritional value. Like you mentioned bananas have alot of potassium and are a natural muscle relaxant which is good if you have trouble sleeping.
But Jill I have family members and some here at HP that will tell ya I already have gone bananas ! :)
Hi Tony - great to see you here!
Oh, I kinda figured that you will not enjoy that part of the diet! Hahaha!
Thanks for the additional info about sleeping and banana. I'm sure more info will come in from other banana lovers.
Oh, Tony...I'm one of those who know that you have gone bananas. Hahaha! That's no problem, I've gone bananas too! Hahaha (once more)!!!
Very catchy, well done hub with great advice and strung together so nicely! GREAT job Jill!
Nice information. I do try my best to eat 5 different fruits in a day, and I never forget to include a banana in my list. Cuz as you said, they are relatively cheap. I might as well "go bananas"! I do take them before meals so they get absorbed by my body faster.
Hi Ann,
Thank you very much for visiting and leaving a wonderful comment!
Hello angcorics - thanks for visiting again. It's been a while since your last visit. I hope things are going great for you!
Oh, nice to know another banana lover! Welcome to the club! Going bananas is great!
Jill, I have not had my banana today because my son gobbles them all up. Every time I turn around, I have to run out for more. They are so good for you!
No ferrets!.,,it just made me laugh :)
What a great hub jill :D Now I will have a good reason for 'going bananas' LOL
Hi Dolores - great to see you!
Oh, so you are also a going bananas family! Wonderful!
I agree, they are really good for us.
Thanks for the lovely comment!
Hello Green Lotus - thanks for coming back!
And I thought you had a pet ferret! Ha ha ha. Those manufacturers can really think of anything including banana flavor in pet treats!
Thanks very much Enelle! Nice to see you here!
Yeah... let's go bananas!
My kaibigan Jill...
Nice pun, huh? Well, I can tell you I go bananas as much as I can. We have 5 banana trees in the back yard. So, It isn´t hard not to! Thanks for sharing this! Salamat!
Two bananas up!
warmest regards and infinite blessings,
Al
I love bananas. They are great! Thank you for a fine Hub.
Hello kaibigan Mystique - good to see you again!
Really, 5 banana trees? That's great! I also have a few plus a decorative one. It's got a beautiful flower and I'm planning to write about it soon.
Thanks very much for the positive comment!
You still have not answered my question why you know "kaibigan" and "salamat". Do you have Filipino friends?
Salamat!
All the best!
Hi James - thanks for dropping by!
That's great! Bananas are good for our health!
Thank you too! My pleasure!
All the best!
Yes, Right here! Maita and Michelle!
I love bananas, they are not only great for muscles and a wonderful source of various nutrients; they make really wonders for too much stomach acidity (?). They are wonderful, their only disadvantage is that since they are a tropical plant I can't grow my own. Very good hub, Rated up.
I eat lots of bananas too. A good hub with a lot of information I didn´t know.
Hi Mystique - oh, I met Maita and Michele here too!
That's great! Thanks for coming back kaibigan!
Hi there hypnodude - it's good to see you again!
Oh, so you are another banana lover! That's great, join the party!
You are right - bananas really help stabilize the stomach and can help neutralize hyperacidity.
Well, that means you will just have to rely on your grocery store then. My banana plants don't really bear fruit that often. So I also get most of my supply from the store.
Thanks again for the visit and wonderful comment!
Hello Hummingbird - thank you very much for dropping by. I'm happy that you learned something here.
Good to know that you are also a banana lover! We got a party here now!
jill - so cute this Hub . .I thoroughly enjoyed it and happy to know that my banana a day is this good for me! I love bananas . . I feel like doing a hub in follow up to this with all the ways I love to eat my bananas! Must go tweet this one now!!
I guess I have been on the right track all this time since I have been eating at least one banana, apple and orange daily. Thank you jill of alltrades so much for such a very enlightening hub. By the way, you did not say why we should not store bananas in the refrigerator. I don't do it, but I was just curious.
Hi wavegirl -
Thanks very much!
That's great! Yes, that will be a good idea. Then we can link our two hubs!
Hello create a page - nice to see you!
Yes, fruits are really good for our health The more varieties, the better. However, banana is really the best all-around fruit I think.
Oh, sorry, I forgot to explain that. Putting bananas inside the refrigerator will turn their peels into an ugly brown-black. Inside remains good but nobody wants to eat an ugly looking banana!
Thanks for the visit and wonderful comment!
HI Jill,
Bananas and Peanut Butter Sandwiches, good stuff. I have gone bananas plenty of times. Glad to see you have too. Great hub, my lady. Liked the banana divider bar too - very creative..
Hi coffeesnob - it's good to see you my friend!
Yes, love bananas and peanut butter sandwiches too!
It's really fun going bananas - both literally and figuratively! Hahaha!
Thanks very for your ever inspiring words.
A real treat is a sliced banana with Hellman's mayo on good oatmeal and sunflower seed bread. But we eat banana's every day one way or another!
Thanks for a hub good enough to be a resource!
Hello RTalloni - hey, I don't know that, sliced banana with mayo on oatmeal bread. I'm gonna try that.
Thanks very much for this addition. And thanks for the visit!
Totally with you on this Jill, since my heart attack I do take a banana everyday and they deff are good for you, nice lil hub !
Hello TattoGuy - nice to see you again my captain!
Oh, when did you have a heart attack? Are you fully recovered now?
I'm happy that banana works for you. This is definitely great news!
Thanks very much for the visit and wonderful comment.
Take care!
I think I will purchase some today. Thank you for this informative article.
Hi Coolmon - That's great! I'm sure you'll love them.
You are most welcome. My pleasure.
Thanks for visiting. Hope to see you again.
I love bananas! I like to make a milkshake with them - skim milk, a banana, some Splenda, and a few ice cubes in the blender. Yum! I'm going to look at the banana diet now!
Hello Habee - nice to know that you are another banana lover.
I love banana milkshake too. However, most of the time we just eat it raw. Usually there is hardly any left to make any shakes.
Thanks for the visit and lovely comment!
I really like the layout of this hub and of course the pro-banana approach. It just might be the perfect fruit!
Well Bananas are very good for giving you instant energy.
Plus Banana has much calcium . Its also good for the stomach.
Hi Stir Fry Guy - thanks very much for the visit and positive comment!
So you are another banana lover then? That's great!
Maybe not perfect, just great!
Hello Auction Website - welcome to another banana lover!
We are really discovering here about the many great qualities of bananas.
Thank you very much for the visit and additional info.
2 years ago, but I am the first aider in work so I knew the signs and was in hospital and had the clot bust within an hour with no scar damage to my heart. The Captain battles on ; )
Hello TattoGuy - Thanks for coming back my friend.
Oh, it's good to know that you survived that without any damage to your heart. That's really great!
Do take care of yourself. Have more bananas!
All the best!
Everyone loves a good banana! I knew they were really good for you but did not know all this. Thanks for the info!
mod2vint - it's nice to see you here!
You are right, everyone (almost, I just learned some don't) loves a good banana.
I'm happy that you learned something more here.
You are most welcome. My pleasure!
Way to go, Jill! I actually am, er, bananas about bananas! I buy 'em like crazy ever since I learned Justine76's Banana Bread Recipe. I bake them and then give them away.
Did I mention that this is an awesome Hub? I hope it reaches 100.
Dohn
Hi Dohn - so, you are the true crazy one! That's great! I wish I were near you so I can also get to taste your banana bread!
Thanks very much for your upbeat comment! I hope your words will turn out true! I have yet to have a hub that turns 100. When that happens we will celebrate with a banana party!
I actually always have a banana on our breakfast table. yeah let's all go bananas !!!! By the way I am female.
Hi MM - that's good! Thanks for the visit and comment.
Ooops! Sorry about that! I know somebody who is called MM also and he is male. I must have unconsciously associated you with him. Ok, I'll correct that. I should have known from your avatar that you are female. Still I erred. So sorry!
Thanks again!
lol. I got all the way down to the part about correcting loose bowels, and thought darnit! You see, I generally like bananas, I mean, I'm not a big fruit guy. But a banana's okay once in a while to me. But I have always swore than bananas bind me up. Perhaps my suspicions are true. :)
Hi Springboard,
Thank you for dropping by and leaving an upbeat comment.
Your suspicions are correct, bananas really correct loose bowels. They are always the first fruits recommended by doctors.
So let's go bananas!
jill of alltrades, great banana hub. Plus bananas fill you up and keep you from getting hungry for a long time. I love this hub and appreciate the great chart you did to compare apples to bananas. I will eat more bananas for sure, in fact why not now... Thanks and Peace :)
Hello katiem2 - thank you very much for dropping by and leaving an upbeat comment.
You are right, bananas are really great for filling up.
That's great...let's go bananas!
Good hub about bananas. I'm out...putting them on the shopping list now. Nice thing as you pointed out is their being not only available but inexpensive.
Hi Peggy - thank you very much for the visit and comment.
Yes, we should always include bananas in our shopping list. We can get a fresh bunch here even from just our corner friendly store. Very convenient really. So we always have bananas on our table.
I will look at a banana with more humility - such a noble fruit. But unfortunately I'd have to eat more of them! Great helpful hub :D
Hi Cris - it's nice to see you again!
Yes, the nutrients that we can get from bananas are simply amazing.
Why do you say unfortunately? I don't think there is anything wrong with having more bananas.
I am happy if this helped you. Thanks for the visit and wonderful comment.
i know a health freak, who admits to freezing a banana, and sucking it every night whilst reading in bed. This is absolutely true. Me and my daughter had run to the loo to laugh out loud, when she told is with a toatally straight face. bannanas get everywhere it seems nice hub
Hello seasoning - Wow, that's the first time I heard about that. Some people can go to extremes, but that sounds like a cool way to wind up the evening!
Thanks for sharing this interesting story.
Thanks for the visit and upbeat comment.
See you around!
I always tried to have a bannana a day.Do you think 4 bannanas a day is too much.Are their any downsides to bannanas.I do love them.Great hub and loved the muppets.I hope grocery stores don't hear about this.The price will go through the roof.I love that you can still get alot for little money.
Dream On - That's great! No, I don't think 4 bananas a day is too much. I usually eat 3 - 4 day and have not encountered problems with this. Of course it depends on the size of the banana, so just "play it by ear" - check how you feel after eating a certain number.
Thank you very much for your nice words.
God bless!
Great hub!
figment - thanks very much!
See you around!
Great hub! I love apples. Bananas go bad too quickly for me, but I love to eat them in smoothies.
Hi Betty,
It's nice to see you again!
I love apples too, but I love bananas even better. Yes, they are great as smoothies.
Thanks for the visit and wonderful comment!
See you around!
Hello jill-I like the bananas very much and my wife likes them more than I do, now the problem is that we don't have a banana tree now(We had one-it becomes many) and the bananas available in our markets are riped using calcium carbide and that is some thing ,gives both of us problem,what should we do?
Hi Suny - good to see you again!
Since calcium carbide is used for ripening, maybe what you can do is just buy the bananas while they are still unripe. Then you can just ripen them yourself. You can do this by placing the green bananas in a cardboard box.
Enjoy your bananas!
Thanks for the visit and wonderful comment.
God bless!
This is good hub.
Thank you very much William!
Thanks for dropping by.
God bless!
Amber Allen Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago
They're also good for treating insomnia too. Given how good fruit is for us perhaps we should eat an apple and a banana a day.
Amber:)