September’s featured superfood: Banana

September’s featured superfood: Banana

Bananas are one of the world’s most appealing fruits. Global banana exports reached almost 18 million tons in 2015, according to the United Nations. About half went to the United States and the European market. Americans eats about 11.4 lbs. of bananas each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, making it Americans’ favorite fresh fruit. Bananas may have been the world’s first cultivated fruit. Archaeologists have found evidence of banana cultivation in New Guinea as far back as 8000 B.C. The banana plant is classified as an arborescent (tree-like) perennial herb, and the banana itself is considered a berry. A bunch of bananas is called a hand and a single banana is a finger.

A wide variety of health benefits are associated with the curvy yellow fruit. Bananas are high in potassium and pectin, a form of fiber. They can also be a good way to get magnesium, and vitamins C and B6. Bananas’ fiber can help keep you regular and one banana can provide nearly 10 percent of your daily requirement. Vitamin B6 can also help protect against Type 2 diabetes. In general, bananas are a great weight loss food because they taste sweet and are filling, which can help curb cravings. For replenishing energy and electrolytes, bananas can be more effective than sports drinks. As it turns out that the biggest risk from a banana peel might really be slipping on it. Banana peels are not poisonous. In fact, they’re edible, and packed with nutrients. It contains high amounts of vitamin B6 and B12, as well as magnesium and potassium. It also contains some fiber and protein. It is important to carefully wash a banana peel before eating it due to the pesticides that may be sprayed in banana groves.

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