When eating bananas, people often choose the golden, ripe ones, but have you ever tried eating unripe, green bananas? These green, firm bananas are made up mostly of starch which takes up about 80 percent of the fruit’s dry weight. And much of the starch is resistant starch. By the time the green bananas become yellow and ripe, the starch is converted to sugar, which makes them sweet. Besides, green bananas possess some benefits that ripe bananas don't have.
What Are the Benefits of Eating Green Bananas?
1. Weight Loss
Adding green bananas to diet can help you lose unwanted weight because they contain resistant starch that helps keep you full, thus helping you reduce calorie consumption. This type of starch blocks excess consumption of carbs and promotes the use of fat as an energy source, thus promoting weight loss.
2. Blood Sugar Control
One of those green banana benefits is that eating them increases the body sensitivity to insulin and helps stabilize your blood sugar levels. They also contain vitamin B6 which aids in controlling blood glucose, especially in people with type 2 diabetes.
3. Better Digestion
Green bananas contain lots of fiber and resistant starch, which aids in digestion and prevents stomach problems. They also help prevent bacterial infection in the gut. However, avoid eating unripe bananas if you are experiencing excess bloating, since this may aggravate your problem.
4. Colon Cancer Prevention
The fermentation of resistant starch in the colon by friendly bacteria reduces the number of harmful bacteria in the gut. This helps prevent the development of colon cancer and other chronic diseases of the digestive system.
5. Nutrient Absorption
Eating green bananas can increase your body’s ability to absorb nutrients – with the production of short chain fatty acids, green bananas help increase the absorption of calcium and other minerals.
6. Lower Cholesterol
The fiber and resistant starch in green bananas help reduce levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol in the blood. People with high cholesterol are recommended to eat more green bananas.
7. Healthy Heart and Blood Pressure
Low blood cholesterol levels can prevent blockage of arteries and capillaries in your heart. Eat green bananas for better heart functioning. Unripe bananas contain potassium, which can help lower high blood pressure.
8. Hemoglobin Level Maintenance
Green bananas are rich in vitamin B6, which helps maintain hemoglobin levels in the body by increasing red blood cell production, thus supporting many for vital functions in the body.
9. Efficient Metabolism
Green banana benefits include converting fat into energy, which helps increase body metabolism. They also contain nutrients like vitamin B6 which helps increase enzyme breakdown and aids in promoting good metabolism.
10. Kidney Support
Raw bananas can help maintain the body’s electrolyte balance and support healthy kidney function. Eat green bananas to prevent kidney problems, including kidney cancer.
11. Brain Function
Consumption of green bananas can boost cognitive health because they contain nutrients that support nerve health and water balance in brain cells.
12. Diarrhea Management
Green bananas contain enzymes that help control diarrhea and certain infections such as shigellosis. They are best eaten after the onset of diarrhea.
13. Depression Control
Eating raw bananas can help reduce depression because they contain tryptophan, a protein that is converted into a happy hormone called serotonin. Serotonin helps relax the mind and improve your mood.
14. Healthy Skin
Instead of buying expensive skin products, try eating raw bananas. They contain vitamin A, an antioxidant that helps keep your skin perfect and promotes regeneration of tissues.
15. Bone Health
Green bananas contain potassium, which helps ensure proper bone growth in children and maintains strong bones in the elderly.
Downsides of Eating Green Bananas
Green banana benefits are numerous, but eating them also has drawbacks. They may not be as sweet and tasty as the yellow ones; instead, they may be bitter and waxy in texture. They can make you feel gassy or bloated. Green bananas also don't contain as many antioxidants as ripe bananas.
Tasty Recipes of Green Bananas
While most people are not happy with the unripe bananas’ taste and texture, some people enjoy them when properly cooked and eaten with other foods.
1. Green Banana Salad
Ingredients
- 3 green bananas, peeled
- 1 small cucumber, sliced
- 2 medium carrots, shredded
- 1 piece avocado, cubed
- Vinaigrette Dressing (see below)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 stalk celery, sliced
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
Vinaigrette Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive/vegetable oil
- 1 clove of garlic, chopped
- 2 tbsp wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
Directions
- Heat water, salt and bananas to boil and then reduce heat.
- Simmer about 5 minutes or until green bananas are tender.
- Drain and let cool.
- Cut bananas into ½ inch slices.
- Combine bananas with remaining ingredients.
- Top with Vinaigrette Dressing. Try this recipe for green banana benefits.
2. Green Banana Chips
Ingredients
- Green bananas, peeled
- Salt
- Cooking oil
Directions
- Slice green bananas very thinly.
- Fry bananas in hot oil until light brown.
- Drain chips on paper. Salt lightly.
- Serve while warm.
3. Green Banana Pie
Ingredients
- 2 lb green bananas
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup chopped pimento
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 cup cheese, shredded
Directions
- Boil bananas with skins in water and salt until they are soft. Peel off skin while hot.
- Mash them until they have an even consistency. Set aside.
- In a pan, heat butter. Sauté the onions and pimento.
- Mix flour and milk. Add to vegetables.
- Add shredded cheese and cook until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add mashed green bananas and mix well.
- Place the mixture in a baking dish. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown.