There’s been a lot of hype lately about how healthy eating banana peels is for you.
Some say that peels can help beat depression, are detoxifying and will help you sleep better.
Unfortunately, I could not find any science to back that up with amounts and varieties.
What I did find is that eating the skin of a plantain banana (not the sweet variety) does contain polyphenols. Polyphenols have antioxidant properties. And they have many health benefits.
Antioxidants:
- Neutralize free radicals
- Support the immune system
- Support the heart
- Promote DNA repair
- Improve memory
- Prevent and fight cancer
- Reduce blood pressure
- Have anti-inflammatory properties
- Support healthy aging
But if you can’t get past the texture or taste you could throw the peel into your smoothie on high speed. Be sure to wash the peel well because it could contain pesticides.
Or you could skip the peel altogether and have some green tea, dark chocolate or red wine for the same polyphenol benefits.
I did find some other useful ways to use a banana peel. Here they are hack style:
1. Applying a banana peel topically will reduce pain. Leave on for 30 minutes or until you feel better.
2. Rub a banana peel on your teeth everyday for a week and see whiter teeth.
3. Banana peels also help heal psoriasis. Rub on the affected area to relieve itchiness and pain.
4. Rub the inside of the peel on your face to reduce wrinkles. I’m still experimenting with this one. I like to put on in the evening, while I’m watching T.V. and then I wash it off before bedtime. I am noticing moisturizing benefits and will report back on the wrinkles.
In the meantime, have great week.
To a healthy more beautiful you.
Sandy DeRose
References:
Passo Tsamo CV, Et. al. Phenolic profiling in the pulp and peel of nine plantain cultivars (Musa sp.). Food Chem. 2015.
Pereira A. Et. al. Banana (Musa spp) from peel to pulp: ethnopharmacology, source of bioactive compounds and its relevance for human health. J Ethnopharmacol. February 2015.
Goya L., Et. al. Effect of Cocoa and Its Flavonoids on Biomarkers of Inflammation: Studies of Cell Culture, Animals and Humans. Nutrients. April 2016.
Brian D. Lawenda, M.D. Flavonoid Polyphenols and Cancer. Integrative Oncology Essentials. January 2013.
Moreno-Luna R., et al. Olive oil polyphenols decrease blood pressure and improve endothelial function in young women with mild hypertension. Am J Hypertens. August 2012.
Zern TL., et al. Grape polyphenols exert a cardioprotective effect in pre- and postmenopausal women by lowering plasma lipids and reducing oxidative stress. J Nutr. August 2015.
