Fruits are essential for our health – this isn’t exactly news. However, did you know that some of these nutritious food’s peels can also be eaten?
We’re not even talking about apples, rather a banana, which is so flexible, you can eat it cooked, or sometimes take it as a drink. Wait before you raise your eyebrow, a dietician backs this fact up, which can change your mind.
Boosts Magnesium and Potassium Intake
Banana peels have often been associated with tragedy and accidents, no thanks to the countless cartoons that showed that. However, you don’t have to throw away the skin of the yellow fruit, expert Susie Burrell shared.
As it turns out, the peel aids in weight loss because it boosts magnesium and potassium intake and you will get about 20 percent more of vitamin C and B6 out of it.
But not so fast! Don’t go devouring a banana entirely with its skin just yet. You need to cook it first, perhaps boil, to make the peel soft, which means the cell walls have broken down.
Then, you can add this to your regular meal or smoothie. The nutritionist further explained that the color of the peel signifies different nutritional contribution.
A ripe yellow one has higher antioxidant contents, which helps fight cancer, while the green peel has high tryptophan (which promotes good sleep) and amino acid.
Weight Loss Claims
However, don’t rush getting banana peels from the garbage because there is no other research to back her claim on its effect on weight loss, nutritionist Cynthia Sass said.
She further stressed that because there’s still not enough evidence to prove Susie’s claims, it’s hard to determine which one is better, green or yellow; how many should you consume, and how long should you do it to shed the extra pounds.
Jackie Newgent, a New York City nutritionist, instead advised getting a dose of fiber from other sources, like oatmeal or hummus.
However, if you are persistent in trying out this banana peel trend, Cynthia suggests getting the USDA-approved bananas and ensure that you wash the peels thoroughly to remove the pesticide.
Start with this slowly, meaning you should incorporate small dosages on your diet first and observe how it affects your body.
Health Benefits of a Banana
The skin aside, a banana is a nutritious fruit on its own – you can get 12 percent of your daily potassium requirement from it. Plus, you also get 3 grams of fiber apiece, which means it suppresses your hunger, ultimately helping in weight loss.