Got the Blues? Eat a Banana.
Hi Folks,
A recent article in Bottom Line/Personal ( Feeling Blue? Try Bananas -http://www.bottomlinepublications.com/content/article/diet-a-exercise/feeling-blue-try-bananas) reports that bananas help fight depression and mentions a couple other benefits such as fighting heartburn. So I thought I would look into this a bit further and pass the results along to you.
Well, I can tell you that there are a multitude of reports and study results out there on the healthy benefits of eating bananas. Most of the reports, articles and advice contain the same basic information and it all confirms that bananas are good for you and that they can help you fight depression.
Many seniors are plagued by the blues and many, many times it can be attributed to something lacking in their diet and/or lack of sunshine. Eating bananas can help.
The following article by Greg Johnson will fill you in on all the benefits of eating bananas and encourage you to keep a supply of this wonderful fruit on hand all of the time. Meanwhile I’m going out to the kitchen and fix myself a bowl of cereal – with a banana cut up on top of course.
Woody
Bananas a Cure For Depression?
By Greg R. Johnson
Bananas are an amazing fruit packed with vitamins and minerals. Surprisingly, the minerals and vitamins in bananas can help alleviate the symptoms of depression, everyday stress, anxiety and the winter blues.
Bananas alleviate the symptoms of depression partially because of the protein tryptophan. Tryptophan is converted by the body into serotonin. Serotonin is a protein Serotonin regulates metabolism and brain activity, and produces a relaxed state. Serotonin helps to promote stabilized moods, and is key to the bodies’ ability to regulate sleep. Adequate sleep is directly linked to better moods and lower levels of stress.
Bananas help to alleviate stress because they are high in B vitamins. B vitamins calm your nerves. For instance, a depletion of vitamin B6 can trigger depression in individuals not previously showing symptoms of depression. Therefore, a diet rich in B6 can assist in alleviating the symptoms of depression and possibly prevent the onset.
Bananas alleviate stress because a stressed body depletes its reserve of potassium rapidly, which in turn causes an increase in your body’s metabolic rate which depletes your bodies potassium much more rapidly than normal. The potassium rich bananas replenish the bodies’ potassium supply, which in turn normalizes the bodies’ metabolic-rate.
Ways bananas can help alleviate stress. If you are experiencing high stress levels try eating a banana in the morning. Chop it up. Mix it with some juice or pour some honey on it. Make this a peaceful time. Relax. Sit and meditate. Think happy and positive thoughts and establish a routine. The natural calming vitamins in bananas will help you through the day and bring your stress levels to normal.
Take bananas with you to work. Keep them around the house. When you feel depressed, eat one or even a small piece.
Take them for a month. Keep a logbook or a journal; track your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Record the progress of the aches and pains after the month reassess your condition. Are the aches and pains associated with depression or stress gone? Do you feel less anxious? Do you have more energy? Are you feeling better: Emotionally, physically and mentally?
About this Author
Greg Johnson was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder 15 years ago and suffered the consequences for his entire adult life. After years of failures, Greg finally achieved stability, happiness and a positive outlook on life. Read more about his journey to stability and tips and advice at: http://www.depressionhelpandinformation.info/
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