Behold this simple, yet delicious snack or breakfast option that is also a great remedy for relieving muscle cramps:
Of course you can take minerals, like magnesium, to relieve chronic or acute muscle cramping, but let me tell you why this delicious snack may also be very effective at relieving muscle cramps. And while you may have heard that magnesium is nature’s muscle relaxant, did you know that potassium works in concert with magnesium?
Bananas are one of those foods that contain high amounts of both minerals – 27 mg magnesium and 348 mg potassium in a medium banana. Bananas also contain high levels of B vitamins, many of which balance the nervous system. Your nervous system includes alpha motor neurons – the nerves that project from the spinal cord to skeletal muscle fibers. And these nerves signal to your muscles, whether to contract or relax.
Many swear by raw honey as a cramp reliever – my 84 year old father will keep a jar by his bed in case he wakes up with leg cramps or restless legs, he says a spoonful settles everything down. Perhaps honey is one of those substances that activates the TRP channels; thus signaling motor neurons to relax.
Almonds are also high in magnesium, potassium and calcium. 100 g of almonds contain 269 mg of calcium, 733 mg of potassium and 270 mg of magnesium.
Cinnamon is optional, but keep in mind it’s very helpful for regulating insulin/blood sugar and super tasty too!
Directions:
- Your choice of toast, flatbread, or crackers
- Spread with butter or ghee (good fats) and almond butter – or your choice of nut butter, you can check the mineral content of nuts at: freenutritionfacts.com
- Peel and slice 1 medium banana, slice thick enough to use the entire banana
- Drizzle with raw honey – use Manuka honey if you’d like an extra immune system boost
- Sprinkle generously with organic cinnamon powder
Enjoy this easy, highly nutritious and delicious food-remedy for muscle cramps. I hope it works as well for you as it does for me!
Jini Patel Thompson is an internationally recognized expert on natural healing for digestive diseases. She healed herself from widespread Crohn’s Disease and has remained drug and surgery-free for over 25 years. Jini has appeared on numerous podcast, TV, and radio shows throughout the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, giving people hope and vision for how they can heal their Colitis, Crohn’s, Diverticulitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), using entirely natural methods. Her books on natural healing for digestive diseases have sold worldwide in over 80 countries.
