Admittedly a strange natural remedy for depression. But bananas are the most popular fruit in the world, with over 1000 different varieties! Bananas are not considered a tree, but rather, a high herb. They are grown in more than 150 countries and produce 105 million tons of fruit per year.
Most people are familiar with the fruit, but in the United States, the majority of people toss the peel. Have you ever considered eating the banana peel? Many countries take advantage of the nutrients in the peels and incorporate the peels into their diet.
While the fruit of the banana is soft and sweet, the peel is thick and fibrous. You can add it to a smoothie or you can bake or boil them to soften the peel. If you choose to bake or even fry them, try leaving the fruit in the peel and eating it combined!
Do you let your banana’s get super ripe? If so, the peel will then get thinner and sweeter!
Before you scoff at the idea, consider the nutrition benefits! The peel of a medium size banana contains high amounts of vitamins B6 and B12, as well as magnesium and potassium! Eating a banana peel can improve digestion, lower risk of diabetes, improve immune health, increase energy, help develop new cells, tissues and organs, and can help regulate glucose and blood pressure levels!
Still not ready to eat your banana peel? They contain tryptophan, which helps to increase serotonin levels in the body to improve mood. A study from Taiwan found that banana peel extract eased depression. Other studies found that eating two banana peels per day for three days can ease depression and increase blood serotonin by 16 percent!
If you choose to eat the banana peel, it’s important to buy organic to avoid ingesting pesticides or herbicides. If you decide to eat a conventional banana, consider washing in thoroughly and boiling before eating.Who knows, eating banana peels could be the next health craze to sweep the country! What do you think?
