Nutrition Value of Banana and Health Benefits

Banana has a high nutrition value. Its health benefits are numerous. It is useful for skincare, hypertension and heartburn

Banana is a tropical weather fruit with high nutritional benefits. It is plucked when it is green and acquires a yellow color as it ripens and is a cheap high energy food. Banana is rich in digestible sugars which are released to the blood stream and helps to keep the energy levels high. It is a very good remedy for constipation, diarrhea and dysentery.

Banana  
                                        Source : Wikimedia Commons- Marlith                                          

Banana for Nutrition

Banana is rich in dietary fibers and easy to digest. It also helps keep blood sugar levels under check. It provides instant energy. Athletes and other sports persons use it to combat exhaustion and improve performance. It promotes calcium absorption and is very good for the health of the bones. It is rich in vitamin C and improves immunity of the body against diseases. It is also rich in minerals like copper, manganese and magnesium. It helps to improve the production of red blood cells. It is an antioxidant and slows down the aging process. It is one of the best sources of potassium.

Banana for Hypertension

Banana is rich in potassium and helps to reduce sodium levels in the body. As exercise reduces potassium levels in the body, banana helps to restore them. Enzyme contained in the fruit is said to reduce hypertension. It is also very good for gastritis, acidity and peptic ulcer. It stimulates mucus production by the stomach lining. Banana is iron rich and helps to fight iron deficiency.

Banana Face Pack

Banana is also used as a cosmetic. Hot honey combines with mashed banana to make a paste. The combination is used as a face pack. Another recipe for face pack is a paste made of mashed banana, honey, curds, yogurt and egg white. It keeps the skin soft glowing and healthy. Banana peel is also a very good remedy for a variety of skin conditions. It has a very soothing effect on the inflamed lesions of the dreadful skin disease psoriasis. It is used to treat acne. Only ripe banana has to be used for skincare

Banana for Teeth Whitening

Rubbing banana skin on the teeth makes them sparkling white. Banana contains potassium, magnesium are manganese are absorbed by the teeth to whiten them.

It increases the hemoglobin content in the body and is recommended for anemia. It can also reduce the chance of strokes. Rubbing banana skin on mosquito bites reduces the irritation. It is also helpful to get rid of warts.

Banana for Heartburn

A fully ripe banana can act as a barrier against stomach acid and is a remedy for heartburn. However unripe green banana can aggravate the problem.

Ripe mashed banana is used to treat wounds and reduces the chance of scars. It is a stress buster and has a soothing effect on the nervous system. As it is soft and smooth, it can be eaten safely by people having ulcers. Ripe bananas can be mashed and made into bread or cake.

Banana has a high nutritional value and provides immense health benefits.

Ways to Increase Your Metabolism

There are several ways to speed up metabolism and reduce weight.  Metabolism could be explained as the rate at which the body burns calories. Body burns calories 24 hours a day. Metabolism starts to slow down after the age of thirty. A combination of right foods, exercise and other activities help to keep up the metabolism rate.


Morning has to start with a good breakfast. Carbohydrates, bread and fruit will be ideal for the breakfast. In the morning as we start to work, we burn more calories. As the day progresses we need reduce the food intake. Eating small quantities of food at short intervals will help the digestive system to work more efficiently. Far less fat will be stored in the body. Drinking sufficient quantities of water is an absolute must to speed up your metabolism .


Some foods carry less calories and it takes the body more calories to burn them. Vegetables, fruits contain fiber that is easy to digest. A combination of fruits and cold yogurt would be excellent as the body burns up a quite few calories to bring it to its own temperature. Leafy vegetables also help digestion and carry fewer calories.


It would be better to split the exercise routine to three or four times a day. If you are walking for an hour daily, three 20 minute walks are preferable. Body fats are burnt long time after exercising. To burn off the existing additional fat in the body cardio vascular training and strength exercises are necessary. When the body needs energy it breaks the carbohydrates first, then fats and protein.


Green tea has fat burning properties. Many diet pills contain green tea. Eat 5-6 small meals a day instead of three times. This helps the body to burn energy better instead of storing it as fat. Reduce eating sweets and consuming sugary drinks.


These are some of the ways to increase your metabolism

How to Prevent Blood Clots Naturally

Certain foods can help to prevent blood clots naturally. Some of those foods that can prevent blood clots are garlic, ginger and salmon


Blood clots are the result of long periods of inactivity. People who travel by air or car for long periods are prone to blood clots. Blood clots can form in any part of the body and travel to the brain to cause a stroke. They can also cause heart attacks. Whenever we cut our skin blood oozes out. When we press and hold it blood coagulates and the bleeding stops. But the blood has to be in liquid form inside the body. Blood clot is also known as thrombus. Heredity is also an important factor in the formation of blood clots. Some people are more predisposed to blood clots than the others. People with varicose veins have greater chance of a blood clot than the others.


One of the precautions to be taken by people who are predisposed to have blood clots is that they have to keep their legs at a higher level when they sleep by raising the bottom posts of their beds or keeping pillows below their feet. Compressions stockings are a good blood clot remedy. They put pressure on the veins and help in reducing the chances of a blood clot. If a blood clot moves to lungs it is indicated by shortness of breath or pain. The drugs used in dissolving a blood clot are Heparin and Warfarin.


Garlic for Blood Clots


Garlic is a herb which is commonly used in Indian cooking. It has several medicinal properties. It contains two chemicals allicin, a natural antibiotic and ajoene. These two chemicals help to reduce the blood cholesterol levels. It is also a natural blood thinner which helps the prevention of clots. Three cloves of garlic should be taken every day.


Ginger for Blood Clots

Ginger is common herb which is used in Indian cooking. This has several medicinal properties. The root of the plant helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels. It also removes the plaque inside arteries, reducing the chances of a blood clot.


Omega-3 Fatty Acids


Fish like salmon and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids. Including these foods in your diet, helps to prevent blood clots. Flax seed and walnuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids


Regular exercise and moderate diet are also recommended. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and other foods with high fiber content. Foods rich in vitamin C are also very useful. Quitting smoking and reducing obesity are also very important. Drinking plenty of water is a must.


Other blood clot remedies are foods which are rich in salcylates like cinnamon, dill, turmeric, licorice and peppermint. Fruits rich in salcylates are oranges, strawberries, blueberries, grapes and raisins also help to prevent clots.