Banana is one of the cheapest and most satiating fruits. Although their health benefits are widely known, some people are not aware of how the ripeness of a banana impacts its nutritional makeup.
Bananas are a great source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and antioxidants. They are known to be good for cardiovascular and digestive health.
Some people may be very specific about how ripe they like their bananas to be. Others won’t even touch a banana with a brown spot, and there are those who will try anything to get their bananas to ripen quicker.
You may be wondering what exactly is happening in the ripening process of a banana. Basically, the starch in the banana will turn into sugar. And when this happens, the peel of the banana loses chlorophyll and the green will start to turn into yellow.
Green Bananas - green bananas are youthful and full of starch. This is referred to as the “resistant” starch, and this makes your digestive system work a little harder. And since green bananas or unripe bananas are full of starch, it fills you up so quickly. It can be bitter in every bite as they contain less sugar. So, if you’re looking for a lower Glycemic Index (IG), go for a green one. Eventually starch will break down into glucose by your body, but then it will raise your blood sugar levels slowly. So, this is beneficial to people trying to avoid sugar and some people with diabetes.
Yellow Bananas – yellow bananas are softer and sweeter since it contains more sugar. They also have a higher GI, which is why it is easier to digest. As bananas age, there is a micronutrient loss always, but yellow bananas are more antioxidants developed.
Spotted Bananas – these are very ripe bananas with brown spots shown on their flesh and they taste much sweeter because they are down to their higher sugar content. The greater number of brown spots seen on bananas, the more sugar it has. But they can also be a tiny immune system booster for your body. They are so rich in antioxidants and are linked to cancer prevention.
Brown Bananas – brown bananas are practically all sugar now. Its chlorophyll has taken a new form also. That is why the antioxidant content of brown bananas has increased.
All bananas are low in fat and are very rich in potassium, vitamin B6, C, and fiber. And a banana is at around 100 calories.
No matter what is stages of bananas are, they’ve got some health benefits to offer. All bananas are actually considered under the umbrella of fruits and vegetables that is good for you. So, if you got a specific goal, it helps to know the ripeness stage of the banana that is just right for your needs.
Another fact about bananas is that they have also been found to help with anxiety and depression because of the tryptophan it contains which the body then converts to serotonin. These fruits have excellent overall health benefits and are easy to include in your diet. You can eat them alone, in smoothies, in your cereal, or with peanut butter. Not just do they add a touch of sweetness but also a whole bunch of other benefits.
NOI Kimberly Tanador, RND
References:
The truth about bananas
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7296203/The-nutrition-truth-bananas.html?ito=rss-flipboard
How a Banana’s Ripeness Affects the Nutritional Value
https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/how-a-bananas-ripeness-affects-the-nutritional-value
