Going bananas: there are a bunch of reasons bananas are good for your health

Vibrant Life, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Denis' Thomas

Next time you browse through the produce department, grab a bunch of bananas--make that a lot of bananas. The yellow, crescent-shaped fruit offers loads of vitamins and such versatility that it's easy to find delicious ways to indulge.

The average banana contains 451 milligrams of potassium. Potassium is an essential mineral for heart function and normal blood pressure, so eating plenty of this grin-shaped fruit could help prevent heart attack, stroke, and heart arrhythmias, giving you something to really smile about. Plus, potassium helps your body maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balances in the cells.

Bananas also contain 25 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin B6, necessary for producing antibodies and red blood cells as well as aiding in the metabolism of fat. In addition, vitamin B6 serves as an immunity booster. So, this brightly colored fruit strengthens your armor against infectious diseases.

This mushy food associated with primates also protects against cancer, and that's no monkey business. With each average-sized banana, you ingest about 15 percent of the RDA for vitamin C, one of the strongest defenses against many forms of cancer, such as lung, pancreatic, cervical, breast, bladder, and stomach cancer, just to name a few.

Containing only about a half a gram of fat and 105 calories each, bananas enhance your health, not your waistline. So chowing down on this delectable fruit could actually keep you trim. In addition, they provide about two grams of cholesterol reducing fiber.

Although bananas are just about the perfect food, the best reason to eat them is their scrumptious, sweet taste. With astounding versatility, bananas can be eaten raw, cooked, or frozen.

Add mashed bananas to pancakes, muffin mix, quick breads, and cakes for moisture and natural sweetness. Peel bananas, break them in thirds, and freeze them so they are ready to toss in the blender with orange juice and frozen berries for a luscious smoothie. Blend them with water for a yummy milk that children will love, containing all eight essential amino acids. Buy them in bulk, because the riper they are, the tastier they are in cooking and freezing.

Bananas are perfect any time of day. Enjoy banana brunch foods for breakfast, sip a banana smoothie with a peanut butter and banana sandwich lunch, grab a golden bunch of nutrition for a snack, and bring out the banana bread for dessert after dinner.

Any wonder people are going bananas?

This yellow wonder fruit is loaded with so much delicious nutrition that it packs a powerful ... bunch. Enjoy them for the taste. Enjoy them for your health. Stock up today and enjoy them anytime.

Bananarama Pancakes

1   cup flour
1   T. sugar
2   t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1   egg
1   cup milk or soy milk
2   T. vegetable cooking oil
2   medium bananas, mashed

Stir the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together. Add
egg, milk, oil, and mashed bananas. Stir until just blended but
slightly lumpy. Pour 1/3 cup batter onto a greased, hot griddle.
Cook until the tops bubble; then flip and cook the other side
until golden brown. Serve hot. Makes 8-10 pancakes.

Banana Muffins

2     cups flour
11/2  cups sugar
11/2  t. baking powder
3/4   t. baking soda
1/2   t. salt
1     cup mashed ripe banana
1/2   cup buttermilk, sour milk, or soymilk with 1 T. of lemon juice
1/2   cup vegetable shortening
2     eggs
1     t. vanilla

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add banana, milk, shortening, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with a
mixer on low speed until combined, then on high speed for
three minutes. Fill greased muffin cups about 1/2 full. Bake at
350[degrees]F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 12.

Scrumptious Smoothies

2     average-sized bananas (frozen)
1     cup frozen berries
1 1/2 cup orange juice

Put all ingredients in a blender and
blend until smooth. Serves 2.

Denis' Thomas is a writer living in Woodbury, Tennessee.