Can you eat the banana skin?

He banana is a delicious and very nutritious fruit, which is also very comfortable, because you can take it anywhere to peel it and eat it whenever you feel like it. But be careful, until now you would have thrown the skin in the first organic waste container you came across. Do not do it.

The next time you’re making a smoothie or baking banana bread, stop before you peel it: save yourself a prep step and introduce more nutrients into your diet. Yes, the banana skin can be eaten and has beneficial properties.

The banana peel, peel, or skin, especially if it is green, is hard and bitter, which is why it generally ends up in the trash. to make it nice you have to prepare it properly.

Properties and benefits of banana skin

banana skin It is 70-83% digestive fiber. This amount of fiber produces a feeling of satiety, which prevents the consumption of excess calories, and promotes health through its effect on intestinal transit and the state of the microbiota.

Prevents constipation.Stabilizes blood sugar (glucose) levels.Reduces bad LDL cholesterol.Improves the state of the intestinal mucosa, which reduces inflammation and regulates immunity.

Banana skin also contains potassium, polyphenols, carotenes and other phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to him study published in the journal Applied biochemistry and biotechnology, the antioxidant content decreases as the banana ripens.

By the way, if you are going to take advantage of the banana skin, when eating the pulp, do not discard the white threads, which also They are loaded with beneficial nutrients.

3 recipes with banana skin

All banana skins can be eaten, but keep in mind that those of the ripe pieces are finer and sweeter.

The first thing to do is wash the skin well, as it is done with any fruit that is not peeled. This is especially important if the banana is not organic because conventional crops use a lot of pesticides. For this reason, and because the nutritional quality of bananas is greater, it is always a good idea to choose organic products.

Banana skin can be used as an ingredient in fruit and vegetable smoothies and even main dishes. Let’s look at some simple preparations.

Banana bread

In this recipe you don’t even need to peel the banana. Cut off the thick stem and opposite hard end, discard, then continue slicing the plantain. Put the slices in the blender or food processor and continue with the usual banana bread recipe.

If the plantain is not very ripe, you can peel it and cook the skin for 20 minutes before putting it in the blender.

Smoothie with banana skin

Cut the banana into slices as in the previous recipe. You can add two or three slices as is to the blender along with other fruits, juices and vegetables to prepare your breakfast smoothie. You can also freeze a few slices to have ready each morning.

Vegan banana skin bacon

The grilled banana skin acquires a texture similar to bacon. You only have to marinate the skins for half an hour in a mixture of water, soy sauce, sweet paprika and crushed garlic. Then put them in the pan or griddle with a little olive oil for 10 minutes or more. You can eat it as is or use it to prepare a Bolognese sauce, for example.

Kiwi and orange peels are also eaten

By the way, the kiwi skin and the white skin of the orange can also be eaten. Well, actually, orange peel can also be used: cut it into thin strips, let it dry and crush it. This powder can be used to flavor all kinds of recipes. The fresh zest is also used in desserts.

The next time you are going to throw away a banana skin, remember that represents 35% of the weight of the fruit, that you have paid for it, that you can reduce food waste and become a champion of zero waste.

If we haven’t convinced you to eat the banana skin, don’t throw it away yet: you can crush it and mix it with the soil to fertilize the plants.