15 unusual uses for banana peels

Strange Facts About Me: I can’t stand bananas. That said, they still have their uses, like banana bread, as a sleep aid and to keep aphids away from roses. Wait… what?? Seriously, banana peels have a few surprises.

What does banana peel have?

Bananas are high in carbs, potassium, and vitamins C and B. The peel also boasts an impressive health profile. Here is the breakdown of nutrients:

• Potassium
• Calcium
• Iron
• Manganese
• Brom
• Phenolic compounds
• Carotenoids like beta-carotene and lutein

You will also find trace amounts of some inert metals, including strontium. Our bodies naturally have some strontium, which can help keep teeth and bones strong.

We need carotenoids for healthy vision. A 2012 article in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examine the role of carotenoids in eye protection. Lutein helps our eyes filter light and protects tissues from sun damage, researchers say. Lutein and other carotenoid-rich foods have similar effects on the skin and may help protect from sun damage.

Health benefits of banana peel

Various cultures have used banana peels for centuries to help address health concerns, and now we have established science to support it.

Anti-germ banana peel

Like elderberry syrup, oregano, and other botanicals, banana peels are packed with antioxidant phenols. Not only that, banana peels have very strong antimicrobial properties. Researchers found compounds in banana peels that fight a variety of bacteria that cause wound infections. In one study, it was shown to be effective against the yeast Candida albicans.

Antioxidants in banana peels

In 2011, researchers looked at the antioxidant capacity of different types of banana peels. They found that green, unripe banana peels had more antioxidants than ripe ones. The higher the antioxidant level, the more free radicals it can do.

That’s not to say that ripe peels don’t have their benefits… they inhibit the action of nitric oxide better. Nitric oxide acts as a signaling molecule in the body and plays an important role in a number of bodily functions. However, too much nitric oxide in the body leads to inflammation and chronic diseases. Researchers are exploring how inhibiting nitric oxide can lead to more positive outcomes in diseases.

Liver and prostate support

The carotenoids and antioxidants in bananas can also help with other organ systems. In a 2016 study in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, Researchers looked at banana peels for liver protection.

Polyphenols from banana peels increase glutathione, the body’s main detoxification hormone. The peel also reduces inflammation and protects liver cells.

According to the Mayo Clinic, as men age, the prostate gland enlarges, causing bladder problems. Research indicates that banana peel extract may support prostate health.

A great way to detox

Scientists are exploring banana peels as a way to purify water. They are thought to act as an adsorbent and binder to heavy metals and pesticides, such as charcoal.

In 2013, scientists used banana peels to remove pesticides from water. A 2020 article in BMC Chemistry also found banana peel powder removes the toxic heavy metal chromium from the water.

So what does all this mean for us? While I won’t be putting banana peels in the water dispenser anytime soon, eating banana peels can help with detoxification.

Banana peel for better sleep

Both the banana and the peel contain amino acids that our bodies need to make melatonin, the sleep hormone. According to an article in Forbes:

“Potassium and magnesium are natural muscle relaxants, and bananas are a good source of both. They also contain the amino acid L-tryptophan, which is converted to 5-HTP in the brain. 5-HTP is then converted to serotonin (a relaxation neurotransmitter) and melatonin.”

How to use banana peel

Of course, the big question is how do we harness the benefits of banana peels? Fortunately, you don’t have to chew raw, unpeeled bananas to see results. You can even use banana peels in an organic garden or for pets.

Bananas in the garden

Since banana peels are packed with nutrients, they have a number of useful uses in the garden. Here are a few ways to incorporate banana peels into your gardening routine:

• Seedling food- Add banana peel pieces to the hole when planting seedlings. This gives them a nutritional boost when they’re just starting out.
• Bed bugs – Place banana peels around the base of rose bushes and other plants with aphids (see this post for more). Cover with a little soil to prevent entry of foraging animals.
• Fertilizers – Mix the dried mashed banana peels into the soil or sprinkle them on top. Worms also like to eat them.
• Attract butterflies – Add some banana peels to your butterfly garden to attract these beautiful insects.
• Garden tea – Make brewed tea with banana peel and warm water. After soaking for a few days, use banana tea to water your garden plants.
• Banana vinegar Some plants, like blueberries, thrive in more acidic soil. You can ferment banana peels and then dilute the resulting mixture with water. Use this mixture to water sour-loving plants. The recipe is similar to how apple cider vinegar is made, but with bananas instead of apple peels.
• Compost – Like all fruits and vegetables, bananas are enriched with compost. Here’s how to get started.

Bananas as animal food

Because of their high nutritional content, scientists are studying banana peels as fodder for livestock. Researchers found that banana peels could safely replace up to 100% of rabbits’ conventional grain-based diets.

You can also add banana peels to chicken feed. While some chicken owners feed their chickens with the parent banana, you can also use the peel. Chickens may not eat the banana peel as a whole, but can be chopped, dried, and added to their normal food.

Recipes with banana peels

It’s important to note that most bananas are treated with pesticides, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. While they didn’t make the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list, they certainly weren’t clean. Since the peel is the part that gets sprayed, it’s best to choose organic bananas here. Fortunately, they are widely available and very affordable.

Here are some other ways to incorporate more banana peels into your diet.

Banana peel smoothie

It’s so cool and simple: You can add some banana peels (along with fruit!) to smoothie recipes!

Banana peel powder

Banana peels are dried and ground into a powder rich in antioxidants. Add it to almost any baked goods to partially replace the flour in the recipe. However, too much banana powder can cause a bitter taste, according to 2018 research in Journal of Science and Agriculture Food.

You can make your own or get banana peel powder here. This antioxidant-rich flour works well in muffins and cakes such as:

Banana tea

One of the simplest ways to get more banana peels in your life is to cook banana tea. Shredded fresh or dried banana peels both work. Remember that green peels have more antioxidants but also take longer to dry. This is a banana tea recipe.

Banana peel bacon

Yes, this really is a thing! Marinated with spices and then grilled, the banana roll pork belly is sweet, smoky and chewy.

Banana peel chili sauce

Popular in tropical cultures, banana peel chutney is a great way to get more uses out of your bananas. Here’s the recipe for an authentic banana peel chutney.

Unusual uses for banana peels

As you can see, banana peels have many wonderful uses for plants, insects, and of course people. Packed with nutritional and health benefits, we’d probably think twice now before throwing away that crust!

What would you try using a banana peel for first? Any other banana peel tips we missed? Drop us a comment and let us know!

Source:

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