Thursday, March 28, 2024

Banana 

                      

      Banana                                Bunch of bananas                                       Banana trees

 

Banana, the world's most popular fruit, is a fruit from the herbaceous plants of the family Musaceae which are cultivated throughout the tropics.

The fruit averages 125 g, of which approximately 75% is water and 25% dry matter content. Bananas are a valuable source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium. Plantains are a variety of bananas which is a firmer, starchier fruit and mostly used in cooking. Although the wild species have fruits with numerous large, hard seeds, virtually all culinary bananas have seedless fruits. Bananas are classified either as dessert bananas or as green cooking bananas.

Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colours when ripe, including yellow, purple and red. Bananas can be eaten raw though some varieties are generally cooked first. Depending on the variety and ripeness, the flesh can vary in taste from starchy to sweet, and texture from firm to mushy. Unripe or green bananas and plantains are used for cooking various dishes such as banana pudding and are the staple starch of many tropical populations.

Bananas are a popular dessert in Malaysia, Singapore and Yarlpanam. Banana fritters can be served with ice-cream as well. Bananas are also eaten deep fried, baked in their skin in a split bamboo, or steamed in glutinous rice in some countries. Bananas may also be cut and dried and eaten as a type of chip. Dried bananas are also ground into banana flour. Banana chips are a snack produced from dehydrated or fried banana or, preferably, plantain slices, which have a dark brown colour and an intense banana taste.
In addition to the fruit, the flower of the banana plant is cooked with spices in South India and Yarlpanam and is delicious. The tender core of the banana plant's trunk is also used in certain countries for cooking. The leaves of the banana are large, flexible, and waterproof; they are used in many ways, including as umbrellas and to wrap food for cooking, carrying and packing cooked foods, and they are used to build houses in third world countries. In south India and Yarlpanam food is traditionally served on banana leaves in homes and some restaurants also follow the practice. Some farmers prefer to grow banana plants only for their leaves.

Nutritional Value:

A banana is a very nourishing fruit that grows in the tropics and is popular throughout the world. Most bananas are eaten as a snack or in cereal, fruit cocktails and salads. Bananas are also used in cakes or pies.

Bananas are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fibre. Vitamins and minerals are abundant in the banana, offering 123 I.U. of vitamin A for the large size. A full range of B vitamins are present with .07 mg of Thiamine, .15 mg of Riboflavin, .82 mg Niacin, 0.88 mg vitamin B6, and 29 mcg of Folic Acid. There are even 13.8 mg of vitamin C. On the mineral scale Calcium counts in at 9.2 mg, Magnesium 44.1 mg, with trace amounts of iron and zinc. Bananas have no fat, cholesterol or sodium.

Banana is one among the healthiest of fruits. Bananas are great for athletic and fitness activity because they replenish necessary carbohydrates, glycogen and body fluids burned during exercise. Banana is clean and is easily carried and readily available as a snack and is available all year-round and everywhere. It can be eaten by everyone irrespective of age.

Medicinal Use:

High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.

This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect food for helping to beat blood pressure.

High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action.

One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey.

The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body so if you suffer from heart-burn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronic ulcer cases. It also neutralises over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

It is known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. Also bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking.

Eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%! It is claimed that Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking.