Banana peel is not just a timeless comedy prop, it’s an overlooked nutritional goldmine.
That’s right – you can actually eat all your banana, from the flesh inside to the very last piece of skin – which is not only less wasteful, but good for you too.
The thought of chomping down on the tough, yellow skin may be off-putting, but it’s worth it: the skin is full of even more of the good stuff that banana flesh contains, like potassium, magnesium and fibre.
Plus it’s jam-packed with tryptophan, which is key in creating serotonin – the chemical that can help alleviate depression and assist with healthy sleep.How many bananas would you have to eat to kill you?
‘The skins of most fruits and vegetables contain the richest sources of vitamins and minerals as they are affected by the light during growth, acting to absorb the light and protect the fruit.
‘Banana skins are rich in colour and contain carotenoids, in particular the xanthophyll lutein, which is an antioxidant known to protect against oxidative stress in the eyes.’
The only downside is that most of us would find eating raw banana skin to be an unpleasant experience, as it can be tough and bitter.Easy recipe: Peanut butter-covered banana wrapped in bacon
The answer is to wait for the fruit to ripen, making the peel thinner and sweeter, before cooking and eating it.
Here’s some ideas to help you down your banana skins like a pro:
This is reportedly a great sleeping aid , thanks to the tryptophan (the amino acid that assists sleep) the skin contains, and also the magnesium. Magnesium is helpful in stopping you from waking up in the night or ahead of your alarm – it’s an essential mineral for helping the body stay hydrated, the muscles relaxed and your adrenaline levels under control. In short, sufficient magnesium levels are crucial to a good night’s sleep.
Plus the potassium can help your blood vessels and muscles relax.
- Boil a small pot of water.
- Add a whole banana with the ends chopped.
- Continue boiling for ten minutes.
- Strain through a colander into a mug.
Many Asian cultures cook the banana in its skin for tender fruit. Others fry the peel and add to curries.
- Turn the oven up to 200 degrees.
- Cut off the ends and slice the banana in half.
- Sprinkle on cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar and bake for 10-15 minutes.
- Serve with yogurt or ice cream.
A quick and easy way to incorporate the whole banana in your diet.
- Cut off the ends of the banana and place in a blender.
- Add half a pint of milk, handful of ice, two tablespoons of honey and a quarter teaspoon of nutmeg.
- Blend until smooth.
If you’re still not convinced by any of the delicious banana skin recipes, Daniels tells Metro.co.uk you can get decent effects from eating the fruit alone: ‘Inside the banana is very nutritious too,’ she says. However, the quantities are far more concentrated in the skin – and, as its vibrant yellow hue would suggest, it contains more antioxidants too.