1 Bananas don't grow on trees. Although we use the term banana "tree", it is a perennial herb, according to website homecooking.about.com. Its trunk is not a true one, but many leaves wrapped tightly around a single stem which emerges at the top as the fruit-bearing flower stalk.

2 Some banana trees can continue producing fruit for up to 100 years, although most banana plantations renew their stock every 10 to 20 years.

3 The banana is botanically classified as a berry and is from the same family as ginger, turmeric and cardamom.

4 There are over 400 varieties of bananas around the world and it is the world's best-selling fruit, outranking the apple and orange.

5 Bananas are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber, and contain no fat, cholesterol or sodium, according to the International Banana Assocition (website: eatmorebananas.com).

6 They also contain a rich supply of vitamin B6, providing 20 per cent of the Recommended Daily Allowance of B6. Vitamin B6 helps in protein metabolism, red blood cell formation and the functioning of the central nervous system.

7 Bananas contain more digestible carbohydrates than any other fruit. The advantage is that the body burns off calories from carbohydrates more quickly and easily than calories from protein or fat.

8 Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose - which can give you an instant energy boost.

9 A banana makes a good after-workout snack because it helps to replenish necessary carbohydrates, glycogen and body fluids depleted during exercise.

10 Research has proved that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

1 Bananas don't grow on trees. Although we use the term banana "tree", it is a perennial herb, according to website homecooking.about.com. Its trunk is not a true one, but many leaves wrapped tightly around a single stem which emerges at the top as the fruit-bearing flower stalk.

2 Some banana trees can continue producing fruit for up to 100 years, although most banana plantations renew their stock every 10 to 20 years.

3 The banana is botanically classified as a berry and is from the same family as ginger, turmeric and cardamom.

4 There are over 400 varieties of bananas around the world and it is the world's best-selling fruit, outranking the apple and orange.

5 Bananas are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber, and contain no fat, cholesterol or sodium, according to the International Banana Assocition (website: eatmorebananas.com).

6 They also contain a rich supply of vitamin B6, providing 20 per cent of the Recommended Daily Allowance of B6. Vitamin B6 helps in protein metabolism, red blood cell formation and the functioning of the central nervous system.

7 Bananas contain more digestible carbohydrates than any other fruit. The advantage is that the body burns off calories from carbohydrates more quickly and easily than calories from protein or fat.

8 Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose - which can give you an instant energy boost.

9 A banana makes a good after-workout snack because it helps to replenish necessary carbohydrates, glycogen and body fluids depleted during exercise.

10 Research has proved that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.