Green banana benefits

Green banana Vs Yellow banana

When it comes to bananas, most of us just grab them on the go; after all, as they are everyone's favorite fruit and the perfect 100-calorie goody. So, how do you pick your banana fruit? Because, when you look at this fruit, you either think that, 'oh, it’s too ripe' or 'too green'. A banana has two major stages, ripe and unripe. The nutritional value of a banana actually changes as it ripens? Different maturity stages of bananas give different health benefits to your body. 

Since ripe bananas are sweeter than unripe ones, they are unsuitable for people affected with Type 2 diabetes.

Unripe bananas

Features of bananas 

Unripe bananas are waxy and green

Major benefits of consuming unripe/Green  bananas

People typically eat bananas when the fruit is yellow and ripe, although green and unripe bananas are also safe to consume. They also have lots of health benefits.

In this writing, we will explore these benefits and some potential side effects and share a few quick recipes to eat green bananas.

Green Banana Calories

Typically, 100 grams of green banana has 89 calories.

Green Banana Benefits

1. Regulate Blood Pressure

Green and unripe bananas are rich in potassium. It is a vital mineral required by the body for blood purification, proper functioning of the nerves, and better muscle movement.

Potassium also acts as a vasodilator. It lowers the tension in the blood vessels and arteries. As a result, it helps regulate blood pressure and prevent heart attacks.

2. Aids Digestion

What makes green bananas beneficial for digestion is the high amount of resistant starch in them. The dietary fibre in such bananas helps prevent issues like bloating and constipation. Additionally, they also boost the functioning of the digestive tract.

3. Improves Metabolism

Green bananas are loaded with essential nutrients and minerals that optimise metabolism by providing the body with a complex carbohydrate base.

4. Beneficial For Weight Loss

As mentioned above, green bananas are full of dietary fibre. While it takes the longest time to digest, fibre induces the feeling of fullness and satiety. When one feels full in the stomach, cravings tend to be suppressed. As a result, you don’t overeat.

That is why such bananas can be beneficial for individuals on a weight loss diet.

5. Good For Diabetics

Bananas generally have low sugar content. The glycemic index of green bananas is somewhere between 30 and 50. Food items with a glycemic index of less than 55 get digested and metabolized slowly. This way, they curb sudden surges in blood sugar levels.

Plus, green bananas contain vitamin B6 that helps control glucose, especially in people with type-2 diabetes. That is why they are beneficial for individuals with diabetes.

6. Enhance Nutrient Absorption

Including green bananas in your diet can improve the health of your colon. That is because such bananas contain short-chain fatty acids. This category of fatty acid enhances the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

7. Gut-Friendly

Green bananas are among the best foods for supporting beneficial bacteria. Such bacteria live in the intestines and facilitate the growth of gut-friendly microbes in the digestive system.

8. Helps Prevent Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is generally caused by a virus or bacteria. Green bananas are antibacterial and antifungal. That is why their consumption helps fight off germs causing the infection.

9. Vital For Healthy Hair

Green bananas are rich in vitamin C and vitamin B6 that can be super beneficial for your hair. Plus, they contain potassium that softens the hair and facilitates growth.

The natural oils present in this fruit help prevent hair breakage and maintain their natural

10. May Help Promote Cardiovascular Health

As mentioned above, green bananas are a rich source of resistant starch that helps keep cholesterol in check. Low cholesterol levels are linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular health.

That is why moderate consumption of green bananas may help promote cardiovascular health.

11. Green Banana Benefits For Skin

Green bananas are a lesser-known aid to nourish your skin because of their hydrating nature. Women with dry skin can also depend on them to make their skin softer and supple. Such bananas contain Vitamin A that smoothes the rough texture by healing dehydrated skin.

Eating Green Banana During Pregnancy

Green bananas can be eaten throughout pregnancy. As they are rich in carbohydrates, green bananas will give you much-needed energy during this phase. Moreover, they also provide a boost to haemoglobin levels.  

Green Banana Vs Yellow Banana

Bananas generally get harvested while they’re still green. That is why you’ll find bananas in this colour in the market. But color isn’t the only difference between green and yellow bananas. Here are some of their other differences.

Composition of green banana

These bananas are higher in starch. 

They contain comparatively lesser starch. 

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How to Eat Green Bananas

1.  Eat them as they are

Consume them just as they are, or the same as you would consume a ripened banana. Green bananas are difficult to de-skin, so be sure to use a knife to do so.

2. Grate them into smoothies or drinks:

If you want to minimize the funkiness of green bananas when eating them, you should try grating them into smoothies, soups, sauces, fruit salads, or adding them to ice cream or porridge, depending on your taste.

3. Make the green banana sauce

Sauté garlic and oil until they brown, then add veggies like tomatoes and taro roots. Next, dice or slice the banana fruit, season to taste, and add milk or water. Cook for a few minutes and serve. This is a version of the matoke recipe popular in southwestern Uganda.

Side Effects of Eating Green Banana

While green bananas are usually considered healthy, they can cause minor discomfort in some individuals. This would include digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, and constipation.

• If you are allergic to latex, then it’s best to be careful with such bananas as green bananas contain proteins similar to the allergy-causing proteins in latex.
• Unripe bananas are ideal for people suffering from high blood sugar levels. Therefore, if you have diabetes but like bananas, then you should stick to unripe bananas.
• They are incredibly rich in probiotic bacteria, which is necessary for maintaining gut and colon health.
• Moreover, green bananas can absorb nutrients like calcium much better, and therefore they are always a good option for health-conscious people.

Cons of consuming unripe bananas

• They contain around 40 percent starch.
• They are bitter and due to their low glycemic index makes them difficult to digest

The level of antioxidants increases as the fruit ages and therefore, unripe bananas are low in terms of their antioxidant content as compared to the ripe variety.

Green bananas are also known to cause bloating and gas formation owing to higher resistant starch content.

(Read also bad cholesterol)

All in all, both types of bananas come with a set of benefits. If you don’t have any existing medical condition, you should alternate between both variants to enjoy their respective health benefits. But in case you have diabetes, it is best to avoid ripe bananas. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!