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Instead of an apple a day... If you want a quick fix for flagging energy levels there's no better snack than a banana. Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose - combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90 minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions making it a must to add to your daily diet.

Anemia: abundant in iron, bananas lead to the increase of hemoglobin in the blood and which assists in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium but very low in salt, making it the perfect food for helping to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Constipation: Due to it's high content in fiber, bananas will help to balance normal bowel motions, avoiding the use of laxatives to overcome this problem.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain trypotophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

Hangovers: One of the most proven ways of getting rid of a hangover is by taking a banana milkshake mixed with honey. The banana calms the stomach and rebuilds our depleted blood sugar levels with the help of the added honey. If you are prone to heart-burn, try eating a banana for great relief as it also has a natural antacid effect in the body.

Nerves: The banana is extremely rich in Vitamin B which helps to calm down the nervous system.

PMS: Eat a banana instead of taking a pill. The B6 vitamin content will help to regulate the levels of blood glucose, which can affect your mood.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronic ulcer cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Smoking: Bananas contain very high levels of Vitamin C, A1, B6, and B12 and if you combine this with the also present potassium and magnesium, our body is given relief from effects of nicotine withdrawal. A great help indeed for helping people to kick the nasty habit.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water-balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, there by reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack. According to 'The New England Journal of Medicine' research in eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40 %!

So let's look back and recap on the differences between a banana and an apple. The banana is a tonic in its own field and compared to an apple, it has 4 times as much protein, 5 times the iron and vitamin A, 3 times the phosphorus and twice as much in other vitamins and minerals as well as potassium. Its great value food product and we shouldn't forget it in our daily diet. So remember... "A Banana a day keeps the doctor at bay!