Going bananas

I received a pretty cool email the other day.  It was all about bananas and how their various properties were beneficial health-wise.  Actually, I thought it was so neat that I've made bananas the theme of this post!  Here are some of the cooler banana facts:

Anemia : High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

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 banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

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. 

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) 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.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

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.

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



Image taken from Bee Yinn Low at Rasa Malaysia



And for the finale: CAKE!  If you needed more incentive to love bananas, I'm giving it to you right here!  It's also a great way to use up over-ripe bananas that no one wants to eat...

GLAZED BANANA CAKE (Dairy Free)

1 3/4 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 cup sugar

1/2 - 3/4 cup water

2 very ripe bananas, mashed

Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly grease a loaf pan (9x5").  In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in 1/2 cup water.  Add oil.  Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  Add to liquid ingredients and mix.  Add more water if needed to make batter a more runny consistency.  Add mashed bananas and mix well.  Pour into pan and bake for 45-60 minutes until done and golden brown on top.  Let cool completely.

Glaze:

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 Tbsp orange juice

Place confectioners sugar in a bowl, add orange juice and mix well.  Pour or spread glaze over top and sides of cooled cake.  Let harden for about 20 minutes before serving. :o)