ABOUT FRUIT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6362, 17 December 1898, Page 3

ABOUT FRUIT.

Bananas are very easy of digestion,, but .should never be eaten whan over-ripe ; nor, indeed, should any fruit. It is s:iid that the banana contains just what is needed to replace the waste in the body which is forever going on, just as a fire wants keeping up with fuel. Most people are familiar with the sight of the bunches of bananas as they hang in the fruiterers' shops, but it is very rarely that a chance is afforded of seeing a bunch in its full size. Such a one will weigh from ninety to a hundred pounds, and consists of eight " hands," in each of wliicn are ten bananas— smaller ones will have but six or seven in place of ten. These clusters branch out from the stem, which ranges from fifteen to twenty feet high ; and the leaves are immense, averaging eight to ten feet in length, and eighteen, inches to two feet broad. Their leaves also branch out from tha stem, which they seem to enfold. The date is another most nourishing fruit, though, unlike tha banana, it. does not in itself .supply all Uk- elements for human sustenance.. . Still, bread and dates afford ampb nutriment in some climates, and where this fruit grows • naturally it forms one of th& iram supports of life. The date contains a very- large proportion of sugar, as a.lso (though not to the same ext>?nt) do figs The latter exercise a ■ certain laxative effect, ' which makes them of special value sometimes as an article of diet. By the way, it may be noted, in passing, that date stones, if planted in pots, in good soil intermixed with sand, will grow into pretty plants for table decoration about seven or eight inches high. Grapes likewise contain a considerable proportion of &ug.ir, and on this account are fattening, and lvartirularlyiourishang, more especially, the black ones. No wonder this fruit is so highly, valued and so often recommended for invalids ; for, while it allays thirst and gives such grateful refreshment, it helps the sufferer also by affording a- little light digestible nutriment.,. Of. course, it is understood that this remark does not apply to the skins ; these should hs<ver be eaten, nor the pips swallowed.. • One ether remarkable fact should beriot:d by women about grapes! It is said that ii partaken of regularly and abundantly, they haver the effect of producing a fine figure, increasing the fulness of the bust quite per-

cepfcibly. This has been proved to ta correct, and perhaps one of the most convincing proofs of the value of grap&s as food was given by one of our cleverest medical men — one of Royalty's doctors — who said that whe-n pressure of business engagements kept ham goipg abaut from, place to place withouttime, for getting his proper . luncheon, he i always took some grapes or raisins with him, and with a glass of milk at a dairy he found lie had sufficient nourishment to keep him going for hours. He considered it a far safer plan to take light food like this until he could spare time to. take leisurely what the Americans term a " square " m£al. A heavy ! meal eaten in a, hurry does more harm than good. In addition to their nutritive quality, grapes are said to have a stimulating effect on the kidneys. Apples and pears do not contain any large amount of svgar — apples average about half i as much as grapes — but they are rich in what arc called ihs force or energy-producing elements, and. apples {-specially are said to be ! an excellent article of diet for those who work with their brain. . They supply positive brain food. Sufferers from indigestion in certain forms have found that by eating apples in considerable proportion with their meals they have gained in health, and also in weight. This latter fact is quite easily understood, because, if properly digested, food, of course, does much more good ihau otherwise. Promiscuous eating of fruit at any time and season is not to be recommended. The stomach needs an occasional rest ; but with msaJs more fruit should be eaten than is ordina.rily the case. Oranges cannot be regarded as supplying nourishment, but they are nevertheless valuable. They have a healthy action on the liver, and orK> taken first thing in the moming all the year round has kept a person in health who' befor:.time was subject to frequent attacks of "liver out of order." Oranges are now imported to such an extent that it is not so difficult as it at first would seem to get them all the year round. As to lemons, their virtues axe manifold. In the spring a lemon taken first thing in the morning while fasting effectually takes the place of the ordinary dose of spring medicinei. Lemon juice is al>r excellent in , cases of rheumatism, and sufferers from sick headaches might of ton ward off an attack if they would, at'" the. first symptoms of ifc, squeeze tfe juice of naif of a lemon into a cup of black coffee, ai.d take it without sugar. Then lemon juice and fine white sugar mixed together quite thick will relievo a cough, and do good to a relaxed throat. Another way in which lemon juice is good for a cough is when mixed with equal quantities of glycerine aiid brandy. Then, again, a lemon rubbed over a part affected -with neuralgic pains will sometimes give relief ; while ths juice of half a lemon in a tumbler of warm water will act as an appetiser. Lemon juice is also a preventive of worms, and it is well known how lemons eaten freely will prevent and a.lso cure sr urvy and kindrsd skin complaints.