One of the most popular and popular fruits around the world, it is consumed both fresh and dried bananas. Bananas have many essential nutrients that support and protect the health of the body. In this article, we want to give complete information about this fruit with many properties and also its dry fruit properties, stay with us:
The history and age of using banana, which is one of the native fruits of Southeast Asia and especially Malaysia, goes back to about 4,000 years ago. The banana fruit, which has a moderate character, is one of the most consumed fruits in the world. Eating bananas can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cancer, and can also have a positive effect on preventing asthma.
In general, this delicious and popular fruit grows in almost all tropical and subtropical regions, but the most important commercial producers of this fruit are countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil and Ecuador.
What is a banana?
Banana is a herbaceous plant that is similar to a tree and its height reaches 3 to 8 meters. The scientific name of this plant is Musa Paradisiaca and its English name is Bananas, this plant is in the family of bananas and is a member of the consumption group of anti-inflammatories, cholesterol reducers and digestive disorders.
The leaves of the banana plant are very large and perfect, the asymmetric flowers grow in the axial branches, at the top of the false trunk of the plant, and have 5 white petals. A seedless fruit that originates from female flowers without pollination. This yellow, crescent-shaped fruit has soft flesh with a sweet taste and a pleasant smell. The fruit usually grows on clusters of 50 to 150 pieces.
In general, there are two types of bananas, one is Musa Sapienta bananas, which are very sweet and come in different sizes and colors and are eaten raw (the same kind of bananas we see) and the other type are Musa Paradisica bananas. Musa Paradisiaca) which are bigger than the previous type and green in color and similar to vegetables, are consumed cooked or fried.
Banana is originally a native of Malaysia that has found its way to the forests of South America, today this fruit is planted in all tropical parts of the world. The distribution of this plant in Iran is mostly seen in the southern provinces in the form of planting. Bananas are picked unripe and green and the wrapped bag is placed around the room to ripen after a few days.
Properties of bananas
In the following, we mention the most important properties of bananas and dried bananas:
Dried banana improves digestive health
Dietary fibers are associated with many health benefits, including improved digestion, an average banana has about 3 grams of fiber, making bananas a relatively good source of fiber. Bananas contain two main types of fiber, one is pectin, which decreases as the banana ripens, and the other is resistant starch, which is present in unripe bananas.
Resistant starch is volatile and ends up in the large intestine, where it becomes food for beneficial intestinal bacteria. In addition, some laboratory studies show that pectin can help and protect against colon cancer.
Bananas generally contain water and fiber, both of which regulate digestion and improve the health of the digestive system. This fruit is also considered part of an approach known as the BRAT diet, which some doctors recommend to treat diarrhea. BRAT stands for Banana, Rice, Apple, and Toast.
Diarrhea can lead to loss of water and electrolytes such as potassium, bananas can almost replace these nutrients. According to a 2012 study, high-fiber foods can cause bloating, gas, and cramping in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however, bananas may improve these symptoms.
Dry banana controls blood pressure
The American Heart Association (AHA) encourages people to reduce their salt and sodium intake and instead increase their intake of foods that contain potassium, which can help control blood pressure and reduce stress on the cardiovascular system. do According to the nutritional information available in the resources of this forum, a medium banana provides approximately 9% of the daily human need for potassium.
Numerous studies have been conducted to confirm the benefits of consuming foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, in reducing blood pressure. The composition of potassium helps to regulate the function of the heart and the balance of fluids in the body, which is considered an important factor in regulating blood pressure in a person. Each banana contains an average of 440 mg of potassium.
Dried bananas help reduce asthma symptoms
Many studies have been conducted on the effects of bananas on asthma. Meanwhile, a study conducted in 2007 showed that eating bananas can prevent wheezing in children with asthma, one of the reasons for this could be the presence of antioxidants and potassium in banana fruit.
Dry banana prevents cancer
Laboratory research has shown that lectin, a protein found in bananas, can prevent the growth of leukemia cells. Lectin acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants help the body eliminate molecules known as free radicals. If too many free radicals accumulate, they can cause cell damage and potentially lead to cancer.
In 2004, researchers noted that children who consumed bananas, orange juice, or both appeared to have a lower risk of developing leukemia. The researchers in this research stated that this could be due to the content of vitamin C, because this substance also has antioxidant properties.
Dried bananas improve heart health
Bananas contain fiber, potassium, folate and antioxidants such as vitamin C. All of these things support heart health. A 2017 study found that people who follow a high-fiber diet have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who follow a low-fiber diet. In people who have consumed more fiber, there is a lower amount of lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol.
Potassium is a mineral that is essential for heart health (especially blood pressure control). Despite its importance, few people get enough potassium in their diet. Bananas are an excellent food source of potassium, one medium banana (118 grams) contains 9% of the RDI.
Diets rich in potassium can help lower blood pressure, and people who eat the most potassium have a 27% reduced risk of heart disease. In addition, bananas contain a good amount of magnesium, which is important for heart health.
Dried bananas reduce the risk of diabetes
The American Diabetes Association advises everyone not to forget to eat bananas and other fruits that contain fiber, this association points out that eating fiber can help reduce blood sugar levels.
In a 2018 review, researchers concluded that eating a high-fiber diet can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and may lower blood sugar in those who already have the disease.
Dry banana preserves memory and strengthens the spirit
Loss of memory and its preservation is one of the things that has caused a lot of concern for researchers, they suggest that a person should use food that has compounds to preserve memory and strengthen it. Banana is one of the most familiar and available fruits and foods.
Bananas contain tryptophan compounds, tryptophan is an amino acid that can help a lot in memory retention, strengthening a person’s ability to learn, remember things, and regulate mood.
Dried bananas may improve kidney health
Potassium is considered essential for blood pressure control and healthy functioning of kidneys, bananas as a good food source of potassium may be useful for maintaining kidney health. A 13-year study of women showed that those who ate bananas 2-3 times a week were 33% less likely to develop kidney disease.
Other studies in this regard show that those who eat bananas 4 to 6 times a week suffer from kidney disorders almost 50% less than those who do not consume this fruit.
Dried bananas contain strong antioxidants
Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of dietary antioxidants, and bananas are no exception. They contain several types of powerful antioxidants, including dopamine and catechin. These antioxidants are associated with many health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease and degenerative diseases.
However, this creates a common misconception that the dopamine in bananas acts as a feel good chemical in the brain, when in fact, the dopamine in bananas does not cross the blood brain barrier. This compound simply acts as a powerful antioxidant for changing hormones or mood.
Dry banana helps to lose weight and control it
Bananas are relatively low in calories and high in dietary fiber, each banana contains only about 100 calories on average. This fruit also contains soluble fiber pectin, which helps control blood sugar and reduce appetite after meals. Pectin creates a feeling of satiety and helps to slow down digestion. Consuming vegetables and fruits rich in fiber causes weight loss in people.
Banana has different characteristics that make it a suitable food for weight loss; Bananas are high in dietary fiber, eating more fiber from vegetables and fruits like bananas is frequently associated with weight loss and weight loss. In addition, unripe bananas with resistant starch tend to be very filling and may reduce one’s appetite.
Different uses of bananas
Bananas are used in the following ways:
fresh fruit
Banana fruit is one of the most special fruits that can keep you full for a long time, they make all kinds of juices and milk-based drinks, cakes, marmalade, etc. from this fruit.
Banana powder
Dry bananas are made into powder and used as a flavoring for desserts, ice cream, cakes, etc.
dried banana
Bananas are cut and made into different shapes, then they are made into dried fruit using the traditional method (putting them in front of the sun) or industrial methods (in a dryer). Dried banana fruit can be used as fruit chips in snacks or used to decorate cakes and desserts.
How to prepare dried bananas
To dry bananas, try to choose a warm sunny day when the air humidity is below 60% and the weather is sunny and warm. It takes several days to dry the fruits in the sun, so it is necessary that the weather is clear and good for several days in a row.
Place the banana slices on a stainless steel, plastic or fiberglass mesh tray with Teflon coating and place them on the mesh with a little distance. Place the fruit tray on two bricks so that it is away from the ground and throw a thin net over it and place it under the sun. Placing the tray on the brick improves the air flow and dries the moza faster.
To speed up the process of drying fruits, place an aluminum or tin sheet under the tray. Cool night air can re-moisten the fruit, so put the tray in a covered place at night. Visit the fruits several times a day and collect the shriveled and chewy fruits.
Information and medicinal ingredients of bananas
Bananas are an excellent source of potassium and a good source of vitamins B6, C, riboflavin, biotin, sugars, starch, protein and digestible fibers (such as pectin) and magnesium. Compared to other fruits, bananas have very little water, but they produce a lot of energy. The effects of energy production, improvement of heart function, reduction of cholesterol, anti-inflammatory and anti-digestive disorders are attributed to these compounds.
100 grams of banana (a small banana) produces 89 calories, this amount of bananas contains 1.1 grams of protein, 0.3 grams of fat, 22.8 grams of carbohydrates, 2.6 grams of fiber, 12.2 grams of natural sugars (such as glucose, fructose, sucrose), 358 mg A gram of potassium is 27 mg of magnesium and 5 mg of calcium.
Banana parts used
The only part of the banana plant that is used is the museum fruit, which is used in the form of fresh, dried, and banana powder, and the skin of the fruit is used in different ways for health and hygiene.
The use of bananas in traditional medicine
In traditional and Islamic medicine, the nature of this plant is said to be hot and humid, and it has effects such as increasing semen, stomach tonic, stomach anti-inflammatory, pharyngitis reliever, urinary irritation reliever, and improves hot headaches. Ayurveda (Indian medicine) uses bananas to cure worms, kidney disorders, skin itches, bronchitis and heartburn.
In modern medical science, the effects of lowering blood pressure, better bowel function, reducing blood cholesterol, improving digestive ulcers of the stomach and intestines have been confirmed, and a number of traditional uses that include curing indigestion, diabetes, high blood pressure, gout and intestinal ulcers and They have correctly diagnosed it as stomach.
Disadvantages of excessive use of bananas
Banana consumption is prohibited for people who suffer from depression or regularly take depression drugs, including the tricyclic group such as amitriptyline, and people who are allergic to latex. They dry up, avoid it.
In general, there is no need to consume bananas other than those mentioned and they can be consumed. In long-term use, complications such as migraine headaches may occur in people prone to migraines. Excessive consumption of bananas has been reported to cause hyperthermia, skin rashes, migraine headaches, and cardiac muscle fibrosis.
Key and important points about bananas
- The prevalence of cardiac fibrosis in some tropical countries is very high due to excessive and raw consumption of bananas.
- Banana has an enzyme called chitinase, which causes allergic reactions in people who are prone to allergies.
- One raw banana per day is enough to meet many of the nutritional needs of a person.
- Bananas can be kept frozen, for this they add a few drops of lemon juice to keep the color and the pulp stable.
Banana nutrition table
Banana consists of macronutrients and micronutrients according to the tables below, which make up its nutritional value.
The main ingredient in 100 grams
- Energy (calories) 89 kcal
- Carbohydrate 22.84 grams
- Protein 1.09 grams
- Fat 0.33 grams
- 74.91 grams of water
- Fiber 2.60 grams
- Sugar 12.23 grams
- Cholesterol 0.00 mg
Banana vitamins
Vitamin name, amount per 100 grams
- Vitamin A 3.00 mcg
- Vitamin D 0.00 mcg
- Vitamin E 0.10 mg
- Vitamin K 0.50 mcg
- Vitamin C 8.70 mg
- Thiamine (B1) 0.03 mg
- Riboflavin (B2) 0.07 mg
- Niacin (B3) 0.67 mg
- Choline (B4) 9.80 mg
- Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.33 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.37 mg
- Folate (B9) 20.00 micrograms
- Vitamin B12 0.00 mg
Banana minerals
The name of the mineral, the amount per 100 grams
Calcium 5.00 mg
Iron 0.26 mg
Magnesium 27.00 mg
Phosphorus 22.00 mg
Potassium 358.00 mg
Sodium 1.00 mg
Zinc 0.15 mg
Copper 0.08 mg
Manganese 0.27 mg
Selenium 1.00 micrograms