Thursday, February 16, 2012

Banana: Sex drive booster?


According to this HealthDesign Magazine article, the banana is among the five fruits that can augment sex drive and naturally treat impotence.

Here are the five fruits and their aphrodisiac attributes:


It is probably one of the most well known fruits for increasing your sex drive. Scientists found that drinking pomegranate juice can actually increase sex drive.  Such efficacy of the pomegranate is attributed to its ability to help the body produce (NO) or nitric oxide, which aids in opening up blood vessels and increasing blood flow.



The high levels of amino acids found in figs are also very effective at increasing libido in both males and females. Amino acids play a vital role in normal sexual function and will help increase levels of nitric oxide in the body.  Aside from increasing sexual stamina, figs enhance sexual appearance as well.



The avocado contains high levels of folic acid to help metabolize proteins giving you an energy boost.  Avocado contains vitamin B6 which help the production of testosterone. They are also known to benefit a women's libido due to the high potassium content.



They are packed with amino acids for sexual stamina, as well as a good dose of fruity sugars which make them sweet and an amazing pickup.



A great way to start the day, the bromelain enzyme in the banana will help boost your libido.   Also, it contains the highest levels of potassium that help regulate energy levels as well as B vitamins.


Two of the five -- banana and avocado -- are always available here in Bohol.  As for the other three, Boholanos might have to ferry it to Cebu, or fly out to Manila, to find some dates, figs and pomegranate at swanky supermarkets, or chichi charcuteries.

Since the banana is the most ubiquitous of the lot, here's more on its health benefits:

So often, the humble banana is often overlooked when it comes to providing nutritional and medicinal value. Bananas in fact have a lot to offer us, both nutritionally, as well as in relieving the symptoms of a myriad of physical complaints.

Bananas are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre. They also provide us with a source of energy. They contain a lot of iron, which is extremely helpful to those suffering from anaemia, as it stimulates the growth of haemoglobin in the body. 

They contain a lot of potassium; this helps to alleviate high blood pressure and prevent bone loss by countering the damage done by a diet high in sodium/salt. Potassium is also excellent for relieving menstrual cramps and is also excellent for fluid retention, making bananas a sure winner for women who suffer with these symptoms. It also helps minimize the risk of kidney stones. Vitamin B6 also helps to balance blood-glucose levels, thereby alleviating mood swings often associated with PMS.

Bananas are an excellent food source for those suffering with ulcers, as they lower gastric juice levels and build a protective coating in the stomach. Therefore, they are also excellent for helping to alleviate heartburn symptoms. Simply rubbing the inside of a banana skin on a mosquito bite can help to alleviate the itching and irritation caused by the bite. They are also known to alleviate morning sickness in pregnant women. They also contain pectin, which is known to alleviate constipation naturally.

Bananas contain tryptophan, serotonin and norepinephrine, which help alleviate depression and also help one to relax. The B vitamins found in them also help to calm and soothe the nervous system. Vitamin B6 also alleviates the symptoms of irritability and sleeplessness. They are a good first food to introduce to infants, as they are easily digestible and non-allergic.

Because of their sweet taste, bananas also help to curb cravings for sugar and other unhealthy sweet snacks. They are also helpful in preventing age-related macular degeneration and strokes. Even the peels serve a few useful purposes. They make an amazing fertilizer in the garden, especially for roses. Simply bury a few peels near the plant or bush, and they will normally cause the roses to thrive. Pimples are able to be dried out naturally by rubbing the inside of the banana peel on the affected spot on the skin.


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The prices at Dau Market in Tagbilaran for the lakatan variety of banana (as lead photo above) is 40 pesos per kilo, while the saba is 15 pesos per kilo.




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Food Trip Friday

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I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.
Thank you!

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19 comments:

  1. banana is probably the reason why we are over-populated! LOL we have bananas all the time because of my mom's high blood pressure, and it's my favorite snack when i'm on diet. what an amazing fruit, mura pa.:p

    in my family, ako lang yata ang di kumakain ng avocado. there was a huge avocado tree at my grandfather's backyard--i made it into a face mask.:p

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    1. That may seem funny ... but it may be true, too, Luna. I try to have some bananas around all the time. I love them. Avocados I rarely find around here. You're lucky!

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  2. I am not a big banana eater, but I do eat them for one reason: potassium.

    Hopping here from Food Trip Friday, my entry is posted here:
    Pan de Amerikana - Marikina

    Happy weekends!

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    1. Just like you, Jenn, I gor for the banana because of its rich potassiun content.

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  3. Okey so I have to write the figs, dates and promeganates in my grocery list hehe. Thanks for the tip ^_^

    YS

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  4. Hmmm... very informative, Tito Eric! I like it :-)
    As a kid with an avocado tree in our backyard, I hated its texture. After ages I tried it again here in NZ and now I'm loving it. Dito pinapalaman pa sya sa tinapay... yum ha!

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    1. Wala ako makitang mga avocado dito sa Bohol. Baka pana-panahon lamang yon dito. Palaman sa tinapay? Wow!

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  5. My 4 year old son is a big banana eater so we make sure may stock kami sa house every day. He eats at least 4 bananas a day!

    Blog hopping from Yummy Sunday! Have a great day!

    Nita

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    1. That's the healthiest snack especially for the kmids :)

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  6. Very informative :) Dropping by for YS.

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  7. I love banana so as my kids :-) even great for snacks too :-) Visiting late from Food Trip Friday, hope that you can return the visit too.

    http://www.adventurousjessy.com/2012/02/my-first-time-to-cook-chicken-wings.html

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    1. I always have some in the house because like you said, bananas make great snacks!

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  8. Banana is a delish fruit and very healthy too :-) Visiting late this time from Yummy Sunday, hope that you can return the visit too.

    http://www.tropical7107islands.com/2012/02/a-typical-filipino-breakfast.html

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  9. very informative and interesting post! thanks for sharing tito eric! visiting super late from YS, hope to see you around. thanks and have a great week. :)

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  10. thanks for sharing. ngayon ko lang narinig 'to :)

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