Article: Japanese go bananas over latest fad diet; Bananas are flying off the shelves in Japan as a banana-based diet captures the public's fancy. Minnesota nutritionists share their thoughts on the mighty -- but not quite miraculous -- fruit.(VARIETY)

Byline: SARAH MORAN

Special to the Star Tribune

"Yes, we have no bananas, we have no bananas today."

The lyrics play in the background as the YouTube video pans across bare shelves that used to display bananas in Japan's grocery stores. Some days there really are no bananas -- demand has skyrocketed, thanks to "The Morning Banana Diet." In the past few months, banana sales in Japan have increased 40 percent, though so far there has been no significant increase in banana demand in other countries.

The diet, developed in Japan, is relatively simple. For breakfast, eat a raw banana (or bananas) and sip lukewarm water. Eat a normal lunch ...

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