Banana, an extremely nutritious fruit, contains 75% water, 1.3% protein, and 0.6% fat. 100 grams of peeled banana contains 108.5 calories, 3g of fiber, 1g of protein, 27.5g of carbohydrates, and a significant amount of potassium. It is recommended for the treatment of many diseases, especially in cases such as fever, digestive disorders, muscle cramps, and muscle laxity.
Thanks to its high potassium content, it facilitates the elimination of waste from the body and helps lower blood pressure. Banana is also used in allergy treatment. The potassium in it, together with sodium, enables cell and muscle development, regulates the body's water balance, and helps normalize heartbeats. Disruption of the sodium-potassium balance leads to irregularities in the activities of the nervous system and muscles; potassium deficiency can also cause edema in the body and a drop in blood sugar. Excessive potassium intake is also harmful.
Thanks to the vitamin B6 it contains, it plays an active role in many chemical reactions of proteins and amino acids. It helps the brain function normally, supports the formation of red blood cells, and maintains the chemical balance between body fluids. It contributes to energy production, provides resistance to stress, acts as a helper enzyme in metabolic processes, and treats some types of anemia. Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to problems such as fatigue, mental confusion, irritability, insomnia, anemia, kidney stones, and deterioration of skin tissue.
It is also excellent for fatigue and diarrhea; the vitamins it contains create serotonin-like effects in the body. It is very beneficial for intestinal disorders and nervous weakness. Since the amount of calcium in bananas is low, consuming it with yogurt or milk is recommended for bone development and protection; banana eaten with milk provides the body with plenty of iron, calcium, and vitamins. Banana is rich in iron, milk is rich in calcium; these two foods together ensure children's blood circulation and development, and help patients recover. It can also be mixed with breakfast cereals. From the 10th month onwards, a mixture with milk or yogurt is recommended for babies' healthy development.
Banana, with its abundant vitamins, relieves nervous weakness, nerve and brain fatigue; it is very beneficial for those who work physically and especially mentally. A suggestion for those with nervous disorders: Every day between two meals (at 10 am or 3 pm), one well-ripened banana should be mashed, mixed with 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 spoon of fresh cream, and eaten plain or with bread, and this should be continued for 8-10 days.
Banana relieves intestinal disorders with its tannin and starch. Since it does not contain cellulose, those suffering from constipation should not eat banana plain; they should consume it after fruits that soften the intestines like oranges or pears, or after vegetable dishes. It is very beneficial for joint and kidney patients. The banana must be naturally ripened: a ripe banana has a brown tip, a dark yellow color, and is slightly soft; those artificially yellowed with gas are unripe, increase stomach acid, and lead to constipation. Its nutritional value is superior to potatoes. Since it is rich in starch, it should be thoroughly mixed with saliva in the mouth before swallowing, otherwise it causes acidity in the stomach and gas in the intestines. It is not recommended for diabetics.
Banana Diet Craze in Japan
Due to the banana diet craze that started in Japan, finding bananas in supermarkets has become difficult. The basis of the diet, described by a pharmacist named Sumiko Watanabe in her book "Morning Banana Diet," is to complete breakfast with only one banana and a glass of water at room temperature. Thanks to the banana keeping you full all day, other meals are eaten less; during the diet, eating sweets is forbidden, and it is recommended not to consume anything after 8:00 PM and to go to bed early. After it was heard that a Japanese female singer lost about 7 kg in six weeks, banana consumption increased by 80% compared to the previous year. This diet has no known harm; however, it is recommended not to be practiced without doctor supervision.
