People these days are becoming more aware of minimising kitchen waste and using even the peels or other parts of a vegetable or a fruit instead of throwing them away. Banana stems are one such part of the banana fruit that is often thrown away without even considering any of its potential benefits for users.
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Many people don't know that the banana stem is equally wonderful and shares pretty much the same nutritional benefits as the banana fruit. Interestingly, it was used by people in ancient India to cure a lot of body ailments because of its nutritional benefits. India, being the largest producer of bananas in the world, has an abundance of bananas and banana stems. Instead of throwing these banana stems away, here are some reasons why you should be consuming them.
* Fibre
The stem of a banana is extremely high in fibre, which makes it great for digestion and makes a person feel fuller for a long time. Just having a little bit of banana stem early in the morning can be the right start to the day. As per a study published in the journal Foods in 2022, banana stems are very rich in fibre and can help detoxify the body. It is also great for people who are trying to manage obesity and control calorie intake.
* Good For Constipation
If a person is feeling constipated and suffering from the problem of irregular stools, then they can try having some banana stems. As banana stems are rich in fibre, they can help maintain motion and improve the quality of stools. The right way to have a banana stem is to make juice out of it without straining the pulp from the juice. The stem of the banana also has detoxifying capabilities, which is instantly going to make a person feel better.
* Flavonoids
The stem of banana is also very rich in bioactive and phenolic compounds as well as flavonoids. As per a study published in the Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research in 2022, banana stems and flower extracts are both rich in multiple flavonoids. Being rich in flavonoids, they can help maintain the cardiovascular health of the body and also prevent cholesterol-related problems.
* Antioxidants
Bananas, being a solid source of bioactive compounds, also have antioxidant, anti, microbial, and anti-cancer properties. In a study published in the Journal of Springer Nature in 2022, it was found that having banana stems regularly can be a great source of relief for stomach-related ailments because of its antimicrobial nature. Also, the high amount of antioxidants in the banana stem helps in fighting against alien agents in the body. Thus, the consumption of banana stems can be extremely beneficial in the long run.
* Detoxification
Making juice from a banana stem can be a great idea for people who are looking for a detoxification drink to have early in the morning. Most often, people spend a lot of money making green juices, drinks from various powders, and different types of tonics. While some of them might work out, most of the detoxifying ingredients are already available in your kitchen. Using the stem of the banana is not only an effective way of reducing kitchen waste but also flushing out harmful toxins from the body by simply spending five minutes making the juice.
* May Prevent Kidney Stones
The stem of the banana may also help in preventing the formation of kidney stones in the body. The high potassium content in the stem of the banana slows down the formation of calcium crystals or lumps in the kidney. Many people like to have the power of a banana stem with some cinnamon powder and add it to lukewarm water to enjoy the maximum benefits. People should understand that this is not a cure but simply a way to prevent kidney stones.
* How To Make Banana Stem Juice
To make banana stem juice, one has to grate banana stems into fine pieces and then add them to some water. The water must be brewed on medium heat until the water starts changing its colour. Now, one has to put the heat off and transfer the mixture into a glass. It is more beneficial to have this juice with pulp itself. However, if one doesn't like the pulp, then it can be strained, and one may have the juice.