Having to Do With Bananas

I checked out a book from the library today. It's called: Random Kinds of Factness- 1001 (or so) Absolutely True Tidbits About (almost) Everything.
It's a pretty interesting book and it's completely full of random facts. And as you may know, I'm a sucker when it comes to random facts. (At least, ones that may be useful while watching Jeopardy or playing Trivial Pursuit.) So, as I was reading this nifty little book, I came across the song with the highest sales.
It's not 'Happy Birthday', 'The Star Spangled Banner' or 'Yesterday', It's 'Yes, We Have No Bananas' by Frank Silver and Irving Cohn.
I thought this was particularly odd, especially after I listened to it on YouTube and didn't find it at all pleasing. I'm surprised that 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls hadn't matched it up; or killed by a classic from the Beach Boys or the Beatles. But no, the banana freak song stole the show.
Then, I start thinking about the significance that bananas have played in civilization. I don't know what our particular species finds so appealing about bananas. We write songs about bananas, make lame banana jokes, slip on banana peels, and in some cases we eat the bananas. Even from the beginning we were hooked to this oddly-shaped yellow fruit: they've always been a monkey favorite.
What is it that makes us like bananas so much? Is it it's interesting shape? Bright color? Mushy taste? High potassium level? Or is it just the fun of peeling it? I don't think we'll ever know.
I Googled "Cool Banana Facts" and came up with a cool bunch of banana stuff. I find it very interesting, and I don't feel to weird because, well, we're all monkeys at heart!
First, a banana gives an instant, substantial boost of energy. Did you know that two bananas will sustain you for a 90-minute workout? Banana Power!!
Have you ever felt better after eating a banana? This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, which is known to make you fell happy and puts you in a better mood. No wonder the banana is in the shape of a smile!
Research shows (and we should all believe research. . .) that potassium packed fruits, such as bananas, can help improve brain power. Many students have proven this by eating three bananas a day to improve test performance.
Bananas have a natural antiacid effect, so eating a banana will help fight heartburn!
Banana peels soothe insect bites. (So they say. No guarantees, people!) It can also be used to cure warts!
When you compare a banana to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium!
Of course, I have to mention that Doctor Who is quite obsessed with bananas. If you watch "The Empty Child" and the other one I forgot the name of. . . (it has Madam de Pompodour in it from season two) both talk about bananas.
If you're a less sci-fi oriented person, then you should at least be familiar with this phrase:



"A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
(and it does a whole lot better job than the apple!)

Sources:

Random Kinds of Factness- 1001 (or so) Absolutely True Tidbits about (almost) everything by Erin Barrett and Jack Mingo

http://www.networkmalaysia.com/subtitle/articles_banana.htm
About Bananas taken from finetuneyou.com.