At what stage should I consume bananas? Which is healthier?

Banana is a fruit that most people like and one of the staple foods, especially in tropical countries like Brazil. In addition, it is cheap and has many benefits for the body. Eating a banana a day helps to maintain health, lose weight and improve bowel function.

But the nutrients offered by the fruit will depend on the stage in which it is, as they are different when the banana is green, when it is ripe and when it has passed the point where it is usually consumed.

Get to know each of them and choose which one is the most beneficial for you!

green bananas

Green bananas are mainly consumed for their medicinal properties. They have a low glycemic index compared to ripe bananas, which makes them much healthier than yellow bananas. Consuming this shade of bananas also helps in preventing heart disease and is good for diabetic patients.

yellow bananas

They are the most attractive and most consumed due to their vibrant hue. Yellow bananas are rich in fiber, potassium, antioxidants, vitamins like B6 and C, and a fiber called pectin, which gives the fruit its structured shape and also helps maintain skin elasticity.

spotted banana

Spotted bananas are full of antioxidants, which help prevent heartburn and indigestion. Also, when a banana ripens, its sugar content, as well as the amount of nutrients, increases, which makes a banana with spots better than a yellow or green one. These spots indicate the presence of a substance that fights cancer, as well as improving the immune system and helping with cell renewal in the body, preventing tumors.

brown banana

That’s when the spots are darker and weirder, looking like rotten fruit. But don’t throw it away! These bananas are very soft and have benefits for bones, muscles and keeping cortisol (stress hormone) levels in balance. They also help with digestion.

In addition to these benefits, bananas are a source of potassium, responsible for regulating our heartbeat and keeping our brain alert. It also helps keep you fuller for longer, avoiding the consumption of extra calories. That’s why it’s always good to have it for breakfast.

To facilitate the consumption of the fruit in stages not as sweet as yellow bananas, you can use them in recipes for vitamins or desserts.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.