Is a banana peel edible or poisonous? [Nutrition and health risk]

After eating a banana. Banana peel has only one job. Guess what? To slip someone.

Do you also think that? It’s not wrong to think like that. I also thought that when my friend asked me about the benefits of banana peels. I didn’t know banana peel is edible or not? Even I thought banana peel is poisonous for humans. But I was dead wrong.

Then I did research and made a delicious recipe. Finally, I wanted to tell you that some elements considered as waste could actually be real treasures. Here I will tell you why you should put the banana peel on the plate rather than in the trash? I will reveal all its secrets here!

Nutritional Value of Banana Peel

In the USA, People hardly eat banana peels, but in other parts of the world, people consume banana peels almost regularly (e.g.  India). The banana peel actually contains many nutrients that can be beneficial to our body and plant. So, you can eat the peels or use them as organic garden fertilizer.

  • Banana peel is very rich in soluble fiber, which very useful for our body when ingested. Because they can facilitate the process of digestion and feed the bacterial flora present in our intestine.
  • Another element that we can find in banana skin is tryptophan; an amino acid that helps to produce more serotonin (a hormone that stimulates a good mood and helps make us happier).
  • It is rich in potassium and Magnesium.

Potassium plays a role in our cells, promotes the transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction. It also helps the proper functioning of the kidney.

Magnesium is a well-known anti-stress and anti-fatigue! It protects the heart, cares our muscles and plays a vital role in the functioning of the body by participating in more than 300 metabolic reactions! It is also good for the human brain and the assimilation of calcium and vitamin C.

  • Banana peel contains significant amounts of vitamin B6vitamin B12, and vitamin

Vitamin B6 is essential for the formation of red blood cells and to make important hormones such as serotonin or dopamine that helps the immune system.

Vitamin B12 essential for a nervous system. It also helps to metabolize carbohydrates and lipids. It is excellent for the good development of the fetus in pregnant women.

Vitamin C is very useful for strengthening bones, cartilage, muscles, and the immune system. Vitamin C also acts as an effective antioxidant, protecting cells from free radicals.

Banana Peel Health Benefits [8 Reasons to Eat]

Nutritional Value of Banana Peel

Are you a smoothie lover? Do you add bananas in your smoothie regularly? Then you can add banana peel in your smoothie (just remove the stem). Why should you add banana peel?

Here are 8 reasons why you should eat banana peel: 

  1. Protect Your Eyes

Banana peels contain vitamin A and lutein, which contribute to healthy eyes, help protect against cataracts and macular degeneration.

  1. Improve Your Mood

Banana peel contains tryptophan and serotonin, these substances are known to improve mood. Tryptophan and serotonin levels are higher as the banana.

  1. Prevent Heart Diseases

You already know banana peels are extremely rich in potassium, which works with sodium to balance fluid and electrolyte levels in your body, regulate your heart rate, and protect you against heart disease.

  1. Make Your Teeth Whiter

The potassium in the banana peel can help keep your teeth white.

  1. They Are Rich in Antioxidants

Banana peels contain a high concentration of phytochemicals such as polyphenols and carotenoids, antioxidants that help to prevent cancer.

  1. Banana Peel for Weight Loss

Banana peels are very rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, which can slow digestion and increase the feeling of satiety. Fiber can also help lower cholesterol.

  1. Get Rid of Insomnia

Drinking Boiled banana peel water with cinnamon can get rid of your insomnia. Just drink the mixture before going to sleep. The green banana peel works better than yellow.

  1. Help the Environment

Did you know that banana peel needs two years to biodegrade? Eating the skin of your banana not only brings many benefits to your body but also preserves the environment.

Other Uses

Eating banana peel is just one of its many uses. For example, you can use banana peel for your plants and flowers. You can also use it on your body against insect bites: this will help heal faster. Finally, to complete the many functions of the banana peel, it should be remembered that it is possible to use the inner part to clean leather shoes, jackets, furniture.

For More, Read This Article:15 uses of banana peel in the garden and daily life [How to Guide]

Risk of Eating Banana Peel

As a general rule, consuming banana peel does not effect on your health but you have to be careful because not all banana peels are equal:

  • Eat only organic banana peels. Conventional non-organic banana uses too many pesticides. These pesticides can then be found on the skin.

 How to Eat Banana Peel

 How to Eat Banana Peel

Although banana peel is edible, it is particularly hard and thick in the premature stage. In addition, It tastes partly bitter if you consume raw.

To enjoy the best of its taste, it is advisable to wait until the banana mature so that the skin becomes thinner and sweeter. Alternatively, to make softer boil it for ten minutes: It will help to lose some of its bitter taste.

Of course, there are banana peel recipes. Some people prefer to mix it with other fruits and some people want to add them with milk. Banana peel can also be baked, fried or caramelized by heating water and sugar in a saucepan. Here I will teach you how to make banana peel smoothie.

Make Banana Peel Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 liter of milk
  • 4 ripe bananas
  • 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

These are the only ingredients for your banana smoothie, all you need is a big glass and blender to start.

Steps:

  • Step 1: Cut the bananas into slices with the peel. This step is very easy because ripe bananas have thin skin.
  • Step 2: Add the milk with banana slices into the glass or jar of your blender.
  • Step 3: Blend all ingredients properly with your blender.
  • Step 4: Serve banana peel smoothie in your favorite glasses and sprinkle with cinnamon. You can also add some crushed ice.

Tips: If you want a banana smoothie without milk, you can mix it with other fruits and get a smoothie with banana, orange, strawberry, and apple. In this case, it is not recommended to add cinnamon. To prepare a banana smoothie and lactose-free milk, replace the cow’s or goat’s milk with coconut milk or almond milk. You can also make a banana peel and chocolate smoothie for a more nutritious breakfast. Add raw sugar-free cacao powder, if you love sweet, also add some honey.

Final Words

The next time you eat a banana, do not throw the peels in the trash. Just remember, the skin of exotic fruit may be edible and must have incredible nutritional properties.SO before throwing fruit skins, do some research.

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