Although the health benefits of bananas are widely recognized, the peel’s powerful qualities should also not be overlooked. While most of us discard the banana skin after eating it, some nations, like India, use it for decades to reap the nutritional benefits.
Here is how to use the banana peel:
1. BANANA PEEL FOR TEETH WHITENING
Rub your teeth with the inner side of a banana peel every day for two weeks. Soon you will notice the positive results.
2. REMOVE SKIN WARTS
If you have skin warts, this problem can be solved with a banana peel. Not only you will remove them with it, but also you will prevent their appearance in the future. Place a banana peel piece over the wart on your skin and fix it with a bandage. Let it sit overnight. Continue to do this process until you totally remove the wart.
3. ACNE AND WRINKLE-FREE
The banana is excellent for total skin care. The reason is the present antioxidants and anti-aging characteristics. Bananas hydrate and nourish the skin. Rub the banana peel on the skin, particularly in the irritated and problematic areas. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
4. CURING PSORIASIS
Unfortunately, this skin disease can’t be totally cured with banana peel, but it can soothe the symptoms of psoriasis.
5. BANANA PEEL AS AN ANALGETIC
Rub painful spots on your body with a banana peel. It is an excellent analgetic.
6. BANANA PEEL FOR LOSING WEIGHT
You already know that bananas contain potassium. But did you know that a great deal of that potassium is present in banana peel? It can contain around 40% of the potassium.
This mineral is needed if you want to lose weight. It boosts metabolism, so you burn more calories and muscles have enough energy. If you have energy, you can be more active.
However, banana peels contain many other things, such as antioxidants, fiber, B-vitamins, vitamin A.
Fiber is more present in the peel, than in the banana itself. Fiber keeps you full for a longer period.
Now you know that banana peels have some seriously awesome weight-loss benefits. And really, it’s not as strange as it sounds. Give the banana peel recipe below a go and you’ll wonder why the heck you’ve been tossing the skins in the trash your entire life.
BANANAS SKINS WITH BLACK-EYED PEAS:
- 4 green banana peels
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Salt
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- ½ c black-eyed peas (if using fresh, soak overnight)
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened grated coconut
- Juice of one lime
1. Chop peels into small pieces and boil in water with turmeric and dash of salt. To prevent sap from sticking to your pot, add a few drops of oil to the water. Bring to a boil, and then simmer until skins are tender. Drain, reserving water for a later use (we like to use it to cook rice or as a base for soup).
2. If using fresh black-eyed peas, boil until tender. If using canned, rinse and drain beans.
3. Heat coconut oil in skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and cook until they begin to pop.
Add boiled peels and black-eyed peas, stir, and cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in coconut. Add salt to taste and finish with lime juice. Serve.
GREEN OR YELLOW BANANA PEEL?
Cancer fighting characteristics are more present in ripe bananas and they can help your body create white blood cells.
But if you want to lose weight, green peels are better because they contain more probiotics. Probiotics help your digestive health. Also, it has been shown that green peels increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine.
I know it would be hard for you to eat the peel, but there are some ways you can do that.
For example, make a smoothie. Throw away both ends of the peel and put it in a blender, adding some coconut milk, cinnamon, ice, and any other ingredient you like. If you choose this method, use yellow peels because they have a banana flavor and are sweeter.
The other option for ripe bananas is tea. To prepare the tea, remove the ends and boil the peel in a pot for about 10 minutes. Strain it and enjoy your banana tea. If you want your tea sweeter, add a little honey.
However, green bananas are better for cooking. You can use green banana peels to prepare chutneys or curries, or even use them instead of potatoes. The only thing you need is being creative. Feel free to get creative.
Buy organic bananas and clean them thoroughly before using.
