Unexpected health benefits of banana peels

According to Vietnamese traditional medicine (TM) experts, after cleaning, banana peels are not only safe to eat but also bring many health benefits.

Bananas are a sweet, soft fruit popular all over the world . However, not everyone knows that the thick, fibrous peel of bananas is also a source of nutrition, bringing many values ​​for health and beauty.

Vitamin A found in banana peels and bananas can help keep your eyes healthy.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Health Values ​​of Banana Peels

According to Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Quy (Traditional Medicine Dermatology - Aesthetics Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Campus 3), compounds such as phenolic, alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin, saponin, glycoside, carotenoid, sterol, triterpene and catecholamine isolated from banana peel have been reported to have antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Banana peels are also known to have the potential to help treat depression. The high tryptophan content in bananas, combined with the B6 in banana peels, may help reduce some symptoms of depression and other mood disorders. Vitamin B6 has been shown to improve sleep, which can have a positive effect on mood over time.

Besides, vitamin A is abundant in banana peels and bananas can help keep your eyes healthy.

Banana peels are also rich in fiber, which can help regulate the digestive system and relieve constipation and diarrhea. This may be an especially important benefit of banana peels for people with Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

Referring to the beauty uses of banana peels, Dr. Quy said that in a small study by Lambung Mangkurat University (Indonesia) conducted by Dr. Dwiana Savitri and colleagues, it was shown that banana peels can support the treatment of acne under the supervision and monitoring of medical experts.

Banana peels are beneficial for people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Shutterstock

Specifically, Dr. Savitri and his colleagues conducted an experiment using ripe banana peels to rub on acne and leave it for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This process was repeated daily for 7 days on 45 female subjects and showed a significant change in the severity of acne. However, more large-scale studies are needed to prove this effectiveness.

Talking about the anti-cancer properties of banana peels, Dr. Quy said that polyphenols, carotenoids and other antioxidants found in banana peels can also help fight cancer-causing free radicals.

However, current studies on the anti-cancer properties of banana peels have been conducted in test tubes and not in humans. Therefore, more research is needed to understand whether banana peels can reduce the risk of cancer in humans.

Some folk tips with banana peels

In folk medicine, there are ways to use banana peels such as: Rubbing banana peels on the face to brighten the skin and reduce wrinkles; applying banana peels on the eyes to reduce eye bags; using banana peels as a moisturizer to hydrate the skin; rubbing the peels on acne scars to help them fade; treating psoriasis by applying banana peels on the psoriasis area to moisturize and reduce itching; removing warts by sticking a piece of ripe banana peel on top and leaving it overnight...

However, these tips have not been clinically proven to be effective. Therefore, people should consider this because in some cases, folk tips may be effective for one person but not for another due to differences in body type.

Notes when using banana peels

Dr. Quy also noted that using banana peels can cause some side effects such as irritation and allergies, especially for people with sensitive skin. People who are allergic to latex may also be allergic to banana peels.

In addition, due to the relatively high sugar content in banana peels, eating too much can cause acne. Using banana peels improperly can also promote the growth of bacteria because the wet surface of the peel easily creates an environment for bacteria to grow and develop.

According to Dr. Quy, although banana peels are safe to eat, people should not use them as a medicine to self-treat diseases. When having any skin or health problems, patients should go to a medical facility for examination and not miss the golden time to treat their diseases.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-loi-ich-suc-khoe-khong-ngo-cua-vo-chuoi-185230708142444202.htm