Plantain which is a major group of bananas is found in tropical areas. It is one of the most eaten tropical food crops.
This edible fruit has more starch than the common dessert banana and is not eaten raw.
Its starchy content allows one to cook this dish when they are green. it can either be boiled, fried or roasted, in savory dishes. The ripe fruits are mildly sweet and are often cooked with coconut juice or salt to add taste. Plantains can be dried for later use in cooking or ground for use as a meal, which can be further refined to flour and are best stored in a dry place.
This sweet fruit has nutritional benefits such as iron, and some people do like it because of its sweet taste especially when ripe. Plantains are a carb-rich food and also a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They also contain antioxidants that fight free radicals. vitamin C which is on a good level, supports immune function. And also its vitamin B6 content may reduce cardiovascular risk and improve mood.
There are many more nutritional value of Plantain but here are the 5 most important health benefits of plantain which are;
- Aids Digestion: Plantain has very rich fiber content which will help to prevent conditions that irritate the bowel and also prevent constipation, bloating, and other related health conditions associated with improper digestion and also reduce appetite by increasing fullness. Plantain consumption can greatly help in preventing constipation.
- Strengthening stronger bones: Unripe plantain is very rich in calcium that strengthens our bones and also helps build stronger muscles, teeth, and nails. It also helps in preventing diseases like osteoporosis which means the weakening of bones and also causes fractures. therefore a regular intake of plantain is very important for the development of strong bones and muscles.
- Reduce Menstrual discomfort: vitamin B6 which is found richly in plantain will help greatly in relieving menstrual pain. It aids in controlling the symptoms of premenstrual such as bloating and depression. Also, the presence of vitamin B6 in plantain lowers the risk of miscarriages in women. Due to the presence of vitamin B6 and potassium in plantain, eating it regularly, especially for women helps in menstrual discomfort.
- Improves Sexual Health: Nutrients contained in plantain helps greatly in sexual health performance. Regular eating of plantain boost male fertility. it helps increase libido, and the vitamins and other minerals it contains helps to improve the general health as well. unripe plantain with ginger and garlic improves good sexual performance.
- Provides energy to the body: being a good source of carbohydrates especially when ripe, it, therefore, is an energy-giving food. The carbohydrate found in this fruit is a “complex carbohydrate” which includes starch, fiber, and sugar. The breaking down and absorption of such carbohydrates are slow which gives fullness thereby reducing appetite and making one lose weight.
