Top 5 Health Benefits of Eating Banana Skin

Do you eat the banana skin (or peel) or only the banana itself? To be honest, I never used to eat the peel before – it didn’t really um…“appeel” to me. However, when I learned about the benefits of eating banana skins I started trying it out. Still, I wouldn’t say it’s an exquisite culinary experience exactly, but on the other hand, neither is wheatgrass juice and I drink that almost every day to give my body a boost. So, what are the benefits of eating banana skins then? First of all, if you’re vegan this is a great way for you to furnish your body with vitamin B12 – a vitamin that you’d otherwise get from animal products such as meat, eggs and fish. That said, vegan or not, there are plenty of other benefits to be had from eating the skin too – so read on for these Top 5 Health Benefits of Eating Banana Skin!

1. Banana Skin is Rich in Potassium

This is an essential mineral that our bodies can’t produce by itself, therefore we have to get it through our food. Potassium is highly important in order to function properly, among many things it helps our bodies to regulate fluid, regulate muscle contractions and effectively transmit nerve signals.

2. Rich in Vitamin B6

Besides Vitamin B12 as mentioned above, banana skins are rich in vitamin B6. Both of these vitamins contribute towards the strengthening of the immune system as well as helping regulate blood sugar, improving cardiovascular health and supporting sound nervous system function.

3. High in Antioxidants

This may help increase ‘fat burning’. It has been suggested, believe it or not, that unripe bananas have the highest concentration of antioxidants.

4. Banana Skin Contains Tryptophan

Banana skins contain tryptophan which is an amino acid that boosts the brain’s production of serotonin (one of the ‘happy’ group of hormones) and therefore has a mood-enhancing effect.

5. Contains Lutein

Lutein is a member of the carotenoid family and a substance that you naturally have in the yellow spot (retina) of your eye. Consuming lutein contributes to good optical health.

As you can see, banana skins possesses many important, robust nutrients, minerals and vitamins ready for you to ‘download’ assimilate and benefit from. It might be seen as pretty uncommon to eat banana skins in Europe, or western nations but many other countries and cultures have been eating them since, well, forever…and probably know something we don’t! I myself find it easiest to use them in smoothies with other fruits, vegetables or berries – but some folks boil or fry them as well. No matter how you choose to eat them, remember it’s super important that you rinse the (preferably organic) peel thoroughly. Enjoy!

Have you eaten banana skins or peel before? What did you think of it? Do you know any great recipes to make it more enjoyable to eat? Let us know in the comments below, join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Stay tuned for more fascinating articles on the myriad different uses of fruits, their skins, seeds and more! Meantime, check out these; Best Foods for Your Brain, Indonesian Teas, and YES-foods to help you KEEP YOUR Fit ON!