Banana

Bananas are common and very normal fruits but they have extraordinary properties that make them a great super-food which provide us with energy, make us feel full and provide our bodies with the needed essential nutrients due to the high amount of fibers, vitamins and natural sugars, such as fructose and sucrose.

This fruit is consumed all over the world and the price is very affordable in most countries. Additionally, it is the top consumed fruit in the USA.

The unripe fruits normally are green but may have other colour like purple. Upon purchasing, bananas last approximately a week but after some time there are black spots that appear on them and grow bigger and bigger , until the banana turns black. 

We think that they are rotten and thus just throw them away. These dark spots are not a sign of rotting but something very unique.

This is the sign which shows that the bananas actually ripen and the more spots appear the better for you.

The dark spots represent the tumour necrosis factor  (TNF) and the higher this factor the better. 

This is a cancer fighting substances that assists in fighting against abnormal cells in the body. TNF helps the communication between the cells in our immune system, guiding the movements of the cells towards the areas in our bodies that are inflamed or infected.

A recent research showed that TNF from bananas can stop tumour cell growth and and spread, causing apoptosis or cell death.

Bananas are packed with high levels of antioxidants which strength the immune system and increase the white cells count. Through this way the body fights off infections and evn cancer.

Aside from these properties, bananas have great benefits, thus you need to include them into your daily diet. 

Bananas are good for:-

Blood Presure

They are high in potassium, but do not contain sodium, thus they are excellent for the heart. They lower the blood pressure and prevent heart attachs and strokes.

Heartburn

This condition can be relieved in a minute due to the fruit's natural anti-acid properties, thus if in case you start feeling the symptoms, munch one banana and you will momentarily feel better.

Anemia

Anemic people can benefit from introducing bananas into their diets as they will be provided with iron.It stimulates the production of hemoglobin and strengthen the blood supply.

Energy

They give energy and are great pre-workout snack as they contain minerals, vitamins and low glycemic carbs that increase your endurance while the high level of potassium prevents muscle cramps.

Depression

Due to bananas being high in tryptophan  which is converted into serotonin upon digestion, they can fight depression. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that makes us feel happy, relaxed and in better mood. In case you feel down, take one banana and you will feel much better.

Ulcers

Bananas are perfect for this condition as they are soft, muchy and protect the stomach lining from irritation and acid.

Temperature control

This fruit lowers the body temperature and cools you off. This goes for when you feel hot or when you have a fever.

Nerves or  PMS

In case you feel stressed out or down , take a banana as it regulates the blood sugar levels and is rich in vitamin B which naturally calm the nervous system, making people feel relaxed and improving their mood.

Constipation

The fibers they contain are beneficial for those who suffer from constipation and they stimulate bowel movement and relieve the symptoms.

A Petai a day keeps the doctor away

ADVICE FROM UKM MEDICAL DOCTOR Little did you know ........ after reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at petai in the same way again! Petai contains three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose. Combined with fiber, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two servings of petai provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.. No wonder petai is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way petai can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating petai. This is because petai 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 (premenstrual syndrome): Forget the pills - eat petai. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Anaemia: High in iron, petai can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia. Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the petai industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. Brain Power : 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating petai 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. Understand that bananas contain lot of potassium too so eat more banana... Just look at those monkeys, they are really active, alert, smart and cunning too!! Constipation: High in fiber, including petai 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 petai milkshake, sweetened with honey. The petai 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: Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating petai for soothing relief. Morning Sickness : Snacking on petai 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 the petai skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.. Nerves: Petai is high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight: Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady. Ulcers: Petai 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. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Temperature control : Many other cultures see petai as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Holland , for example, pregnant women eat petai to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Petai can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan. Smoking: Petai 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 petai snack. Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine" eating petai as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%". Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of petai and place it on the wart.. Carefully hold the petai in place with a plaster or surgical tape! So, as you can see, petai 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 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 Petai a day keeps the doctor away"