18 August 2003

RUNNERS DO IT WITH BANANAS!

Bananas are the favourite pre-run snack forrunners, according to a survey of over 1,000 people from all over the UK whoare taking part in the BUPA Great North Run in Newcastle on Sunday 21September. A whopping 56 per cent choose bananas ahead of pasta (22 per cent),porridge (10 per cent), a chocolate bar (7 per cent), an apple (5 per cent), orindeed a full English breakfast (1 per cent).

Bananas are a very good choice forrunners.  They provide a great source of vitamins and minerals and theycontain less than half a gram of fat per 100g, whereas a chocolate bar has30.7g, said BUPAs Dr Annabel Bentley.

Bananas are good sources of carbohydrates,vitamin B, potassium and trytophan.  As well as being a tasty, low-fattreat, bananas have lots of health benefits:
Vitamin B People need B vitamins inorder to process energy from their food.  B vitamins dissolve in waterand are lost through the body in sweat and urine.  Its important forpeople to get a good regular supply in their diet and bananas are rich invitamin B6.
Potassium Potassium may counter the effects of sodium on the body, acting tolower blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing a stroke. Bananas areespecially rich in potassium.
Tryptophan The feel-good hormoneserotonin is manufactured in the body from foods that contain the amino acidtrytophan. Bananas are a good low-fat source of trytophan.

Bananas are a great snack before and after arun.  They contain lots of essential nutrients and carbohydrates whichgive runners energy.  The benefits of eating a balanced diet, including awide range of fruit and vegetables, are well established.  In thelong-term eating plenty of fruit and vegetables is known to reduce the risk ofcancer and heart disease, as promoted by the Department of Healths recentFive a Day campaign, said BUPAs Dr Annabel Bentley.

- Ends-

BUPAs banana smoothie recipe
A banana smoothie recipe can be found below for runners to make before or aftertheir running sessions.
1 banana
2 fruit choices from the following:peach, nectarine, raspberries, strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, mango, papaya, pear
125g carton of fromage frais
Freshly squeezed orange juice.

Liquidise together the chopped banana, twoother fruits and fromage frais.  Add orange juice as needed for desiredconsistency.