YUMMY BANANAS: HEALTH BENEFITS OF BANANAS

Bananas are widely known around the world. In Nigeria, it is probably the most sold fruit, as you can find banana hawkers everywhere. Bananas, I believe are also one of the most affordable fruits. I remember those days when we went on road trips, we usually bought bananas and groundnuts to munch on the way (delicious combo, I must say for those who have not tried it). Bananas are really good for suppressing hunger which is probably why many weight-watchers include a banana to their diet.

Cardiovascular Benefits: Having a banana at breakfast every day adds a nutrient to your body to support normal heart function. Bananas are a good source of potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure, countering bad effects of sodium. In addition to its cardiovascular benefits, the potassium found in bananas also helps to promote bone health.

Energy: Bananas are high calorie fruits. It is composed of soft, easily digestible fibers with simple sugars like fructose and sucrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly. Research shows that bananas are used by athletes to get instant energy.

Digestion: Bananas have an antacid effect and are said to protect against stomach ulcers. Bananas contain pectin, a soluble fiber (called a hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract and ease constipation.

Healthy Eyes: Bananas have a small amount of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that is vital for protecting your eyes and normal vision. Vitamin A compounds preserve the membranes that surround your eyes and are a component of one of the proteins that brings light into your cornea. Adequate daily vitamin A intake also lessens your risk of night blindness and is essential for everyday vision.

Moderate Source of Vitamin C: Bananas are a moderate source of vitamin-C. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen-free radicals.

Antioxidants: Bananas are a good source of carotenoids which are antioxidants and have a protective effect against chronic disease condition. They also have a high content of antioxidant phenolic compounds.

Bananas can be enjoyed in many ways. You can eat it alone, add it to a fruit salad, to a bowl of cereal, make a smoothie, banana milkshake, banana pudding, etc.

NUTRITIONAL/HEALTH BENEFITS OF PLANTAINS

P lantains are widely eaten in West Africa. Plantains are similar to bananas but larger in size. While bananas are termed fruits, plantains are vegetables. Bananas are mostly eating raw, while plantains are usually cooked before consumption. Plantains can be eaten unripe, ripen or over-ripe. When unripe, plantains are usually green in colour, when ripen, they turn yellow. In Nigeria, for example, unripe plantains are usually used to cook plantain porridge, ripe plantains are mostly fried and used as a supplement to main dishes like rice and beans. Over-ripe plantains are used to make snacks like plantain fritters.

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF ZOBO/SORREL DRINK

z obo/sorrel was a must have during family gatherings. As children, we loved drinking it, not only because of how nice it tasted, but also because it coloured our lips and tongues red. Zobo (Nigerian) or Sorrel (Jamaican) is a red coloured drink made from a flower called Hibiscus sabdariffa. The sorrel plant contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, calcium, niacin, riboflavin and a group of compounds called flavonoids. Flavanoids not only gives the sorrel plant its deep red colour, but, are also rich in antioxidants which rids the body of toxins. The sorrel plant also contains nutraceleuticals, which are said to be helpful to the health. Nutraceleuticals can help prevent and treat several diseases including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF LIME AND HONEY

L ime and Honey are two must haves in my house. I use honey as a substitute for white sugar. I remember a friend of mine visited me once and she wanted to drink garri (drinking garri is local to Nigerians, i.e. eating dried cassava with cold water as opposed to hot water), she was astonished when I told her to use honey to sweeten her garri. I'm not a tea person, but my parents are, and a cup of tea for them is not complete without limes.

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