From our childhood days, we’ve got heard that the consumption of bananas is superb for our well being. It is stuffed with micronutrients and macronutrients, which impart quite a few well being advantages. Every a part of the banana tree, just like the fruit, leaf, and stem, is full of a number of well being advantages. In addition, virtually each a part of the banana tree has industrial functions.
Banana belongs to the Musaceae household within the genus Musa. The Fe‘i banana, which belongs to the Australimusa sub-section of the Musa genus, is cultivated mainly for its fruit. The Fe‘i bananas are categorised by straight bunches, pink-red to purple sap, and deep yellow or orange coloured fruit pulp. Banana and plantain are a group of large perennial herbs that can grow up to 20 feet.
Banana: An Overview
People cultivate bananas in the tropical region, with India being the largest producer with an average annual output of 14.2 million tonnes. Other leading producers of bananas include Ecuador, the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, China, and Costarica. People also use the fruit, leaves, stem (also known as ‘false stem’), flowers, and banana tree roots as drugs. In North America, a lot of the accessible bananas are from one exact selection. However, many varieties of bananas exist around the globe.
Banana is a healthful fruit, and you need to use virtually each a part of the tree for its medicinal worth. For instance, it helps keep low potassium ranges within the blood (hypokalaemia), constipation, and diarrhoea. People additionally use bananas to deal with diabetes, excessive ldl cholesterol, and many different circumstances, however no detailed scientific analysis helps most of those makes use of.
Banana fruit incorporates chemical compounds and carbohydrates. Some of those carbohydrates work as fibres, which play a necessary function in regulating the gastrointestinal system. The chemical compounds perform as antioxidants which play a job in lowering swelling and combating free radicals. Bananas additionally include potassium, nutritional vitamins, and a number of different minerals.
Banana Stem: Here’s What You Should Know
The banana stem is just not like different plant stems as a result of the flower stalk of the banana plant is called the banana stem. The thick stalks rise from the soil, thus forming the backbone of the herbaceous plant. The banana stem has a crunchy floor and possesses a gentle flavour when consumed as a meals product. But, alternatively, it’s candy and provides a bitter aftertaste. Therefore, it’s truthful to say that the stalk is the stem of the banana plant.
The banana stalk harvests one colossal flower cluster and then dies. The stalk is mostly lower off from the plant when the bananas are plump and subjected to the ripening course of. Therefore, folks devour this stalk because the banana stem.
Nutritional Contents in Banana Stem
- Potassium (Ok)
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Copper (CU)
- Iron (Fe)
- Manganese (Mn)
- Carbohydrates
- Fibres
- Other minerals & micronutrients
Health Benefits of Banana Stem
The banana stem is loaded with an ample quantity of fibre and is thus identified to learn in stopping constipation and ulcers in the long term. The banana stem additionally incorporates a considerable quantity of nutritional vitamins B6 and potassium. Hence, sufferers affected by anaemia and diabetes are suggested to incorporate this meals product of their eating regimen recurrently. Some of the opposite advantages of the banana stem are:
Prevents Diabetes
The prevalence of diabetes is witnessing speedy development amongst low and middle-income international locations in comparison with high-income international locations. Rising circumstances of diabetes worldwide are primarily on account of a number of elements resembling weight problems, sedentary & unhealthy life-style, and genetic historical past.
Vitamin B6 is a cofactor concerned in lots of reactions answerable for modulating numerous functionalities. Therefore, deficiency of it usually results in a number of implications like Parkinson’s, diabetes, autism, most cancers, and many extra.
Studies linking diabetes and vitamin B6 have correlated each issues and effectiveness. Studies in Drosophila have indicated that vitamin B6 deficiency might result in diabetes. Hence, banana stems, a wealthy supply of vitamin B6, are believed to provide efficient ends in combating diabetes. Furthermore, vitamin B6 within the stem helps the manufacturing of haemoglobin and insulin.
People additionally use the stem for the remedy of hyperglycaemia. Lectin current within the banana stem stimulates insulin-like enzymes, which regulate the expansion of fatty cells. Moreover, bananas stems are extremely appropriate for consumption amongst diabetes sufferers, owing to their low glycemic index.
Detoxification
The juice of the banana stem flushes out toxins from the physique. Therefore, it’s also consumed as a drink by many. It has diuretic properties and positively impacts the digestive system. It additionally has numerous good fibre, which performs an important function in sustaining optimum intestine well being.
Banana stem juice regulates the acidic ranges within the human physique and balances them. As a outcome, it helps to cut back heartburn and discomfort within the digestive system.
Reduce Weight
Banana stem juice could be very helpful within the weight reduction course of. The excessive content material of fibre curbs starvation pangs and cravings, thereby lowering meals consumption and contributing to weight reduction. The fibre additionally facilitates the discharge of sugar and fat into the physique’s cells. If consumed as salad, the uncooked stem items assist cut back weight problems by chopping down on fats.
Prevents Kidney Issues
Currently, medical doctors usually advocate together with banana stem within the eating regimen for sufferers who are suffering from gall bladder stones. You can embody banana stem within the eating regimen as a beverage or a part of a meal.
The stem juice is an honest diuretic drink and helps oust small kidney stones. If blended with cardamom, this juice soothes the bladder and offers aid in opposition to cystitis. Cystitis is a type of urinary tract an infection (UTI) that disturbs the bladder. It is extra widespread amongst girls. Cystitis usually heals by itself. However, in excessive circumstances, you’d require antibiotics for its remedy.
Prevents Anaemia
According to WHO, in 2019, the worldwide prevalence of anaemia stood at an awesome 29.9% amongst girls within the reproductive age class or aged 15-49 years. Whereas anaemia’s prevalence amongst youngsters aged between 6-and 59 months stood at 39.8%.
Banana stems are extremely advisable within the remedy of anaemia by healthcare professionals. They are wealthy in vitamin B6 and iron, each identified to advertise haemoglobin ranges within the blood.
Relieves Constipation
Subsequently, the plantain stem is stuffed with fibre, which may successfully present aid in constipation. Therefore, consumption within the type of juice for treating constipation is exceptionally helpful. However, not straining the juice is advisable by specialists to keep up optimum ranges of fibre within the drink.
Reduces Bad Cholesterol
According to experiences printed by WHO, one-third of ischaemic coronary heart illness circumstances globally are on account of excessive levels of cholesterol. In addition, excessive levels of cholesterol are estimated to trigger roughly 2.6 million deadly episodes yearly. Between 2015 and 2018, roughly 12% of American adults confirmed levels of cholesterol increased than 240 mg/dL, says CDC.
The banana stem can even assist effectively handle levels of cholesterol, amongst many advantages. It is a wealthy supply of vitamin iron & B6, which play a necessary function in rising haemoglobin rely and lowering low-density lipoproteins (LDL) levels of cholesterol.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Hypertension or hypertension is when the blood strain in opposition to the arteries’ partitions is abnormally excessive. If left unadministered, hypertension will increase the possibilities of stroke. According to CDC, roughly half of your entire American grownup inhabitants, i.e., ~47%, undergo from hypertension.
Banana stems are wealthy in potassium, a mineral finest identified for combating fluctuations in blood strain. Hence, common consumption of banana stems may help handle hypertension successfully and reduces the danger of cardiovascular problems.
Prevents Urinary Tract Infection
Studies have discovered that Urinary tract an infection (UTI) is likely one of the commonest infections that have an effect on girls worldwide. UTI usually results in vaginal infections, and it majorly outcomes from pathogens that originate within the digestive tract.
Banana stem juice possesses diuretic properties. Thus, it aids the physique in flushing away toxins and purifying the urinary tract. Therefore, it’s best to devour banana stem juice a minimum of 3 times per week to evade the possibilities of urinary tract infections.
Banana Stem and Ayurveda
As per Ayurveda, all parts of the banana tree have nice medicinal advantages in opposition to a variety of circumstances. People check with it by synonyms like Kadali, Vaarnaa, Mocha, Ambusara, and Anshumatiphala. Few of the various makes use of of bananas in Ayurveda embody:
- The juice of the banana stem improves Vata problems and thirst. Vata establishes vitality and regulates all motion processes at a microcellular and macroscopic degree – from the blinking of our eyelids to the actions of our muscle tissue. It can be answerable for enhancing circulation, respiration, and the nervous system capabilities.
- The juice of the banana stem helps flush out kidney stones.
- The Sherbet (syrup) made out of banana stem provides aid from cough.
- You can devour the inside tender stem as a vegetable.
Potential Side Effects of Banana Stem
Although banana stem doesn’t have important unintended effects, some potential unintended effects are allergy, abdomen ache, vomiting, or hurt to the liver & kidneys. However, it is dependent upon the individual’s medical historical past and the quantity of banana stem consumed. You ought to train moderation whereas consuming or ingesting in any kind. A pores and skin allergy may also be a possible facet impact.
In such conditions, it’s of utmost significance that the individual consults a health care provider, a medical knowledgeable, a nutritionist, or a dietician. Ignoring the signs talked about above can result in far-reaching well being issues.
Banana Stem: Best Ways to Consume
Many folks keep away from incorporating banana stem because it takes time to scrub and lower the banana stem. But on condition that it’s useful in some ways, there are straightforward strategies to keep away from time wastage. Once cleaned and lower, they are often soaked in buttermilk and saved within the fridge for days. Then, as per the requirement, you need to use it to make juice for consumption. However, with time, it’s best to change buttermilk.
In Southern Thailand, folks often add a finely chopped banana stem to a candy and bitter vegetable soup or a curry. Therefore, you need to use banana stems as an ingredient in cooking meals.
- The first step is to scrub it correctly and then peel the outer layers.
- In the following step, lower the inside layer of the banana stem into small slices.
- After that, you may fry it or prepare dinner it uncooked in line with the individual’s palette.
- You can eat the fibrous edible as kebabs, tikkas, and cutlets.
In West Bengal, folks fry the banana stem and incorporate it into meals. Being a tropical area, folks in South India use banana stems to curate quite a few recipes. A well-liked recipe is Vazhaithandu Pachadi, a type of raita made with banana stems. It is straightforward to make and is very helpful for well being, particularly throughout summers.
The Bottom Line
The banana stem is a herbaceous and non-woody a part of the banana tree. People understand it by many names throughout totally different components of India and the world. It is a well-established incontrovertible fact that the banana stem is stuffed with flavour and vitamin. People, particularly in India, devour this a part of the plant. While in different components of the world, folks use it in diverse methods in a meal. Being a wealthy supply of vitamins, it finds a spot in each family for its affordability, medicinal advantages, and comfort. Capacity & tolerance in the direction of meals varies extensively from particular person to particular person. Hence it’s strictly advisable to seek the advice of knowledgeable in case of potential unintended effects post-consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How do you retailer banana stems long run?
A. Once cleaned and lower, you may soak them in buttermilk and retailer them within the fridge for days. Then, you need to use it as per your requirement. For instance, you need to use it to make juice for consumption. Changing the buttermilk as per its sourness needs to be saved in thoughts.
Q. How do you take away fibre from banana stems?
A. Banana stems represent two pure layers—the arduous inside layer is edible, and you will need to discard a porous outer layer. The technique of banana fibre extraction is straightforward. First, it’s best to peel off the outer covers of the banana stem. Next, flatten the inside layers, and strip off the fibres manually or by way of machines for industrial functions.
Q. Why are banana stems wrapped in plastic?
A. Wrapping the banana stems is an effective way to maintain them recent. You ought to do it to cease the discharge of ethylene fuel from the stems.
Q. What makes bananas flip brown so quick?
A. When bananas are available contact with ethylene fuel, their acids break down. Soon it turns into softer, and the inexperienced chlorophyll pigments within the fruit break down. It turns right into a yellow hue color, much like brown.
Q. Which a part of the banana stem is edible?
A. The inside a part of the fibrous stalk in a banana stem is the edible portion. However, you’ll have to take away the tough outer layers to disclose the white or yellowish-green stem.
Q. What a part of the banana plant develops right into a fruit?
A. The banana fruit basically develops from the banana flower; this course of is flower improvement. The improvement of the flower happens deep throughout the plant’s stem, which hides beneath the leaves’ bases. You can’t see the primary few phases of flower improvement till you narrow the banana plant. Hence, the stem solely seems above the leaves as soon as the flower completes its rising part.
Q. Is banana stem good for diabetes?
A. Vitamin B6 within the stem helps the manufacturing of haemoglobin and insulin. Therefore, the stem helps fight hyperglycaemia. Moreover, lectin current within the banana stem stimulates insulin-like enzymes, which regulate the expansion of fatty cells. Thus, the consumption of banana stem is taken into account efficient in defending in opposition to diabetes.
Q. Can banana stems be eaten uncooked?
A. You can use the recent stems uncooked. However, it isn’t so tender when the stem is a day older. Hence you’ll have to prepare dinner or fry it to devour it.
Q. How helpful is banana stem juice for kidney stones?
A. Currently, medical doctors usually advocate together with banana stems within the eating regimen for sufferers who are suffering from gallbladder stones. Including banana stem within the eating regimen a minimum of as soon as weekly as a beverage or meal is very helpful. The stem juice acts as an honest diuretic drink and helps out small kidney stones.
Q. When to drink banana stem juice?
A. Drinking a glass of banana stem juice within the morning a minimum of 3 times per week contributes massively to your well being and affords quite a few well being advantages. However, this is dependent upon particular person wants, points, and medical historical past. Hence, it’s best to seek the advice of a health care provider to keep away from potential unintended effects.