Banana - Universal Ally to Your Health |
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Banana (lat. Musa spp.) originates from Southeast Asia and grows in all tropical regions of the world.
Bananas are cultivated as food, but also as a decorative garden or house plant.
The earliest records on bananas date back 2.500 years ago and are found in Sanskrit language, while banana trade started at the end of 14th century.
The soldiers of Alexander the Great were the first Europeans who discovered this fruit in India.
Bananas were spread in Africa by Arabs and European settlers (Spanish, Portuguese and English) brought them to South America in the 16th century.
Sweet Richness of Nutrients
Important ingredients found in the banana fruit are:
- Simple sugars
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- Carotenes
- B complex vitamins
- Pectin
- Malic acid
Banana contains simple natural sugars, fructose and glucose, that absorb quickly and provide the body with energy necessary for physical activity.
That is why a banana is a favorite fruit among professional athletes.
When compared with an apple, a banana has four times more proteins, three times more phosphorus and five times more vitamin A and iron.
It contains a high amount of potassium which is vital for muscle contraction and proper functioning of the nervous system.
Potassium and magnesium help the cardiovascular system and improve the mood.
Several scientific studies indicated the effectiveness of potassium in lowering blood pressure, especially when it is caused by consuming excessive amounts of salt.
The potassium enhances salt ejection from the body through urination, assures good heart rate and functional and healthy muscles.
One banana provides the body with 15% of daily needs of vitamin C and it is well known that vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps with neutralization of free radicals.
It also helps with production of collagen which keeps the muscles, bones and other tissues together.
In addition, bananas contain copper, manganese, selenium and zinc.
The Healing Benefits of Bananas
Bananas are an excellent ally for your health. This fruit significantly helps with the following diseases:
Brain Stroke
According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, regular consumption of bananas can reduce the risk of brain stroke for 40%.
Italian and English scientists are convinced that eating three bananas per day significantly reduces the risk of brain stroke.
A diet rich with potassium reduces the risk of blood clots and it is important for the heart as well.
It protects blood vessels from damages and reduces the chance for cardiovascular diseases.
Depression and Bad Mood
If you feel sad, take a banana.
Banana contains tryptophan - an amino acid which the body converts to serotonin. Serotonin is known to make you relax, improve your mood and make you feel happier.
This fruit is a good source of vitamin B which is essential for the formation of serotonin in the brain.
Banana contains magnesium, whose deficit is closely linked to occurrence of depression, anxiety, irritability and other mood disorders.
Ulcer
Bananas will neutralize acid reflux and reduce irritation in case you have problems with gastric ulcer.
Dried, unripe bananas contain indocid which help to increase mucus in the digestive tract.
Mucus forms a strong protective layer that helps in preventing and healing ulcer.
PMS
Eat banana if you feel nervous.
Vitamin B6 regulates the level of blood sugar which can affect your mood changes.
Diarrhea
Banana can help in calming this digestive problem.
Peel a banana, cut it into pieces or crush and eat after it becomes dark.
It will calm your digestive problems and help the body restore its lost electrolytes.
Smoking
Bananas can also help people stop smoking.
Vitamins B6, B12, as well as potassium and magnesium help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Cultivation of Bananas in Croatia - Challenging But Not an Impossible Project
Although recently the cultivation of bananas in Croatia was considered as mission impossible, Croatian media reported some new experiences that claim the opposite.
We are not talking about “imported” bananas that can be found in stores.
We are talking about other varieties of bananas like “Australian bananas” that are successfully planted in Rovinj and provide their owner with 150 kilos of banana fruits every autumn.
Similar types of bananas were also successfully planted in other “colder” parts of Croatia such as Donja Bistra, Zagorje, Nova Gradiška and Slavonia.
How to Cultivate Bananas in Our Region
The smooth cultivation of bananas requires a lot of sun and high air humidity (at least 60%).
It has to be irrigated almost every day. In the summer it should be watered twice a week and in winter lesser. Before watering the plant again, humus layer needs to be dry.
In winter, it is necessary to provide it with enough light and a minimum temperature of 12 Celsius.
It breeds by removing and planting side sprouts that grow at the bottom of the stem.
If cultivated as a decorative house plant, it should be replanted every spring in the organic substrate mixed with sand and a little bit of peat.
From mid-May to late September it should be placed in the garden
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