Bananas are believed to be grown in over 100 countries throughout the tropics. Native to Southeast Asia, bananas were most likely first domesticated in Papua New Guinea. It is also one of the most inexpensive fresh foods in your grocery store, and who doesn't like that? But can a banana make you healthy and happy?

A banana-remedy for high blood pressure?

According to the American Heart Association, potassium supplements can be increasingly dangerous as people get older. Now medical studies done in England have revealed that food sources of potassium are an excellent way to fight high blood pressure without the side effects and risks of supplements. Potassium can be found in almost every fruit and vegetable but is higher in bananas. Don't believe a little old banana can help you? In a study done by St. George's Hospital Medical School in London, participants with high blood pressure ate 3,754 mg of potassium/day were able to lower their blood pressure to pre-hypertension levels after one week. Impressed?

A banana-a-day will make you smile.

A lack of vitamin B6 been linked to anxiety, stress and depression. "[B6] facilitates synthesis of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, which makes you feel calm and happy," says Hanjo Hellmann, Ph.D., a plant biologist at Washington State University. "But if you have a B6 deficiency, your brain may not be able to make enough dopamine." Women are more likely to be deficient. B6 is not stored well in any body, however, so eat foods high in B6 like bananas, potatoes, red meat - remember your portions - poultry and chickpeas regularly.

Remember, exercise is also a way to relieve hypertension. Massage is an effective treatment of anxiety, depression and sleepness. Imagine if you ate a banana before you got a massage?

Labels: banana, eating healthy, hypertension

Are you stressed out, down-trodden? Sometimes the best medicine for what ails us is simply doing a good thing. Borrow some inspiration, some fire, for your good acts from Al Pacino.

What will you do today? Rebuild your palace? If you need suggestions, check out the Daily Challenge, the Social Network for Do Gooders.

Labels: al pacino, best medicine, do a good thing, feel better