All About Bananas
By Amy Silva
Bananas are a great portable and affordable snack and Americans eat more bananas than any other fruit. They can be packed in school and work lunches without having to be prepared, and they can easily be eaten while running errands to avoid unhealthy alternatives when hunger strikes. Bananas also have household uses and may even have health benefits. There are some surprising facts you may not have known about this popular yellow fruit.
Facts About Bananas
Bananas are grown in many countries throughout the world with most being grown in Ecuador. Many people don't know bananas are a type of berry and they are sterile. We may say bananas grow on trees, but they grow on a type of herb that's related to ginger. There are a lot of different types of bananas and the one we're most familiar with due to it being common in grocery stores is the Cavendish. Plantains are a variety of banana but aren't enjoyed the same way due to them not being as sweet, and they're typically cooked prior to being eaten. There are miniature bananas, red ones and even one type which is said to taste like ice cream.
Potential Health Benefits of Bananas
Bananas may have health benefits related to them being high in antioxidants and containing vitamins, minerals and fiber. Bananas have different health benefits depending on if they're eaten when green or after becoming ripe and having dark spots on them. Some of the ways they can be good for your health include lifting mood and helping you sleep. Bananas may also help prevent type 2 diabetes, lower the risk of stroke and heart attack, and even reduce the risk of kidney cancer by nearly half, according to one study.
Household Uses for Banana Peels
Banana peels can be useful around the house and outdoors in ways that include:
- In the garden - Leaving banana peels outdoors may attract butterflies, keep certain bugs from your rose bushes and can be used as compost
- Beauty tips - Banana peels can be used to whiten teeth, help bruises, get a stubborn splinter out and can be put under eyes to reduce puffiness
- Other household uses - Banana peels can be used as a polish for leather and silver
Adding bananas to your diet can provide nutrients and could have potential health benefits, such as lowering the risk of certain diseases. They're the most popular fruit in the United States and are affordable.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Gahanna, Ohio.