BANANAS
Go bonkers with bananas
Carmen Prins
Posted Fri, 02 Mar 2007

Bananas are fruit we've grown to love, whether for their convenience (they're ideal if you're on the go); rich flavour; or versatility — as a standalone snack, part of a meal or as a beauty product.

Then there's their steady availability: originally grown in Indo-Malaysia, they're now grown in all sub-tropical and tropical countries and can be grabbed off the shelf all year round.

But are bananas actually good for you?

The answer's a resounding 'yes'. The fruit's rich in starch, potassium and contains eight amino acids which can't be produced by the body itself. In addition to a little protein bananas provide you with (deep breath, now) vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B6 and E. And they contain three times more complex carbohydrates than any other fruit.

The power of bananas

The high potassium content is not only good for anaemia, it helps boost your brain power. The vitamin B calms the nervous system with vitamin B6, in particular, helping to regulate the blood sugar level and potentially lifting your mood. Great for fighting off PMS then, especially since bananas also contain tryptophan, an amino acid which the body converts into serotonin — the body's natural anti-depressant.

No wonder then that the banana has been identified as a something of an aphrodisiac — the potassium and B vitamins doing their bit for sex hormone production.

Feel yourself getting a bit too hot under the proverbial collar, though? Don't worry, their low salt content helps keep your blood pressure low.

But wait, as they say in those infomercials, there's more. While the high fibre levels reduce constipation, bananas are also good for stomach ulcers; natural antacids if you like. Lining the stomach and neutralising its acidity they're equally effective for hangovers — a banana shake will settle your stomach while the sugar content replenishes your energy. (Incidentally, bananas can also cause hangovers — in eastern Africa, beer is made from the fruit).

Looking good

In need of a little more pampering? Try a banana facial mask for dry skin:

• Take two medium bananas and mash them with a fork.
• Don't mash too much or it will become too runny.
• Add honey.
• Smooth the mask over your skin and leave it there for 10 minutes.
• Rinse off the mixture with cold water.

The process and end result may not be as glamorous as a salon facial, but both the banana and honey have moisturising effects.

Storing bananas

Considering their diversity, it's not a bad idea to keep a stash of bananas nearby, although it's not ideal to store them in the fridge — unless you’re wanting them to go brown. Better to keep the fruit at room temperature.

If you can't wait for them to ripen on their own either place them in the sun; or, with an apple, in a sealed bag.

Gone too far? If you want to salvage bananas that are too ripe: peel, cut up into slices, seal in a plastic bag and freeze. Use them when needed for smoothies, sauces or for baking.

So, go on, go bananas!