Plátano: insuperable como alimento y remedio

5 agosto 2014 2 05 /08 /agosto /2014 16:42

Plátano: insuperable como alimento y remedio

Banana as food and remedy

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Plátano como alimento y remedio

Esto es curioso e interesante. Después de leerlo, nunca verá el plátano de la misma manera.

Los plátanos contienen tres azúcares naturales - sacarosa, fructosa y glucosa. Un plátano da impulso y energía al instante, y de manera sostenida.
La investigación ha demostrado que dos plátanos proveen suficiente energía para realizar un trabajo extenuante de 90 minutos; por algo el plátano es la fruta número uno entre los atletas de élite del mundo. Un plátano puede también ayudar a superar o prevenir un número sustancial de enfermedades y condiciones, por lo que es básico incluirlo en nuestra dieta diaria.

DEPRESIÓN
De acuerdo con una encuesta de la revista MIND entre personas que sufren depresión, muchas se sentían mucho mejor después de comer un plátano. Esto es porque los plátanos contienen triptófano, un tipo de aminoácido que el cuerpo convierte en serotonina, conocida por sus efectos relajantes, que además mejorar su estado de ánimo y en general hacer que uno se sienta feliz. Es oportuno precisar que MIND es una revista de divulgación científica bimensual estadounidense centrada en psicología, neurociencia y otros campos relacionados, publicada por Scientific American.
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SÍNDROME PREMENSTRUAL
Olvídese de las píldoras - coma un plátano. La vitamina B6 que contiene regula los niveles de glucosa en la sangre, lo que puede mejorar su estado de ánimo.

ANEMIA
Por su alto contenido de hierro, los plátanos pueden estimular la producción de hemoglobina en la sangre y ayudan en casos de anemia.
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PRESIÓN ARTERIAL
Al ser extremadamente alto en potasio y bajo en sal, el plátano es ideal para combatir la presión arterial alta, tanto es así, que la Food and Drug Administration de EE.UU., ahora permite que la industria bananera consigne en las etiquetas de sus productos, la capacidad de esta fruta para reducir el riesgo de alta presión arterial y los accidentes cerebrovasculares.

BUENO PARA EL CEREBRO
200 estudiantes de la escuela Twickenham (Inglaterra) fueron a sus exámenes tras comer plátanos en el desayuno, a media mañana y en el almuerzo, en un intento por aumentar su capacidad cerebral. La investigación ha demostrado que el potasio contenido en la fruta puede ayudar al aprendizaje, dándo mayor capacidad de alerta.

ESTREÑIMIENTO
Por su alto contenido en fibra, incluir plátanos en la dieta puede ayudar a restaurar la acción normal del intestino, ayudando a superar el problema sin recurrir a laxantes.

RESACA
Una de las maneras más rápidas de curar una resaca es hacer un batido de plátano, endulzado con miel. La banana calma el estómago y, con la ayuda de la miel reconstituye los agotados niveles de azúcar en sangre, mientras que la leche calma y rehidrata tu sistema.

ACIDEZ
Los plátanos tienen un efecto antiácido natural en el cuerpo, por lo que si usted sufre de acidez, coma un plátano para aliviarse.

DEBILIDAD MATINAL
Un plátano como tentempié entre comidas ayuda a mantener los niveles de azúcar en la sangre y evitar las náuseas matutinas.

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PICADURA DE MOSQUITOS
Antes de recurrir a crema contra picaduras de mosquito, pruebe frotar el área afectada con la parte interior de una cáscara de plátano. Para muchas personas resulta efectivo para reducir la hinchazón y la irritación.

NERVIOS
Los plátanos son ricos en vitaminas del complejo B que ayudan a calmar el sistema nervioso ..
¿Excesiva presión en el trabajo? Estudios en el Instituto de Psicología de Austria han encontrado que la presión en el trabajo conduce a recurrir al chocolate, las patatas fritas t otros snacks chatarra. En seguimiento a 5000 pacientes hospitalizados, los investigadores encontraron que los más gordos, generalmente tenían puestos de trabajo de alta presión. El informe concluyó que, para evitar los antojitos chatarra provocados por el stress, necesitamos controlar nuestro nivel de azúcar en sangre, comiendo alimentos con alto contenido de carbohidratos, como el plátano, cada dos horas, para mantener nuestro nivel de azúcar en sangre estable.

ÚLCERAS
El plátano se utiliza como alimento dietético contra desórdenes intestinales debido a su textura blanda y suave. Es la única fruta cruda que puede ser ingerida sin angustia en casos crónicos de úlceras. También neutraliza el exceso de acidez y reduce la irritación al recubrir la mucosa del estómago.

CONTROL DE LA TEMPERATURA
Muchas otras culturas ven al plátano como una fruta de 'enfriamiento' que puede bajar la temperatura física y emocional de las mujeres embarazadas. En Tailandia, por ejemplo, las mujeres embarazadas comen plátanos para asegurarse que sus bebés nazcan con una fresca temperatura.
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El plátano es un remedio natural para muchos males. Cuando lo comparas con una manzana, tiene cuatro veces más proteínas, dos veces más carbohidratos, tres veces más fósforo, cinco veces más vitamina A y hierro, y el doble de otras vitaminas y minerales. El plátano también es rico en potasio y es uno de los alimentos más populares ... así que tal vez se justifica el dicho: "un plátano al día mantiene alejado al doctor!

Cáscara de plátano bendita

     1 Elimina Astillas -. Olvídese de recurrir a un alfiler para sacarse una astilla! Adhiera cinta adhesiva a un pedazo de cáscara de plátano, apliquelo sobre su astilla y en diez minutos, las enzimas de la cascarita de banana facilitaran el retiro de la astilla con una pequeña presión de expulsión.

     2 Alivia las picaduras de mosquitos y la comezón de la hiedra y otras plantas venenosas. Sólo frote la cáscara de plátano en sus picaduras de insectos y erupciones cutáneas para detener la picazón. En Atlanta (EEUU), donde hay enormes mosquitos tigre, se recurre a esta cura.

     . 3 Solución para las arrugas y los dolores de cabeza - Frotar una cáscara de plátano en la frente una y otra vez le hará tres cosas ... desaparecen sus arrugas , su dolor de cabeza desaparece y te hará ver como completamente loco.

     4 Alivia el dolor de quemaduras y raspaduras -. Tu pequeño se cayó de su bicicleta y se raspó la rodilla? Sólo tienes que friccionar una cáscara de plátano en la magulladura.

     5 Al parecer, las cáscaras de plátano son también buenas para brillar zapatos, pulir plata y hacer crecer mejor todo en el jardín. Wow

Banana as food and remedy

Bananas: food or medicine?

Guests invited to testify in Senate hearings are not always pampered with kindness. One such roughed-up individual was National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales who, sweating under intense grilling pulled out a banana from his clutch bag and started to eat and talk. It was not an act of discourtesy – he was taking his medicine to calm his nerves and lower his blood pressure.

Bananas are unique fruit with unique properties. It has a rare combination of energy value, tissue-building elements, vitamins and minerals, fiber and other essential nutrients. Its convenient natural packing is compact, healthy, easy to carry and use.

Some interesting facts about bananas:

They are the only fruit that actually develop better color, texture, aroma, and sweetness when ripened after harvest. It’s the tiny seeds within the fruit that release a ripening hormone, a mixture of ethylene gas and carbon dioxide.
Bananas are the most potassium-rich food that is available worldwide and year-round.
Bananas make baby boys! Recently researchers confirmed the old wives’ tale that eating bananas is associated with having a boy.

· A banana is undoubtedly a fruit containing the seeds of the plant though since commercially grown banana plants are sterile, the seeds are reduced to little specks. However, the banana plant, though it is called a 'banana-tree' in popular usage, is technically regarded as a herbaceous plant (or 'herb'), not a tree, because the stem does not contain true woody tissue.

There are more than 300 varieties of bananas bred for cultivation
The annual global banana output is 86 million tons
Bananas are the fourth most important staple food in the developing world
Bananas originated in Malaysia

Reduced risk of high blood pressure

Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. A medium-sized banana provides 350 mg of potassium. The effectiveness of potassium-rich foods in lowering blood pressure has been demonstrated by a number of studies. The US Food and Drug Administration has allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. According to the FDA, “Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.” Plus, potassium helps your body maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balances in the cells.

Scientists report that natural compounds in bananas act in a manner similar to anti-hypertensive drugs. The team studied six popular banana varieties and found that all had ACE-inhibiting properties, though the ripened bananas had a stronger action than unripe ones. Researchers have reported that blood pressure fell by 10% in people who ate two bananas daily for a week.

Reduced risk of stroke

Scientists suggest that people with a low amount of potassium in their diet may have an increased risk of stroke. A study of 5,600 people aged over 65 found that those with the lowest intake of the potassium were 50% more likely to suffer a stroke. High-potassium foods, like bananas, may lower the risk of stroke, but researchers say that more studies are needed to confirm whether increasing potassium in the diet can prevent strokes.

Restore normal bowel activity

Because the banana is rich in nondigestible fibers (including cellulose, hemicellulose, and alpha-glucans) it can help restore normal bowel activity and help with both constipation and diarrhea. Bananas normalize the colon’s function to absorb large amounts of water for regular bowel movements. Their usefulness is due to their richness in pectin, which is water-absorbent and this gives them a bulk producing ability.

Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound called a prebiotic because it nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce vitamins and digestive enzymes that improve our ability to absorb nutrients, plus compounds that protect us against unfriendly microorganisms. When fructooligosaccharides are fermented by these friendly bacteria, not only do numbers of probiotic bacteria increase, but so does the body’s ability to absorb calcium. For this reason, ingesting antibiotics harm these beneficial bacteria.

Research published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences underscores just how much bananas can improve nutrient absorption. In this study, 57 babies (5-12 months) with persistent diarrhea of at least 14 days duration were given a week’s treatment with a rice-based diet containing either green banana, apple pectin or the rice diet alone. Treatment with both green banana and apple pectin resulted in a 50% reduction in stool weights, indicating that the babies were absorbing significantly more nutrients.

Protection from ulcers & Heartburn remedy

Bananas have long been recognized for their antacid effects that protect against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage. A flavonoid in the banana, leucocyanidin, has been found to significantly increase the thickness of the mucous membrane layer of the stomach. Since bananas help to neutralize acidity, they are also a great way to get rid of heartburn. In an animal study, a simple mixture of banana and milk significantly suppressed acid secretion.

Protection against neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease)

Researchers at Cornell University investigated the effects of apple, banana, and orange extracts on neuron cells and found that the phenolic phytochemicals of the fruits prevented neurotoxicity on the cells. Among the three fruits, apples contained the highest content of protective antioxidants, followed by bananas then oranges. These results suggest that fresh apples, banana, and orange in our daily diet along with other fruits may protect neuron cells against oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity and may play an important role in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Perfect Baby food

Bananas are the best solid food to introduce to infants. A mashed ripe banana is an extremely simple and healthy baby food. Potassium, Fiber, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Iron, Vitamins A, B2, B6, C, E, Niacin, Folate, and Pantothenic Acid. Furthermore, bananas are very easy to digest and rarely cause allergic reactions. Bananas are part of the BRAT diet, a diet many physicians recommend for children recovering from gastrointestinal problems, particularly diarrhea. Recent study found evidence that a higher consumption of bananas and apple juice from concentrate may protect against wheezing in children.

Cholesterol-lowering effect

Animal studies have shown that banana has the potential to lower cholesterol. It was suggested that the dietary fibre component in banana pulp was responsible for its cholesterol-lowering effect. The amount of dietary fibre in banana is relatively constant during banana ripening.

Kidney health

Bananas promote an overall improvement of the functional efficiency of kidneys. Benefits to the kidneys are again due to the high potassium content of bananas. A normal intake of potassium suppresses calcium excretion in the urine and minimizes the risk of kidney stones.

The results of the Swedish population based prospective study (13.4 years) of 61,000 women aged 40-76, show that women eating more than 75 servings of fruits and vegetables per month (which translates into 2.5 per day) cut their risk of kidney cancer 40%. Among the fruits, bananas were especially protective. Women eating bananas four to six times a week halved their risk of developing the disease compared to those who did not eat this fruit.

Hang-over

One of the fastest ways to cure hang-over is to make a dairy banana cocktail with milk and honey. Bananas are known to calm an upset stomach and help rehydrate your body. Bananas are rich in the important electrolytes, magnesium and potassium, which are severely depleted during heavy drinking. Banana with the honey builds up the depleted blood sugar levels, providing some energy.

Energy booster

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. Potassium is also essential for helping muscles to contract properly during exercise and reduces cramping up. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

Immunity booster

Bananas 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 fruit strengthens your armor against infectious diseases. With each average-sized banana, you ingest about 15 percent of the RDA for vitamin C, one of the strongest antioxidants.

Depression:

According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is 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 happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains 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.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

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.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking & Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, 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. 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.

Bananas are famous for containing potassium, an essential electrolyte that helps regulate blood chemistry (particularly Ph) and improves carbohydrate metabolism by helping the muscles act efficiently. Without potassium (and sodium) your muscles stop firing correctly. Severe loss of sodium can produce really nasty complications all the way up to shock and death. Potassium also prevents the blood’s Ph from becoming too acidic. Bananas are also rich in vitamin B6, which helps metabolize more than 60 proteins and assists in red blood cell production that transports oxygen to muscles and folate in bananas helps concentration and memory.
Two bananas a day (or one with every large meal) offers optimal GI effect (a slippery, soft stool with no mess). What you spend on bananas you will save on toilet paper.
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 carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, 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 its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! Want a quick shine on your shoes? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit.

http://neonate28.blogspot.com/2008/11/bananas-food-or-medicine.html

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