ZAMBIA grows a lot of bananas which also animals benefit form, wart hog was in the Eastern Province and saw a lot of bananas, one of the district known of bananas is Nyimba and Warthog ate nice local bananas.
It also came to mind to find out how rich this fruit is?
As for blood pressure maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure, however, increasing potassium intake may be just as important because of its vasodilation effects.
Also of note, a high potassium intake is associated with a 20 per cent decreased risk of dying from all causes.
As for Asthma a study conducted by the Imperial College of London found that children who ate just one banana per day had a 34 per cent less chance of developing asthma.
Consuming bananas, oranges and orange juice in the first two years of life may reduce the risk of developing childhood leukemia.
As a good source of vitamin C, bananas can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer.
High fiber intakes from fruits and vegetables like bananas are associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer.
As for heart health the fiber, potassium, vitamin C and B6 content in bananas all support heart health.
An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
In one study, those who consumed 4,069 mg of potassium per day had a 49 per cent lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared with those who consumed less potassium (about 1000 mg per day).
High potassium intakes are also associated with a reduced risk of stroke,  protection against loss of muscle mass, preservation of bone mineral density and reduction in the formation of kidney stones.
While for diabetes studies have shown that type one diabetics who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels and type two diabetics may have improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels.
One medium banana provides about three grams of fiber.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 21-25 g/day for women and 30-38 g/day for men.
Treating diarrheoa it is bland foods such as apple sauce and bananas are recommended for diarrhoea treatment.
Electrolytes like potassium are lost in large quantities during bouts of diarrhoea and may make those affected feel weak. Bananas can help to promote regularity and replenish potassium stores.
Preserving memory and boosting mood Bananas also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that studies suggest plays a role in preserving memory and boosting your mood.
Natural cures from a Simple Banana or Medicinal Qualities from bananas are as highly nutritious fruit, but do they have any medicinal properties beyond their nutritive value.
While it may come as a surprise to those of us accustomed to using bananas for baking and banana splits and little else, every part of the banana plant has medicinal properties.
*Eating bananas will help prevent kidney cancer, protects the eyes against macular degeneration and builds strong bones by increasing calcium absorption.
*Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you more alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels of potassium.
*Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing protection from free radicals and chronic disease.
*Eating a banana between meals helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea from morning sickness.
*Rub a bug bite or hives with the inside of the banana peel to relieve itching and irritation.
*Control blood sugar and avoid binging between meals by eating a banana.
*Eating a banana can lower the body temperature and cool you during a fever or on a hot day.
*The natural mood-enhancer tryptophan helps to relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
*Quitting smoking? Bananas contain high levels of B-vitamins as well as potassium and magnesium to speed recovery from the effects of withdrawal.
*Remove a wart by placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against the wart and taping it in place.
*Rub the inside of a banana peel on your leather shoes or handbag and polish with a dry cloth for a quick shine.
*Flowers: Used to treat dysentery, ulcers, and bronchitis. Cooked, flowers are considered a good food for diabetics.
*Sap: Chemically, banana sap has astringent qualities. In traditional medicine, the sap is used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including leprosy, hysteria, fever, digestive disorders, hemorrhage, epilepsy, hemorrhoids, and insect bites.
*Roots and Seeds: Treat digestive disorders.
*Peel and Pulp: Scientifically shown to have both antifungal and antibiotic components. These structures have also been identified as containing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.
Wildlife & Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia
P.O. Box 30255, Lusaka, Zambia.
Telefax: 260-211-251630,
Cell: 0977-780770
E-mail: wecsz@coppernet.zm