Fruits not only nourish the bodies, but also feed the imagination and curiosity, because they are silent witnesses of history and bearers of legends and traditions that are intertwined with cultural identity.
In this context, there is a fruit that is popular all over the world. Getting to know it is another way to get closer to this fascinating and healthy universe.
According to 2021 data published on the Statista portal, the plantain, or banana, is the most produced fruit in the world, with 124 million tons. They are followed by watermelon (101 million), apple (93), orange (75) and grapes (73).
In Argentina, the banana (Musa paradisiaca) also reigns among fruits since its consumption reaches 12 kg per inhabitant per year, indicates the official Argentine Foods portal. Of that total, 10 kg correspond to imported bananas and only 2 to produced in the country. It is a typical fruit of subtropical climates, the provinces that concentrate production are Formosa, Jujuy and Salta.
An advantage of the banana when it comes to its sale in fruit shops, greengrocers and supermarkets is that it is there throughout the year, since national production and imports, from Brazil and Ecuador, the leading producer in Latin America, ensure its provision.
The wild banana is native to India, where it spread throughout almost the entire world, especially Central America, where there are two large producers, Costa Rica and Guatemala. The plantain, somewhat smaller than the banana, for its part, is native to Madagascar.
Both fruits are rich in carbohydrates and potassium, although plantains surpass bananas in fiber, protein, potassium and phosphorus content. The banana has more calcium, iron, zinc, copper and is more caloric than the plantain, details Ultima Hora.
Highly valued by children, for being one of the sweetest fruits, and by athletes, for its potassium content, the banana provides about 105 kcal without fat, cholesterol or sodium. In addition, it is a good source of vitamins C and B6, and magnesium.
As it has a lot of fiber, banana helps digestion and intestinal transit, as long as its consumption is accompanied by exercise and drinking water. In the intestine, its resistant starch feeds good bacteria.
On the other hand, potassium generates an electrolyte that makes the heart muscles contract. According to some specialists, this reduces the chances of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
They also claim that banana helps satisfy the appetite and mitigate the anxiety caused by eating and “snacking” something between meals, especially sugary foods or foods rich in saturated fats. This would help you lose weight.
Different publications also highlight the presence in this fruit of tryptophan, an amino acid that participates in the formation of hormones related to mood.
Although science has proven that this compound contributes to a good general condition and to reducing depression in some groups that have a personal or family history of this pathology, a review of research published in 2011 in the journal Acta Neuropsychiatrica concludes that “it is very difficult to alter blood tryptophan levels solely through dietary methods.”
This study also indicates that it would be magnesium, also present in this fruit, that would provide a considerable improvement in the energy and mood of those who consume it.
