Bananas: From ancient cultivation to modern superfood
Bananas are among the most popular fruits in Europe. They originate from Southeast Asia and were introduced to Europe and South America as early as the 15th century. They are also some of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Today, bananas are mainly grown and exported from South America. They grow in clusters and are classified as berries because they develop from an ovary.
The name "banana" is derived from Arabic and means "finger," which aptly describes the shape of the fruit. Europeans especially value bananas for their taste and nutritional content. Bananas are rich in carbohydrates, making them an excellent energy source. They also contain vitamin C, B6, and potassium, which help regulate blood pressure and muscle function. Thanks to their fibre, bananas support digestion, and tryptophan can effectively improve mood.
Versatile use of bananas
Bananas come in many varieties. The popular yellow bananas in Europe can be eaten raw, but there are also plantains, or cooking bananas, which are primarily used in Asia and South America as a staple food. They are hard to digest raw, but offer a slightly creamy taste and velvety texture when cooked.
There are also textile bananas, grown mainly for their fibres. Additionally, banana leaves are used as animal feed and for roofing. In India, banana flowers are cooked and consumed like vegetables.
Benefits of regular banana consumption
Bananas are energy-rich fruits, containing between 88 and 95 calories per 100 grams (approximately 4 ounces). Thanks to their fast-digesting sugars, they provide immediate energy, making them very popular among athletes. They also contain a large amount of potassium with a low salt content, which is important information for people with high blood pressure. Furthermore, bananas are rich in fibre, which supports the gut's bacterial flora and helps with both constipation and diarrhea. The riper a banana, the more sugar and less starch it contains.
Additionally, bananas can help balance the acidic pH in the stomach, preventing heartburn and stomach ulcers. The body converts the tryptophan they contain into serotonin, the happiness hormone, which is crucial for mental well-being. It is also needed for better and more efficient rest. Women suffering from PMS can improve their well-being by consuming bananas. They also contain vitamin B6, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Research indicates that regular consumption of bananas can reduce the risk of premature death by nearly 30%.
How to store bananas
To keep bananas fresh longer, it's worth hanging them on a hook. This way, they will stay edible much longer compared to lying flat. Moreover, bananas should not be stored in the refrigerator, as they do not tolerate low temperatures. You should also be careful about what they are stored near; for example, apples accelerate banana ripening, so if you want your bananas to last longer, keep them away from apples.
Choosing bananas in the store
The colour of bananas affects their properties; for example, green bananas are hard to digest and contain toxins that disappear during ripening. Yellow bananas are much easier to digest and rich in nutrients, and although brown ones contain much more sugar, they are also richer in vitamin B6.
In supermarkets, different types of bananas are available: traditional, organic, and Fairtrade. It is worth paying attention to this because traditional bananas are often sprayed with thiabendazole (TBZ), a chemical that can penetrate the pulp. To avoid harmful substances, it's advisable to choose organic bananas.
When buying bananas, it's better to avoid those with mechanical damage or a white tip, which may indicate excessive use of chemicals. People with diabetes should also avoid ripe bananas due to their high sugar content.
Pay attention to the Fairtrade certificate
In countries where bananas are grown, labour rights differ from those in Europe, resulting in very low wages and workdays extending up to 15 hours. Workers are often exposed to chemicals, which frequently have health consequences. The Fairtrade certificate indicates that certain social, economic, and environmental criteria were observed during production.
Source: chip.de.
