Eat the Peels: How Banana Peels Could Help You Lose Some Weight

If you thought just having bananas was good enough, we have some news for you. Presenting banana peels. Oh yes! it’s true, they don’t deserve to be in the bin. You will be surprised to know that the peels are loaded with nutrients and help in reducing weight.(10 Best Raw Banana Recipes)How is it Useful?Banana is one of the oldest fruits to have been cultivated by humans. It is known to contain essential vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin B-6, B-12, potassium and magnesium. It is also commonly known to aid in digestion and be a good source of fibre. While this fruit regularly makes it to the cereal bowl and is used as an ingredient in muffins and tea cakes, the nutrient packed peels go straight into the bin. As strange as the concept of eating peels may seem, on the contrary, many Asian countries have been doing so for years.Banana peels are said to contain vitamin A, which helps in building immunity and fight against infections. They also contain a substance called lutein, which keeps the eyes healthy and prevents cataract. Banana peels have a lot of antioxidants and most of the B vitamins but majorly vitamin B6. They have soluble and insoluble fibers which slow down the process of digestion and lower cholesterol in the body. It is highly recommended to eat these peels because it has potassium and magnesium, which keeps a check on the blood pressure levels.(10 Best Banana Recipes)Yellow or Green?According to a Japanese Scientific Research, it is better to opt for the yellow skin as it has anticancer properties and helps in the production of white blood cells. If you opt for the green skin, it is advised to first boil it for 10 minutes to soften the peel and then consume it.Another study highlights the benefits of green peels citing that they have tryptophan, which is an amino acid and it can help you get a good night’s sleep. Some studies also show that the peels have serotonin, which controls depression and keeps you happy whereas another substance called dopamine, keeps a check on the pumping strength of the heart and improves blood flow to the kidneys.
 There are many ways to include banana peels in your diet. People in the Asian countries and the Caribbean region make fritters of the entire fruit (peels and flesh). One can prepare a banana peel tea or a thick smoothie with vanilla ice cream. Some people like to eat it raw and some like to steam the peels for 10 minutes. The green variety is usually treated like a vegetable and needs to be cooked with spices and other ingredients to make a delightful dish. The yellow peels can be eaten directly and they have a prominent banana flavour as compared to the green peels. You can even prepare a banana peel shot by just blending the peels for a quick dose of nutrients.
 
(Moist Banana Cake)