"Fruit of Paradise"

The banana is called 'Fruit of Paradise' by many nations, and indeed, the taste of a banana is sweet, exquisite, and pleasant to the palate. Bananas offer numerous advantages, making them a very high-quality food. Here are some examples of the different components that make the banana a particularly healthy fruit.

A. Potassium – Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, which is important for bone strength, heart health, maintaining normal blood pressure, and more. Those experiencing a significant decrease in kidney function should consult a doctor about how much potassium they should consume in their daily diet.

B. Bananas contain an amino acid called 'tryptophan', a precursor that becomes serotonin. Serotonin plays an important role in improving mood, enhancing sleep, appetite, and generally contributes to a sense of calm. It also helps prevent depression and more. Bananas also contain various B group vitamins, which together help to calm the nervous system.

C. Substances found in bananas help build the stomach lining that protects against excessive acidity, which could harm the stomach wall. Thus, bananas can also help in situations of heartburn.

D. The glycemic index (speed of blood sugar increase) of bananas is low, making them a suitable fruit for diabetics. However, diabetics and those with high blood fat levels are advised to consult a healthcare provider on this matter.

Nonetheless, bananas are among the fruits that cause mucus, and those suffering from runny nose or phlegmatic cough should avoid eating bananas or at least reduce their intake. Additionally, ensure the banana is eaten when fully ripe and not approximately.

Different ways to consume bananas: Bananas can be eaten as a fruit for a snack, as a satisfying and delicious natural snack. They can also be consumed as part of a fruit salad, and suitable fruits for combinations with banana include: apple, pear, dates, raisins, figs, unsweetened cranberries, avocado, mango, apricot, feijoa, papaya, cactus fruit. Cinnamon can be sprinkled on them. Such a salad can also include raw almonds and walnuts.

You can also take the various combinations and turn them into a refreshing fruit smoothie. However, it is recommended to drink them shortly after preparation.

In summer, it's possible to pour the smoothie into small cups and freeze them, resulting in tasty and healthy sorbet ice cream.

Eliyahu Shechter is an iridologist and natural therapist