Each year, people consume 100 billion bananas worldwide. Besides, the banana flower is famous as a traditional remedy for menstrual cramps and helps control weight.
Not only the fruits but all the parts of the plant are full of goodness and are one of the most inexpensive fruits you can eat fresh.
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Top 6 Benefits of Banana Plant
The regions, including Asia, Latin America and Africa, primarily India and China, cultivate and produce bananas.
Mostly, people consume banana fruit to make their belly full, but several other advantages are packed in an entire banana plant.
1. Offers Consumable Parts
Banana falls under one of those plants whose all parts are edible and holds great taste along with well-being.
| Banana Parts | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Banana fruit is known as a brain tonic that contains rich potassium to make consumers alert. Banana fruits contain high dietary fiber, carbohydrates, Manganese, vitamin C and vitamin B6 with antioxidants and photoproteins. |
| Musa Flowers | Banana flowers are mixed in salads or steamed, fried, and cooked in curries and soups. The flower is bitter, but the taste changes once you soak them in lemon juice. The flowers are rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, protein, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, potassium, and magnesium. |
| Banana Stems | The fiber-rich stems are also used for curries, salads, and soups, adding health benefits to the taste. The stems are a good source of Potassium and vitamin B6. Juices of the stem prevent the formation of kidney stones and relieve Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). When you drink lime juice, it flushes toxins from the body. |
| Banana Peels | They contain phytochemicals like polyphenols and carotenoids, contributing toward therapeutic effects. Unripe banana peels have more antioxidant potency than ripe and leaky peels. Eat banana peels by boiling or blending them with other fruits. |
The major food products in the market include cakes, desserts, and drinks made from banana pulp.
Raw bananas are important in making snacks and cuisines like banana chips, banana momo, banana curry, etc.
Also, you can search for other products like gluten-free banana flour, pickles, candies, beer, juices, jams, beers, etc.
2. Medicinal Uses
Besides being belly fuller, a banana contains medicinal properties and wonders for our bodies.
Don’t stray away from pharmaceutical usages enlisted below!
- Probiotics present in banana help absorb calcium consume to improve bone health.
- Bananas aid in bowel movements like constipation and diarrhea as they contain fiber and mild laxative properties for your gut.
- Banana helps to decrease the risk of Kidney Cancer.
- Including medium-size bananas daily in your diet reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
- A low sodium diet in our daily dose help to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, and a banana is one of them.
- The high amount of iron in bananas helps increase the hemoglobin count in the blood and thus is very good for anemia.
- Bananas are good for depression due to high levels of tryptophan, converted to serotonin protein.
- Bananas can help to neutralize acidity and aids in beating gastrointestinal issues such as stomach ulcers.
- Rich in antioxidants and fibers, banana flowers help to treat diabetes and maintain cell health.
3. Fibers to Manufacture Textiles
Fiber materials in banana plants come from the stalk or trunk portion, known as pseudostem.
Banana fabric is a great vegan alternative to silk fabric as it has the properties of silk.
The silky threads from the outer sheath of the pseudostem are used to make handicrafts like baskets, wall hangings, bags, and mobile phone covers.
In addition, other uses of banana fibers include making sanitary pads, currency, ropes, biopesticides, and organic fertilizer.
4. Banana Leaves are Natural Platters
The large, slender, broad, and greenish banana leaves are natural and hygienic platters to serve meals.
Banana leaves have a wax coating that adds a subtle flavor to the hot food, boiled and served by wrapping on the leaf.
Moreover, banana leaves have antibacterial properties that can kill germs in the food and aids proper digestion.
The leaves contain polyphenols, a natural antioxidant and an enzyme that helps treat Parkinson’s disease.
5. Religious Importance
A banana is a holy tree in the auspicious events of Hindu, Thai, and other countries’ festivals, marriages, and other ceremonies.
Most people in Hindu culture believe the Banana tree to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Additionally, the Banana plant represents growth, prosperity, and purity.
Besides, they hold great importance in the ancient Buddhist Pali text, Greek mythology, Chinese literature, and Hindu scriptures.
Traditional Fact! In Thailand, people believe that a spirit, Nang Tani, a ghost related to trees, inhabits a certain banana plant. So people tie a satin cloth around the pseudostems of the banana plants.
6. Great for the Skin and Hair
The humble banana fruit helps to nourish and revitalize dry skin, control acne and smooths rough and aging skin.
Banana parts include potassium, vitamin B-6, vitamin C, and Manganese.
DIY banana masks are popular recipes for a variety of skin issues.
Mashing a ripe banana and applying it on the face helps to moisturize and nourish tired and dry skin. It also helps to lighten dark spots.
Also, using a face mask with mashed banana, honey, and turmeric helps to reduce acne and brighten, nourish and exfoliate your skin.
In addition to the skin, a banana is also great for the hair and scalp.
Applying the banana mask to hair or using banana hair products helps soften the hair, prevent split ends, maintain shine, increase growth, and control dandruff.
Health Considerations to Keep in Mind
Banana has nothing to be afraid of regarding the health of pets.
But health considerations are still necessary for humans. Avoid eating bananas if you have a high potassium level in the blood and any kidney diseases.
People with allergies to aged cheese like blue cheese and parmesan should not consume banana peels as they contain Tyramine.
Anyone experiencing itching, hives, swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing should seek medical help.
Also, an allergic reaction can lead a person to anaphylaxis. Particularly, patients with a latex allergy can experience a reaction to bananas.
Besides, bananas may also trigger migraines in some people.
Take help from the helplines below if severe conditions happen!
- Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at 888-426-4435 for pets
- Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 for humans
Where to Buy?
Here are some commercial sites to buy banana plants and seeds to grow in the garden or indoors.
| Stores to Buy | Shipping Time |
|---|---|
| Amazon | 1-3 days |
| Brighter Blooms | 1-2 days |
| Etsy | 3-4 days |
| Walmart | 3 days |
Wrapping Up…
After learning the benefits, you may be eager to start consuming bananas.
So, add slices of banana fruit to your morning grains, including cereal or oatmeal, if you need a nutritious breakfast.
You can also eat mashed bananas by adding muffins, cookies, and cakes.
Learn about the benefits of Coconut Palm, Rosemary Plant, Garlic Herb, and Croton Plant.
