A good cry can deliver health benefits

In the film “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) takes a vacation to get over his recent breakup. But his ex and her new boyfriend turn out to be staying in his hotel. The discovery shatters him, and he ends up sobbing on his balcony.

Being a crier may sound embarrassing, but science shows that he was getting healthy, on several levels.

■ Research indicates that crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system, or your “rest and digest” state. That’s also equivalent to a meditation response to stress — good for the cardiovascular system and the spirit.

■ Tears that express emotion contain beneficial chemicals and help eliminate toxins from your body.

■ Crying stimulates release of oxytocin, a chemical associated with comforting and happiness.

■ It is thought that crying releases opioids in the brain, which helps reduce pain.

■ In the blink of an eye, you’ll be transferring oxygen, moisture, nutrients and antibodies that fight infection to your cornea.

■ It helps rally support from those around you when you’re down.

Potassium for the heart

If you were shopping in a grocery store in the 1940s, you wouldn’t recognize the bananas in the produce section. The Gros Michel species was shorter and stubbier than today’s version. That banana was wiped out by the TR-1 (Tropical Race1) fungus. The Cavendish bananas we eat today are resistant to TR-1.

Now a new fungus, TR-4, resistant to all fungicides, is threatening Cavendish bananas, and the race is on for a resistant replacement.

We don’t just hope bananas stick around for their great texture and flavor; they’re also a great source of potassium, and mounting evidence shows how important potassium is for heart health.

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that potassium-rich foods could help protect against atherosclerosis. The study showed that animals with lower dietary potassium were more likely to experience hardening of their arteries. In addition, previous research found that increased potassium levels and lower sodium levels reduce the risk of heart disease. Plus, a deficiency can trigger an irregular heartbeat and boost your blood pressure.

So make sure you’re getting enough potassium in your diet: Adolescents and adults should aim for 4,700 mg daily. Not a fan of the banana? Try salmon, beans and/or a baked potato.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.