I am not to sure I could eat one.. however..
Think Twice Before Throwing Away a Banana Peel
A lot of people love bananas and have discovered that they make a great
“in-between-meals” snack. Bananas are sweet, have enough bulk to make
you feel full (at least temporarily), and can give you a little burst of energy
without the blood sugar crash associated with baked goods like cookies or
muffins.
After you eat that banana, here’s one health tip though: don’t be so quick to
toss the peel in the compost. Why? Believe it or not, banana peels —
just like many other fruit peels — contain a lot of healthful nutrients. This
is likely why many primates eat bananas, peel and all. Many humans also follow
suit, although here in North America, most of us toss
banana peels out.
Banana peel is rich in potassium and contains
much more soluble and insoluble fiber than the fruit’s flesh. All this
dietary fiber promotes better digestion and bowel movements and could even
reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Banana peel also contains an antioxidant called lutein, which could
protect and boost the health of your eyes. And, last but not least,
banana peels contain a mood-boosting substance called tryptophan.
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In one clinical trial, researchers investigated the antioxidant capacity
of banana peels. They noted that the peels contain phytochemicals such
as polyphenols and carotenoids. which not only act as antioxidants, but are
also antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, and cytoprotective.
The research team studied the protective effect of banana peel extract on
hydrogen peroxide-induced “hemolysis” (a term that describes the
breakdown of red blood cells). They found a positive link between free
radical scavenging capacity and the phenolic compounds in the banana
peel. They also discovered that unripe banana peel had higher
antioxidant potency than ripe peel.
So how do you eat a banana
peel? Do you just start chewing? Of course, banana peels can be eaten
raw, although they are a bit tough and don’t have the same great taste
as the actual banana. Instead, you may want to boil the peel for 10
minutes or so before eating it and then put it in the juicer. In Asian
countries, banana peels are often fried and served as a delicacy.
(Originally published on Wednesday, July 18th, 2012
Food and Nutrition by Dr. Victor Marchione for The Doctors Health Press)
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