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Do you love bananas and have you always wondered what those white fibers are that peek out at you every time you peel a banana? Then read on and you’ll find out.
Source of many vitamins and minerals
Bananas are loved by almost everyone around the world and, thanks to their unique and sweet taste, are one of the most popular types of fruit overall. They contain a whole range of vitamins and minerals, for example:
vitamin B1, B2, B6, C, and E
folic acid
magnesium, iron, and potassium
Because of these nutrients they are often recommended to pregnant women, and also to sick people who suffer from heart arrhythmia or angina pectoris.
What those white fibers are
You’ve probably noticed the distinct white fibers when eating them. These fibers are called phloem or secondary skin. Thanks to them, photosynthesis occurs in bananas. They therefore provide bananas with the nutrients and vitamins they need to grow and ripen quickly. It’s actually something similar to the circulatory system in people or animals.
The fibers are completely harmless
Their taste isn’t very strong, but you can safely eat them because they are just as nutritious as the banana itself. They also contain vitamin A and B6 and potassium, which is very necessary for the human body. They even have more fiber than the flesh itself. So feel free to add them next time to your favorite morning porridge or to a smoothie. You can also quickly judge a banana’s ripeness by them. If the fibers cling to the banana and don’t fall off by themselves, the banana is probably not yet sufficiently ripe; however, if when you peel the skin the white fibers literally fall onto you, it’s the perfect time to eat it.
You can also use the banana peel
If we wanted to consume the whole banana, we can also use its peel, which is great for many things. Thanks to the polysaccharides it contains, it quickly helps relieve symptoms of skin redness or itching. At home we can also use it as fertilizer for our flowers or for growing home vegetables. The peel contains a large amount of phosphorus and potassium, which cause faster growth and abundant flowering of plants.
So, will you think twice next time before throwing away any part of a banana?
