Banana - useful properties, composition and contraindications
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Bananas have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-allergenic properties. With the help of banana components (dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline and norepinephrine), they treat atherosclerosis, hypertension, increase the activity of the liver enzyme, relieve convulsions, and small doses of banana increase the quality and quantity of sperm. The main thing is not to overuse the banana diet, so as not to get the opposite effect, and also not to provoke problems with excess weight and varicose veins.
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So, fresh banana is not very fatty, but very nutritious and energetically valuable product. As for plantains, which require heat treatment before consumption, they are rich in the same minerals and vitamins as dessert bananas. Baking such fruits allows you to preserve their useful substances, but frying reduces the amount of vitamins and makes them fatter and more nutritious.
Despite the fact that banana is 75% water, it contains many useful components. For example, this tropical fruit is very rich in potassium and thus helps the body to maintain heart and kidney health, as well as enhance focus and brain function. Scientists claim that a sufficient amount of this mineral in the body prevents the formation of kidney stones, helps to normalize blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart attack by 27% [11] . Magnesium in combination with vitamins C and B6 also has a positive effect on the work of the
In addition, banana is recommended for diarrhea . The fruit alone will not resolve the situation, but it will definitely help restore the level of potassium that is washed out of the body during an upset stomach [12] . Banana also contains dietary fiber that supports normal bowel function and plays an important role in the prevention of colorectal cancer. By the way, the antioxidants in banana can help reduce damage from free radicals, which scientists believe contribute to the development of cancerous tumors. Banana is considered an effective aid in the fight against ulcers , as it contains substances that resist the bacteria that cause this disease. It also has an antacid effect (reduces irritation of the mucous membrane, soothes the digestive system) and envelops the walls of the stomach. Bananas are healthy at any age, but are especially important early in life. So, mashed potatoes from this tropical fruit usually become almost the first meal of the baby after mother's milk. As a rule, banana does not cause allergies and provides the child's body with useful substances. Moreover, according to the observations of British scientists, if children eat one banana every day, their risk of developing asthma is reduced by 34% [12] . Eating this tropical fruit also benefits the eyes. Despite the fact that carrots are usually associated with a positive effect on the eyes , bananas also contribute to the fight against macular degeneration (retinal damage and impaired central vision), due to the presence of vitamin A. Bananas do not contain very large amounts of calcium, but it still helps to strengthen bones. In addition, certain indigestible carbohydrates increase the body's ability to absorb calcium from other sources. Finally, bananas are often and for good reason associated with a product for athletes. Minerals and fast carbohydrates saturate the body and energize and energize for an intense workout. In addition, some scientists believe that bananas can help relieve muscle cramps and relieve sore throat. However, this effect has not been scientifically proven. Similarly, the effect of bananas on human mood has not been proven. The antioxidant dopamine, obtained from banana, does not affect the hormonal background, so you should not associate its ingestion with an improvement in mood. And in the case of the amino acid tryptophan , which is transformed in the body into the neurotransmitter serotonin ("good mood hormone"), its amount in a banana is so insignificant that it can hardly affect mood
In medicine
Although bananas are not used in the pharmaceutical industry, they undoubtedly have medicinal properties that are widely used in traditional medicine. In tropical countries, where the banana is considered one of the main components of the daily diet, not only the pulp of the fruit is used to treat various diseases, but also the rest of the plant (roots, leaves, flowers, fruit peel). For example, it is believed that the infusion of flowers helps with diabetes , ulcers and bronchitis , the roots - for disorders of the stomach, dysentery, and the leaves - for skin wounds and burns [13] . In our area, the use of banana for medicinal purposes is mainly limited to the use of the fruit and its peel. Drinks and infusions With bronchitis, in combination with drug treatment, it is recommended to drink a honey-banana drink. To prepare it, peel and mash 3 ripe bananas, pour 400 ml of boiling water over them, and let the mixture brew for about 30 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of honey to the cooled product and drink half a glass 4 times a day for 5 days. A chocolate banana drink can help get rid of a sore throat. You need to mash 1 ripe banana and add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to it. Then dissolve the resulting mixture in 1 glass of boiled milk. Take the remedy at bedtime for 5 days. To combat dry cough, it is advised to knead one ripe banana, add 100 ml of orange juice, 200 ml of boiling water, 1 tablespoon of honey and cinnamon to taste. Use the product for 5-7 days. And if you brew a whole banana with a peel, like tea, adding a little cinnamon, then a cure for insomnia will come out. Traditional healers claim that 1 mashed banana with a glass of milk can help the body cope with mild allergic reactions. The drink should be consumed 2-3 times a day. And if you add a little honey to this mixture, then you get a good hangover cure. Finally, banana kvass is considered to be an assistant to the body in case of arrhythmias . For its preparation, 2 cups of chopped banana peel are placed in cheesecloth and 3 liters of boiled water are poured. Then add 1 tablespoon of sour cream, a glass of sugar and leave for 12 days. A thin layer of mold can form on the surface of the liquid, which must be removed immediately. After 12 days, 1 liter of kvass can be poured and filtered through cheesecloth, and in the remaining one add 1 liter of water and a third of a glass of sugar, leaving it to infuse for a few more days. You need to drink kvass for half a glass 2 times a day before meals
Applications
In oriental medicine
In Eastern practice, banana is considered a useful product and is used for various purposes. Particular attention is paid to the ripeness of the fruit, because this greatly affects its medicinal properties. For example, with ripening, a protein appears in the banana, which is involved in preventing the development of cancerous tumors. Conversely, unripe bananas contain resistant starch (dietary fiber), which Indian doctors believe can improve diabetes. Oriental medicine also considers banana to be an effective way to unclog blood vessels. This fruit contains phytosterols that help lower cholesterol levels. According to one of the recipes, pour 50 g of mashed banana with a cup of tea and add 2 teaspoons of honey. This remedy should be drunk in the morning and in the evening. In addition, in Eastern practice, it is not customary to combine a banana with milk, as is often done in the West. It is believed that such a compound negatively affects the digestion process, can provoke allergies, and can also cause cough and runny nose, seemingly completely unrelated to this [14] По
In scientific research
Since banana has many beneficial properties and is the main part of the diet in many tropical countries, it has long been the object of scientific research. Scientists are looking for ways to make this fruit more resistant to various diseases, as well as studying its potential as a medicinal product. For example, recently a 10-year humanitarian project by a group of Australian researchers was successfully completed, the goal of which was to bring out bananas rich in provitamin A. blind due to lack of this vitamin in the body. Now the problem will be partly solved, thanks to future harvests of "golden" bananas [15] . In parallel, the mechanisms of the production of carotenoids in bananas are being studied in the United States [16] . Also in the United States, a group of scientists from different countries is working to investigate a compound found in banana - the protein lectin (BanLec). It was found that this protein can become the basis for drugs against viral diseases ( influenza , hepatitis C, HIV , etc.). The first experiments showed that it does not allow viruses to enter the cells of the body, but at the same time it causes side effects in the form of irritation and inflammation. Slightly "improved" by scientists, BanLec will gradually be tested on animals, and then on humans [17] . In addition, British scientists are working on the creation of drugs that will use fiber from banana and broccoli . This agent is aimed at treating patients with Crohn's disease (an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract) [18] .
In dietetics
Nutritionists recommend banana for inflammatory diseases of the mucous membranes of the duodenum, stomach and mouth. It is included in dietary food for diseases of the pancreas , as well as some diseases of the liver and kidneys. With regard to diets aimed at weight loss, in this area, the attitude towards banana is ambiguous. Some believe that this fruit is too high in calories and should in no case be included in the diet of a losing weight person. Others, on the contrary, argue that banana, although high in calories, does not contain fat, so it can and should be consumed, but in moderation. In any case, during the diet, it is preferable to eat unripe bananas, which contain starch that has not yet had time to turn into sugar. The glycemic index of such a fruit is only 30 units, while a ripe banana has about 50. Thus, an unripe fruit will take longer to digest, avoid a sharp jump in sugar and bring a longer richness.
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In cooking
In some tropical countries, where banana is the basis of the diet, it is consumed not only raw or in desserts, but also boiled, deep-fried, and baked over coals. Usually, plantains are used to prepare side dishes. Africans add them to cereals, omelets, and even soups, and in China, bananas can be found in vegetable salad. Sauces, casseroles, chips are prepared on the basis of bananas, flour and ketchup are made from them. By the way, banana can also come in handy while cooking meat. In order to make it softer and more tender, experienced housewives add banana peels to the pan. When it comes to combining banana with other foods, it pairs well with sweet fruits and nuts. Some nutritionists do not see anything seditious in mixing a banana with dairy products, while others consider such a tandem unacceptable. It is best to eat a banana in between meals, separate from other meals
Beverages
Banana is used to make a wide variety of drinks, from fresh juices, smoothies and cocktails to tea, coffee, beer and gin. More traditional for us, juices and smoothies, it is recommended to drink every day between meals or after exercise. Victoria's Secret nutritionists and trainers advise making green juice from a banana, two pears , a celery stalk , a handful of spinach , lemon and honey. Coffee lovers can go beyond adding banana syrup to their drink, but also experiment with fresh fruit. So, you need to cool 350 ml of strong coffee, add 100 g of ice cream, 1 banana, a pinch of cinnamon, a little grated chocolate to it and beat everything in a blender. Then put crushed ice in a glass and pour the drink. Banana is also used in alcoholic beverages. For example, in Uganda, it is used to make the national drink waragi (homemade gin ). Waragi is usually drunk from barrels through special long straws. Banana can also be used to make a sweet wine-based cocktail. To do this, take 1 banana, 2 limes, 100 g of chocolate ice cream, 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar in a glass of white nutmeg wine and add ice after mixing.
In cosmetology
Numerous studies show that banana is useful not only for the health of internal organs and systems, but also effective when applied externally. This fruit is actively used in the development of cosmetics for skin and hair care. World cosmetic giants annually purchase tons of bananas for the manufacture of various creams, masks, lotions, etc. Banana is believed to help moisturize facial skin, help eliminate wrinkles, and contribute to fighting acne . The recipe for a moisturizing mask is simple: Mix half a ripe mashed banana with 1 tablespoon of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of vitamin E oil . Apply to cleansed face and rinse off after 30 minutes. In order to make the skin more elastic and elastic, you should mix the pulp, cut from the banana peel, and 1 yolk. This mask is kept for 5 minutes and then washed off. To treat acne, simply rub the affected area with the inside of the peel and rinse with water after a few minutes. In hair care, banana has a nourishing, moisturizing and strengthening effect. To achieve the effect and in order to avoid difficulties, it is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations: do not knead the banana with a fork, but beat with a blender until a homogeneous mass is obtained, otherwise the lumps will not wash out well; before rinsing off the mask with water, apply to the hair and lather with shampoo, otherwise the hair may remain sticky; do not keep the mask on your hair for more than 20-30 minutes (do not let it dry). For recipes, you just need to beat a raw egg with 4 tablespoons of mashed banana to make the formula . For a moisturizing effect, mix 3 tablespoons each of banana and avocado puree , a raw egg and 2 tablespoons of unrefined olive oil . In the fight against hair loss, it is advised to combine 4 tablespoons of mashed banana with 1 tablespoon of sea salt, and add a little olive oil for a thinner consistency. This mask is rubbed into the roots without applying to the entire length of the hair.
Unconventional use
Dangerous properties of banana and contraindications
Like any other food product, with a general positive effect on the body, in some situations, a banana can produce the opposite effect. This does not mean that it must be completely excluded from the diet, but under certain conditions, the consumption of this fruit should be limited. Banana actively removes fluid from the body, as a result of which there is a thickening of blood and a decrease in its flow to organs and parts of the body. Therefore, people suffering from varicose veins , men who have problems with erections, and patients with thrombophlebitis should not get carried away with eating bananas. Taking beta-blockers for cardiac diseases significantly increases the level of potassium in the body, so you should not eat large amounts of bananas rich in this mineral, especially for unhealthy kidneys. Bananas in large quantities are not recommended for irritable bowel syndrome as they can cause bloating. Uncontrolled consumption of bananas is contraindicated in obese people . People with diabetes need to be careful when choosing bananas. It is best to consume slightly unripe fruits, because when ripe, the complex carbohydrates they contain (starch and fiber) are transformed into carbohydrates with a high glycemic index. We have collected the most important points about the benefits and possible dangers of a banana in this illustration and we will be very grateful if you share the picture on social networks, with a link to our page
Interesting Facts
The territories where bananas grow are located in the same climatic zone, encircling the entire globe, and received the playful name of the "banana belt". In many of these countries, banana is not inferior in importance to our bread, but Uganda and Burundi are considered the leaders in the consumption of this fruit, where, according to statistics, each person eats about 200 kg per year. But in the Philippines, bananas are not only eaten, but also make good money on them. The Gokusen variety was bred by taking the best of 100 other
varieties, so this fruit is more aromatic and sweeter than others. It is grown at an altitude of 500 m above sea level on ecologically clean land. One fruit weighs about 200 g and costs $ 6. Naturally, growing and consuming bananas for thousands of years, the inhabitants of tropical countries could not help but introduce the image of this fruit into their culture and language. For example, if in our country, when everything is going well, they say " like clockwork ", then in India they will say "it goes like a banana skin ." There are also many African proverbs, in which, for example, a banana or its leaves are compared to a person: "the old banana leaf was once young and green too" or "a woman who gave birth to a child is like a banana tree that broke under the weight of its fruits" ... If in tropical countries the banana has long been treated favorably, then this cannot be said about Europe. For example, in Germany in the 30s. In the twentieth century, an exotic fruit was labeled “unpatriotic”. The point is that the money used to import bananas was channeled to other needs. To hide this, doctors all over the country were forced to follow orders to talk about the terrible danger of the banana. And on the fruit shops were posters "Patriots eat German apples." Nowadays, bananas are actively sold all over the world, and marketers do not get tired of coming up with new ways to increase sales. So, in one of the US supermarkets, you can buy overripe bananas with the attached recipe for banana bread. And in Korea, they came up with a package containing seven bananas of varying degrees of ripeness (from still green to ready to eat right now). The idea is that the fruits ripen gradually and by purchasing such a set, the client receives a ripe banana every day.
The banana finds its reflection in world culture. Monuments are dedicated to him (in the USA, Australia, Canada, Norway), museums are opened (in Australia, USA, Germany), and on April 10 people celebrate a day dedicated to this fruit. In addition, songs were sung about bananas (for example, "We have no bananas" by Louis Prima or "Green bananas" by Jake Owen), children's poems were written about them, they were often depicted in still lifes. And more recently, artists have appeared, like the Dutchman Stefan Bruchet, who turn banana fruits into real works of art.
Botanical description
Banana is the fruit of a large perennial herb of the genus banana (Latin musa ) of the banana family (Latin musaceae ). Although we are used to thinking of bananas as just fruits in everyday life and in cooking, botanists classify them as berries. It is these non-standard berries that are among the world's top most important crops, along with wheat , rice , corn and potatoes . According to statistics, people around the world eat about one hundred billion bananas per year [1] .
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origin of name
As for the scientific term Musa, there are two versions of its origin. According to the first, it was borrowed from the Arabic language, in which the word mauz (Arabic موز) means banana. According to the second version, the Latin name was given in honor of the Greek Renaissance botanist Antonio Muse . As for the word banana itself, it sounds the same in most modern European languages. Probably, originally the Portuguese or Spaniards adopted it from the West African language Wolof, in which it is pronounced banana [2] .
History
Numerous researchers of the origin of the banana agree that the Malay Archipelago and Oceania were the birthplace of this fruit. Scientists believe that people began to grow bananas there for human consumption in the 5th millennium BC. And some even argue that the banana was cultivated in Papua New Guinea (Oceania) as early as the 8th millennium BC. [3] Until now, disputes about the period of the appearance of bananas in Africa do not subside. So, some researchers are convinced that bananas have been grown in Madagascar for about 3 thousand years. However, more substantial evidence suggests that these fruits appeared on the African island only in 400-600 AD, thanks to the Asian colonialists. Around the same time, bananas spread throughout the Middle East, and in China they appeared a little earlier - around 200 AD, although they managed to gain wide popularity only in the twentieth century [4] . Thanks to Portuguese sailors who discovered sweet yellow fruits in Africa, banana plantations appeared in the Canary Islands, and from there the road opened for these fruits to the countries of the Caribbean, Central and South America. As for the North American continent, yellow fruits were added to the diet of local residents only in the second half of the 19th century.
The same fate befell the banana in Europe. Until the beginning of the Victorian era, bananas were not in great demand, although they were already known in the Old World (according to legend, their excellent taste struck Alexander the Great, who brought them from India). A new wave of interest in bananas arose in the 19th century in Hamburg, Germany, where this overseas fruit was brought by sailors, and swept across Europe. The French especially liked the new delicacy. Moreover, in Paris, the banana has become an integral symbol of salon life. As for Russia, the active import of bananas began under Nikita Khrushchev. Naturally, there is no need to talk about the widespread availability of these fruits, but in big cities they appeared on the shelves from time to time. However, in the 60s. the USSR's relations with one of the two main suppliers of tropical fruits, China, worsened. And another supplier state, Vietnam, was engulfed in war, so the import of bananas practically stopped. In the 70s. Leonid Brezhnev established the import of fruit from Africa and Latin America. Interestingly, unlike our time, when a yellow sweet banana can be purchased almost anywhere in the world, before it was not possible to enjoy the sweet variety of this tropical fruit everywhere. Not in all countries where bananas were grown, they were suitable for eating raw. And the taste could be noticeably different. However, in the 19th century, a stroke of luck helped spread the sweet banana fruit around the world. At the beginning of the century, the French botanist and chemist Jean-François Pouillat brought a banana variety from Martinique to Jamaica, which was later named Gros Michel [5] . This sweet tropical fruit quickly gained popularity among the locals, and with the arrival of the first cooling chambers, Jamaica began shipping the first major banana shipments to other countries. Thus, Gros Michel gradually gained worldwide fame.
Varieties
The species and varietal diversity of bananas is amazing. In addition to plants producing edible fruits, there are also decorative and wild bananas. Directly edible banana varieties are conventionally divided into dessert (with sweet pulp) and plantains (with a hard, starchy core). The former are usually eaten raw or dried, while the latter require heat treatment or are used as feed for livestock. Interestingly, almost all varieties of edible bananas grown today are varieties of the same cultigen - a cultivated plant that has no analogue in the wild. Sometimes wild bananas have a visual resemblance to the familiar yellow crescent moons, but inside they are speckled with seeds, and a tiny amount of pulp has an unpleasant taste. As for the bananas eaten, almost all existing varieties are variations of a human-bred hybrid. The work of breeders made it possible to achieve good taste characteristics and the required level of resistance to diseases and pests. Considering that the plant reproduces vegetatively, then, in fact, all bananas growing today have the same progenitor. Nevertheless, even such painstaking work is not a guarantee of safety for fruits. For example, the already mentioned Gros Michel variety, the undisputed leader of world supplies, was almost completely destroyed in the middle of the twentieth century by a disease called " Panamanian fungus ". After that, scientists bred a new variety - Cavendish , which can now be found on store shelves all over the world. Among the unusual bananas, in addition to the wild one already described, the red Cavendish is also distinguished , which, in addition to the skin of the corresponding color, has a creamy taste with raspberry notes. On the island of Java, you can find a blue banana, and in Florida and Hawaii, Ae Ae bananas grow , which in appearance (alternating dark green and light green stripes) are more like zucchini [6] . In addition, in many countries of the world, including ours, the so-called " baby banana " is popular . As the name suggests, these are small bananas (up to 12 cm), with a thin skin and creamy flesh. As a rule, they are sweeter than ordinary fruits
Contrary to popular belief, the banana fruit does not grow on a palm tree, but on the herb of the same name, which, by the way, along with bamboo, is considered the tallest herb in the world. The leaves overlapping each other in a spiral, from which the false trunk is formed, sometimes reach 12 meters in height. The color of the leaves varies depending on the type and variety of banana (completely green, two-color - purple-green or spotted - with brown blotches). While developing, the banana sheds
old leaves, and new shoots appear inside the false trunk.
The flowering period of a banana begins 8-10 months after planting. From under the ground, a peduncle sprouts through the trunk, forming a complex inflorescence of three tiers of flowers: on top are female flowers that form fruits, below are bisexual, and even below are male ones. Pollination occurs thanks to bats, birds and small mammals. Several hundred bananas usually develop from one inflorescence. The color, shape and taste of the fruit depend on the variety. The natural habitat for bananas is the territories located in the tropical and subtropical zones. Plants need high humidity, and the optimum temperature ranges from 25 to 36 ° C. In addition, bananas grow best in acidic soil, rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. On the territory of Russia, bananas are cultivated only in the vicinity of Sochi, but low winter temperatures do not allow the fruits to fully ripen. As a rule, at temperatures around 16 ° C, the growth of a tropical fruit slows down, and at 10 ° C, it stops. Long stay in unfavorable conditions can lead the plant to death. Despite the unsuitable Russian climate, a banana with edible fruits can be grown right in your house or even in an apartment, if you follow certain conditions: 1 you need to choose seedlings of dwarf varieties (for example, Musa Super Cavendish Dwarf or Musa Cavendish Dwarf), which reach a height of no more than 1.5-2 meters; 2 the best location for a tropical plant is the brightest place; 3 banana needs abundant watering and high humidity, if it is not fully ensured in the apartment, then the leaves need to be regularly sprayed. In addition, it is recommended to feed the banana every 2 weeks, as well as transplant it on time. An indication that a plant is ripe for a larger container is usually the roots that become visible from the drainage holes. As a rule, a banana begins to bear fruit when it has reached a size suitable for pots with a volume of 30-50 liters.
Selection and storage
Bananas are usually harvested unripe and then transported in refrigerated chambers around the world. However, the beauty of this fruit is that it ripens even when it is already plucked from the branch. When choosing bananas, you should start from your goal. If you plan to eat or use the fruit in the next 1-2 days, you can use bananas with brown dots on the peel. These fruits are already ripe and ready to eat. However, brown or black spots indicate over-ripeness and the beginning of the process of rotting of the fruit.
Naturally, you should check that the banana peel is firm, without visible damage. Too soft core or light brown spots on it are a sign of overripe. If you need bananas for future use, then you can take fruits with a greenish peel. You can also use them in this form, but they have a more viscous and less sweet taste, so it is better to let them ripen. When it comes to storing bananas, a temperature of 7-10 ° C is suitable for ripe fruits, and 12-14 ° C for ripe ones. Bananas are not advised to keep in the refrigerator, because at low temperatures the peel quickly turns black (although this has no particular effect on taste). By the way, the advice common on the Internet - to wrap banana tails in cling film for its longer storage - turns out to be not very effective in practice.
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