THE HEALING EFFECTS OF PETAI

Petai contain three natural sugars -sucrose,
fructose and glucose - combined with fiber,
petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial
boost of energy. Research has proved that just
two servings of petai provide enough energy for
a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder petai is
the number one fruit with the world's leading
athletes.

But energy isn't the only way petai 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 our daily diet.

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

PMS(premenstrual syndrome)
Forget the pills - eat petai. The vitamin B6 it
contains regulates blood glucose levels, which
can affect your mood.

Anemia:
High in iron, petai can stimulate the production
of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases
of anemia.

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

Brain Power :
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school
were helped through their exams this year by eating
petai at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to
boost their brain power. Research has shown that
the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by
making pupils more alert.

Constipation :
High in fiber, including petai in the diet can
help restore normal bowel action, helping to
overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to
make a petai milkshake, sweetened with honey.
The petai calms the stomach and, with the help of
the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels,
while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so
if you suffer from heartburn, try eating petai for
soothing relief.

Morning Sickness:
Snacking on petai between meals helps to keep blood
sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try
rubbing the affected area with the inside of the
petai skin. Many people find it amazingly successful
at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Petai is high in B vitamins that help calm the
nervous system.

Overweight
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria
found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort
food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000
hospital patients, researchers found the most obese
were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs.
The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced
food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar
levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every
two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
Petai 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-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes
over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the
lining of the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see petai as a "cooling" fruit
that can lower both the physical and emotional
temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand,
for example, pregnant women eat petai to ensure
their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) :
Petai can help SAD sufferers because they contain
the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Smoking:
Petai can also help people trying to give up smoking.
The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium
and magnesium found in them, help the body recover
from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

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, thereby reducing our potassium
levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a
high-potassium petai snack.

Strokes:
According to research in 'The New England Journal
of Medicine': "eating petai as part of a regular diet
can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as
40%".

Warts:
Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if
you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of petai
and place it on the wart. Carefully hold the petai
in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
So, you see, petai really is a natural remedy for
many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has
four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates,
three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A
and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.
It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best
value foods around. So maybe its time to change
that well-known phrase so that we say, "A Petai a
day keeps the doctor away".