Are You Throwing Away Banana Fibers? The Surprising Health Benefits You’re Missing Out On
Do you eat the fibrous parts of a banana, or do you peel it like most people, tossing away those stringy bits? According to Dr. Manuel Viso, a leading expert featured in La Vanguardia, these banana fibers—called phloem bundles—are actually packed with incredible health benefits! It turns out, these “banana veins” are far more nutritious than you might think. While we often focus on the fruit’s vitamins, its fibers could be the real game-changer. So, is the fruit itself healthy, or should we be more focused on the fibers? Let’s find out!
What Are the Benefits of the Fibrous Parts of Bananas?
Many people remove the fibrous parts surrounding fruits like bananas, oranges, and mandarins. You’ve probably encountered the debate about whether the fibers of mandarins should be removed or not. But today, the topic is the fibers in bananas! Dr. Manuel Viso raises an important point about this. It turns out these fibers are 'the blood vessels of the banana.' In other words, the fibrous parts of the banana should never be removed. So, what do these fibers do, and what are the benefits of bananas?
The fibrous area inside the banana peel, known as the phloem bundles, is much healthier than you might think!
While the tasty part is the banana itself, according to the Spanish news site La Vanguardia, the fibrous part contains a number of essential nutrients. It has a high concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, along with anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it contains potassium, magnesium, and tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin. In other words, the fibers not only strengthen the immune system but also improve your mood and motivation with the help of tryptophan.
Dr. Viso, in a video he shared on his Instagram account, also mentions that regularly eating bananas reduces the risk of many diseases, from heart disease to diabetes.
Dr. Nicholas Gillitt, vice president of nutrition research at the Dole Nutrition Institute in North Carolina, supported Dr. Viso in a statement to the Huffington Post. It is believed that the phloem, the fibrous part, aids digestion and helps reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even colon cancer.
The phloem bundles, described as the plant's vascular system, "carry nutrients throughout the fruit."
While no specific tests have been done on this topic, experts suspect that these vascular bundles contain more and different types of fibers and structural components than expected. However, Dr. Gillitt emphasizes that we would need to consume a large amount of fiber for significant effects. He points out that unless you consume them in large quantities, these fibers are not likely to significantly impact the overall nutritional profile of the banana. Dr. Gillitt advises that all parts of the fruit are healthy and, if you find them tasty, you should consider eating these parts as well.
Do Bananas Have No Benefits If We Don’t Eat the Fibers? What Are the Health Benefits of Bananas?
Dr. Gillitt also addresses this and reminds us that the potassium in bananas helps balance blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke. The fibers, antioxidants, and magnesium in bananas support heart health.
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