HEALTH BENEFITS OF BANANA; IS BANANA DIFFERENT FROM PLANTAIN?

Hi Steemians.

Today's health talk will be on the benefits our body derive from BANANA and PLANTAIN. Some persons might see it as Monkey food. But I can bet you, It's beneficial to your health. Let's go.

Banana is an edible fruit with an appealing appearance and An Arc like shape,The largest plant on earth without a woody stem and one of the most popular fresh fruit all over the world, it name was generated from an Arabic Word "BANAN" which simply means FINGER. It's Botanical name is Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana.

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The height of a banana tree varies depending on the growing condition and its variety. But mostly their height are around 5 m (16 ft), and their leaves grow up to 2.7 meters (8.9 ft) long and 60 cm (2.0 ft) wide. Describing banana, It has an external layer usually referred to as the peel or skin, having so many threads around in between the peel/skin and its internal layer.

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Banana is the largest herbaceous flowering plant, It can be cultivated in large amount (Commercial farming) or found in small gardens and people's yard because it is very easy to cultivate.

We have more than 500 varieties of banana in the world. Some of which includes;

• Dwarf Cavendish
• Valery
• Williams hybrid bananas
• Apple banana
• Small red banana(sometimes called Red jamaica).

Don't mistake Banana for Plaintain.

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BANANA

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PLANTAIN

Yes!!!

It is very normal and natural to mistake banana for plantain because they are from the same family and their tree are the same when growing, which can only be differentiated when producing fruits(Banana).

This two things are quiet different, Plantain is thick skinned and are bigger although not too big in size and its green is brighter than that of Banana. Bananas can be eaten raw and more treated as fruits while Plantains can either be eaten raw, boiled, baked, cooked or fried, mostly treated as vegetables as they are low in sugar. Plantains are also called Cooking Banana

Few Differences Between Banana And Plantain

• Plantains are thick skinned with natural brown spot and rough areas

• Plantains looks more like green bananas but when ripen, its color changes to black.

• Bananas got thinner skin, and when ripen, it becomes yellow.

• Plantains are longer and larger than bananas.

• Bananas are Sweet and Plantains are starchy which might not be too pleasant in the mouth.

• Both contain Potassium, Vitamin A and C but Plantain contain more.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BANANA

BANANA contains the followings; which are all needed in our body for different purposes;

• Fibers
• Vitamins
• Minerals e.t.c.

This has contributed to the health benefits associated with eating Bananas. The contents of Bananas helps us with all but not limited to the following health issues;

• Heart diseases: This is one of the most common cause of Premature death. Study has shown that consuming 1.3 to 1.4 grams of potassium can help to lower the risk of heart disease by 26% and Banana are very high in potassium(Potassium is a Mineral that normalize blood pressure and promotes heart health.

• Aids Digestion: The resistant Starch and Pectins present in Unripe and green banana support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria thereby promoting gut health.

• Promote Relaxation: You will never believe Banana can make you happier, It helps overcome depression, Because tryptophan contained in it that is converted into serotonin helps you relax and improve your mood, I can say it is a happy mood brain neurotransmitter.

• Boost Energy: Athletes prefer taking in Banana to generate energy, as a medium sized banana contains 95 calories and three natural sugar, Sucrose, Fructose and Glucose, Providing you with a cholesterol free source of energy.

• Gastrointestinal Issues Control: Banana helps control three main gastrointestinal issues, they are;

• Constipation

• Heartburn

• Ulcers.

• Banana is also beneficial to our skin, both internal usage(eating) or external usage(applying on the skin after some processings).

This is just a few out of all health benefits of Banana.

You can also read more from Here and HERE

REFERENCES
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/bananas#section6

https://www.healthxchange.sg/food-nutrition/food-tips/good-reasons-eat-banana-today

https://www.fruitsinfo.com/banana.htm

http://www.bananalink.org.uk/all-about-bananas

Watch out for the Health benefits of Banana Leaves.

Thanks for reading.

I remain my humble self @anikys3reasure