Bananas - Not Just for Monkeys Anymore!

Potassium rich bananas are a natural antacid. If you are getting leg cramps or having acid reflux problems, reach for a banana instead of medication.

A 9-inch banana has approximately 602 mg. of potassium and only 140 calories. You will also get 2 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber from that same banana. If you want more information on the entire nutritional breakdown, click here.

Bananas inhibit blood clots, which can help prevent a stroke.

Heart-protecting bananas can control and even lower your blood pressure.

If you or your child is coughing, why not eat a banana to quiet the cough instead of using medication? Have you ever heard a monkey cough?

Bananas also strengthen bones. If you think bananas are expensive you should find out what it costs to fix broken bones.

If you include bananas in your diet on a regular basis you will have all the above health benefits, plus, you won't get diarrhea.

Bananas can save you a lot of money on antacids, cough medicine, and trips to the doctor.

I know when my niece had Bell's Palsy we fed her bananas like they were going out of style and she got better fairly quickly.

According to banana.com, bananas can help a large variety of complaints such as anemia, blood pressure, brain power, constipation, depression, hangovers, heartburn, morning sickness, mosquito bites, nerves, overweight, PMS, seasonal affective disorder, smoking, stress, strokes, temperature control, ulcers, and even warts. Just go to this site for more details.

Half a banana is one serving. According to the DASH diet you need 4 - 5 servings of fruit and 4 - 5 servings of vegetables every day. Why not make a banana two of those servings a day?

You could use half a banana on your cereal in the morning and put the other half in the freezer for an evening popsicle-like treat. This way you won't have acid problems or get leg cramps when you go to bed.

Bananas have an interesting history. If you would like to know more about the history of bananas, please visit this site

For tips on purchasing and storing bananas go to this site.

There are many things you can make with bananas but everyone loves banana bread. I found a great recipe for banana bread here. But if you are lazy like me, just buy jiffy mix and make it with the jiffy mix recipe, it's a lot faster and easier.

My dad loves vanilla pudding with vanilla wafers and banana slices in it. Every holiday, he requests that we make it for him. Bananas are also great sliced up in chocolate pudding.

No matter how you slice them, bananas are a great way to stay healthy!