Bananas are a sweet, mushy fruit that is incredibly favored worldwide. However, their thick, fibrous peels are less well-liked as a food source, at least in Western nations. Banana peels, however, are not only safe to eat, in contrast to popular misconception, but they also provide a variety of health advantages.
So can you eat a banana peel? To know, read further.
Eating banana peels has health and environmental benefits in addition to nutritional ones. The most popular fresh fruit in America is the banana, and you may reduce the amount of food in landfills by eating the peels. Although banana peels don’t taste much like anything and don’t taste like bananas, when cooked, they take on a chewy, slightly meaty feel.
What is in the Banana Peel?
A banana peel consists primarily of water, with a tiny amount of protein and fat and around 60% of carbs and 30% of fiber. Although banana skin can be complex and even bitter due to its thickness and high fiber content, it is edible and rich in numerous nutrients, including potassium and manganese. Take a ripe banana that hasn’t been peeled, wash it, remove the ends, and slice it. Blend with 200 ccs of milk or yogurt and a dash of cinnamon.
According to Healthline, banana peel, which is high in antioxidants, fiber, and vital nutrients, helps brighten the skin and minimize wrinkles. Even better, it serves as a moisturizer and hydrates the skin. Banana peel also has anti-inflammatory qualities.
Can you Eat a Banana Peel?
Here are three recipe ideas that make great use of banana peels.
1. Simple Smoothie Recipe- Frozen bananas have a much sweeter flavor. A cup of water, orange juice, or oat milk can be added to the blender with a whole banana and its peel to make a nice smoothie quickly.
2. Vegan Carne Mechada- To make a tasty vegan substitute for pulled pork frequently consumed in Venezuela, boil, shred, and then saute banana peels.
3. Indian Chutney- Chutney is a delicious side dish that many South Indian cuisines have beside them. Approximately six banana peels should be soaked in cold water before being simmered in a mixture of spices to impress your friends with your culinary and sustainability abilities.
How to Prepare Banana Peel?
Banana peel can produce a deliciously healthy dessert or a healthy afternoon snack. If you use your imagination, you’ll quickly realize why cooks worldwide frequently leave the banana peels on.
The peel of a banana is more challenging and more bitter than the banana’s interior, which is soft and sweet. Your banana’s peel will be more precious and softer the riper it is. To get rid of any fertilizer or chemicals the fruit may have been sprayed with, it’s also crucial to carefully wash the peel.
There are several ways banana peel can be prepared to make it even more delicious:
- Blended into smoothies.
- Fried and caramelized to use as an ice cream topping.
- Baked with cinnamon and sugar.
- Boiled and eaten with a spoon.
- Made into banana vinegar and added to salads.
- Cooked with meat on top of it.
Are Banana Peels Poisonous?
Peels from bananas are not toxic. In actuality, they are nutrient-rich and edible. Although it’s not extremely popular in the West, eating banana peel is customary in many other parts of the world, according to Flores. It has significant concentrations of magnesium and potassium and vitamins B6 and B12. Banana peels can technically be eaten with pesticide residue still present. Banana peels are typically regarded as being unpalatable in the American diet. Not because the peels are poisonous per se, but because of taste and consistency.
Health Benefits of Banana Peel
Bananas and banana peels can provide different health advantages depending on their ripe. While riper, blackened bananas have been demonstrated to support white blood cells in their battle against disease and infection, underripe, green bananas may be more helpful in addressing stomach disorders.
Remember that many of these studies involved rats rather than people, so further analysis is required to discover whether bananas have the same effects on people.
The following are a few possible health advantages of banana peels:
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Relief Depression
With the B6 found in banana peels, bananas’ high tryptophan content might lessen some symptoms of depression and other mood disorders. As tryptophan degrades, serotonin is produced, which elevates your mood. Vitamin B6 can aid in enhancing sleep, positively affecting mood over time.
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Digestive Health
Banana peels’ high fiber content can aid in regulating the digestive tract and relieve diarrhea and constipation. For those with Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome, this is one of the most significant advantages of banana peels.
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Better Eyesight
Your eyes can remain healthy and robust with vitamin A. Bananas and banana peels contain large amounts of this vitamin.
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May Lower Cancer Risk
In banana peels, polyphenols, carotenoids, and other antioxidants help your body fight cancer-causing free radicals. More banana peel consumption, especially of the green, unripe variety, can boost antioxidant levels and lower cancer risk.
Banana peels have been studied for their anti-cancer qualities in test tubes rather than on humans. More research is required to determine whether banana peels can reduce a person’s risk of developing cancer.
Can you Boil Banana Peels and Drink them?
Making banana tea involves cooking a whole banana in hot water, taking it out, and sipping the remaining liquid. You can prepare it either way, depending on your tastes. It is typically referred to as banana peel tea if it is made with the peel. The banana pulp may not contain as many nutrients as the peel, which is notably richer in flavonoids and tannins. According to a study, it has 300 times as much dopamine as pulp, which may help muscles relax and recover more quickly. It also affects mood and is crucial for a regular sleep cycle.
What to do if your Dog Ate a Banana Peel?
Bananas have a flavor and texture that many dogs adore, and they may give dogs many healthy nutrients and minerals by eating this fruit. Bananas are a favorite snack to give to your dog because of this. The only portion of a banana your dog should consume is the soft interior; they should never drink the skin. Although the peel of a banana is not believed to be toxic, it can be harmful to your dog to digest due to its solid firmness.
The firmness and difficulty of a banana peel make it a choking hazard for your dog and can obstruct its digestive tract. It will be even riskier for your dog to eat the banana peel if they are smaller because it will be more challenging for them to eat, and they risk choking on the peel. The substance is challenging for the stomach’s acids to break down, so if your dog can eat the peel, it could result in a blockage in their gut. Constipation, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems might result from this. Due to this, you shouldn’t ever allow your dog to consume banana peels.
Is Banana Peel Toxic for Dogs?
Usually, a banana’s peel won’t be toxic for dogs, but because it’s so hard to digest, it won’t be safe for them to eat. A peel’s texture and consistency make it challenging for dogs to chew up and for their stomach acids to digest. When your dog tries to consume it, it may create a choking hazard or cause obstruction in its stomach. The banana peel might also have come into contact with anything poisonous, such as a pesticide, preservative, or dirt and grime. The substance has the potential to make your dog unwell. Giving your dog a banana peel is never advised for these reasons.
Ways to Use Banana Peel for Face
The best thing about bananas is that they are widely available. The fruit can be blended into a smoothie and the skin to create the ideal face pack. The usage of banana peels for the face is demonstrated here.
Banana Peel Mask
Use this face mask to eliminate those bothersome blemishes and dark patches. Rich in fatty acids, ripe banana peels can help lessen the visible scars and marks.
- Step 1 – Scrape the flesh from the banana peel and mix it with the yolk of one egg.
- Step 2 – Apply it to your face and neck, and leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
- Step 3 – Wash it off with warm water and pat dry. Top it off with a moisturizer to lock in the nourishment.
Banana Peel Spot Treatment
For a nourishing face, combine bananas with honey and lemon juice. This mask will relieve inflammation and irritation and prevent acne thanks to its high vitamin C, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, the banana balances sebum production.
- Step 1 – Mash the banana peel in a bowl with a teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice.
- Step 2 – Apply it to the inflamed or irritated area, and wait till it dries. Rinse it off and pat dry.
Banana Peel Scrub
In addition to making a delicious smoothie, bananas, oats, sugar, and milk also work well as a face mask to refresh tired skin. The banana peel’s vitamin C content aids in skin brightening, and oatmeal and sugar help remove dead skin cells.
- One tablespoon of milk, two tablespoons of sugar, two tablespoons of powdered oats, and one banana peel should be mashed in step 1. Blend continuously until thick, smooth paste forms.
- Step 2: Massage the mixture into your skin, then wait 30 minutes for it to dry. Ensure gently massage the mixture into your skin while you wash it off, then thoroughly rinse it.
Banana Peel Eye Mask
Banana peels, as previously established, are fantastic for removing puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. This inexpensive eye mask is ideal for solving this serious problem.
- Step 1 – Cut your banana peel into two small pieces and leave it in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- Step 2 – Remove it from the freezer and apply it to your under-eye area for another 20-30 minutes. Do this at least twice to thrice a week.
Conclusion
As a component of a balanced diet, banana peels can be consumed in various creative ways. In addition to preventing food waste, they can also provide a variety of crucial nutrients, such as fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Additionally, banana peels can improve the nutritional value of dishes like stir-fries, smoothies, and sandwiches while adding an intriguing touch.
