What are the benefits of dried bananas for the body and how to cook them at home

Dried bananas, which are also called "banana figs", are a natural and healthy dessert. They are easily absorbed by the body, saturated with biologically active substances and carry a lot of energy.

Due to its rich composition, dried bananas have multifaceted beneficial properties. Their use can improve the functioning of almost all organs and reduce the risk of developing many common diseases.

6 useful properties

Below are 6 main theses about the benefits of dried bananas (based on scientific research).

1. They have a rich composition

During the drying process, bananas are not exposed to high temperatures and harmful chemicals, which allows you to preserve a significant proportion of vitamins, minerals and even antioxidants.

Dried bananas have a high calorie content (about 519 calories per 100 grams) and are combined in the composition The following components :

Name of the substance Approximate percentage of the daily requirement (in 100 grams of product)
dietary fiber 31 %
Vitamin B1 6 %
Vitamin B3 6 %
Vitamin B6 13 %
Vitamin C 11 %
Vitamin PP 4 %
manganese 78 %
magnesium 19 %
potassium 15 %
copper 10 %
iron 7 %

Dried bananas have a low glycemic index (27) and can safely be included in the diet of people with pathologies of the glycemic background.

Dried bananas are a valuable source of vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain human health.

2. They protect against cancer

Bananas, even in dried form, contain lectins, a special group of proteins capable of suppressing the proliferation of malignant cells. They also stimulate the work of macrophages that destroy any foreign molecules in the human body.

According to the information scientists, lectins can be used not only for prevention, but also to slow down the development of any tumor processes.

Dried fruit is recommended for people who have a burdened heredity for oncological diseases.

Dried bananas contain lectins, which are effective for cancer prevention.

3. Improve the health of the heart and blood vessels

According to research, conducted under the supervision of experts from the United States, dried bananas are able to reduce the level of total cholesterol in the blood, as well as low-density lipoproteins ("harmful" cholesterol). The medicinal property is associated with the presence of phytosterols in their composition.

Also bananas capable increase the resistance of the endothelial lining of the arteries to the deposition of cholesterol crystals.

Dried bananas not only normalize the lipid profile, but also prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of arteries, which makes them very effective in preventing diseases such as coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, strokes, chronic cerebral ischemia, etc.

Also bananas rich in potassium . This trace element, according to modern scientific concepts, reduces blood pressure and prevents the appearance of extremely dangerous cardiovascular disorders (stroke and myocardial infarction).

An additional contribution is made by magnesium, which is also rich in dried bananas. It improves metabolic processes in cardiomyocytes, ensuring proper functioning of the heart muscle.

Dried bananas are a valuable source of minerals and plant compounds that prevent the appearance of menacing cardiovascular pathologies.

4. Help to lose weight

A diet rich in bananas, even dried ones, is a simple but extremely effective way to reduce body weight.

Abundance of fiber, according to American scientists, allows quickly develop a feeling of fullness.

Dietary fibers overflow the stomach and, through neurohumoral and reflex mechanisms, inhibit the activity of hunger centers in the brain. As a result, the craving for food disappears for several hours.

Dried and dried bananas play an important role in the regulation of intestinal contractile activity and the production of of enzymes , which increase the bioavailability of all vitamins and minerals consumed with food. The abundance of valuable nutrients in the diet is the key to a slim figure and good health.

Dried fruit is recommended to be included in the diet of people who are obese or overweight. The main thing is not to exceed the total recommended daily calorie intake of the diet.

Eating dried bananas is effective for weight loss due to a number of mechanisms.

5. They have an antioxidant effect

Dried bananas, like any dried or fresh fruit, are a rich source of antioxidants.

Scientists claim that bananas contain a lot of catechins and dopamine. Similar substances reduce the risk of developing any neurodegenerative diseases (Pick's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease) and play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disorders.

At the same time, exogenous dopamine is not able to change the hormonal status and psychoemotional background , as it does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier.

However, the main advantage of antioxidants is the ability to block the effects of free radicals on all cells of the body, which lead to the death or malignant degeneration of the latter.

Dried fruits from bananas are valuable sources of antioxidants that improve the health of the heart, blood vessels and the central nervous system.

6. Regulate the work of the kidneys

Any bananas, when consumed systematically, have a positive effect on the anatomical and functional integrity of the urinary system.

Swedish experts installed that dried fruit can significantly reduce the risk of developing any kidney disease. Similar data demonstrate works of scientists from the USA.

The healing effect is based on the abundance of potassium in bananas. The mineral is effective in preventing atrophy and degeneration of the glomerular epithelium of the kidneys. Even the ability of dried bananas to change the course of chronic kidney disease is emphasized.

Dried bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium, which protect human kidneys from any damage.

Safety and Harm

Dried bananas are incredibly useful, however, in isolated cases, they can cause harm to health. The most common side effects are:

  1. Obesity. Of course, bananas help to lose weight. However, if abused, they can lead to the formation of excess body weight.
  2. Dyspeptic disorders. Bananas are saturated with dietary fiber. Excessive intake of fiber into the intestines can lead to symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain and heaviness, bloating, and increased gas formation.
  3. Allergic reactions . Pathological conditions develop due to the increased sensitivity of the human body to individual plant proteins. They can manifest themselves in different ways: from skin to systemic reactions.

Dried bananas have almost the same composition as fresh ones, the difference is only in calorie content.

They can be safely included in the diet of pregnant women and nursing mothers. The pathological effect of dried fruit on the health of the fetus, as well as the breastfed child, has not been established in any of the studies conducted.

Dried bananas are a safe product. However, if used improperly, they can cause harm to health.

How to cook at home?

Dried bananas can be easily made at home. Dried fruits prepared in this way will not contain harmful chemicals, which are often added in production.

Preparatory stage:

  1. Cut bananas into thin slices. The thickness is from 3 to 5 mm. Bananas can be used both peeled and peeled. In no case should you dry the whole fruit – dried bananas will turn out.
  2. Dip each slice into a solution of lemon juice (200 ml of water per 10 ml of citrus fruit juice).
  3. Dry using one of the methods described below. In general, for such tasks, you can use an oven, microwave, electric dryer or direct sunlight.

Ways to cook bananas:

  1. In the oven. Spread the slices on a baking sheet, dry at a temperature of 100 to 110 degrees for about 5 hours. It is recommended to turn them over every 1-2 hours.
  2. In the electric dryer. Bananas are placed in the dryer and left at 40 degrees for 16-19 hours. It should be dried until each slice darkens and acquires a characteristic light crunch.
  3. Under the sun. Carefully arrange the slices on parchment paper. Keep outdoors (under a thin layer of gauze to protect against insects) for about 24 hours.
  4. In the microwave oven. Arrange the bananas on a plate. Turn on the microwave for 15-20 minutes in defrosting mode. Take out the fruit and let it stand at room temperature for 20-25 hours.

Each of the recipes described above allows you not only to preserve the valuable composition, but also to get a really healthy and natural dried fruit.

Such bananas can be easily made at home. The main thing is to carefully follow the cooking technology.

Admission Tips

It is recommended to follow a number of simple tips when eating dried fruits from bananas:

  1. Daily allowance. You should take no more than 50-70 grams of dried fruit per day, be sure to take into account the total calorie content of the daily diet.
  2. The optimal time of admission. Banana chips are best taken during the daytime. Consumption later than 2-3 hours before bedtime can cause overload of the gastrointestinal tract and disrupt sleep. Taking it in the early morning can provoke a change in the potassium-magnesium balance in the body, which will lead to fatigue and drowsiness throughout the day.
  3. Selection in the store. Dried bananas can be with or without skin. It is necessary to take dried fruits only in an airtight package, taking into account the expiration dates. The composition should not contain sugar, palm and rapeseed oils. It is often possible to find banana chips in chocolate glaze, if the chocolate is natural – this option is also acceptable to use.
  4. Storage. Dried bananas should be stored in an airtight glass container in a dark, cool place. The duration of storage is from 6 to 12 months.
  5. Combination. Dried bananas go perfectly with any dairy desserts ( yoghurts , cottage cheese), other dried fruits and nuts, jams and jams
  6. Use in cooking. Chefs add dried fruit to milk-based porridges, use it to decorate pastries. Meat dishes and salads with banana chips are less common. Liqueurs, tinctures, syrups and compotes are also common on their basis.
The described rules will help to avoid harm and get all the nutrients from banana chips.

Conclusion

Thus, dried bananas are not only a sweet dessert, but also a rich source of vitamins, minerals and natural antioxidants, which are extremely necessary for the body.

Such dried fruit will help to normalize the work of the cardiovascular and urinary systems, prevent the development of malignant and neurodegenerative diseases, and help to lose weight.