Banana Peels: The New Slimming Superfood?

Believe it or not, eating banana peels can help you lose weight. Nutritionists are touting banana peels as the new weight loss super food. Now maybe you're not into eating the banana peel in its natural state, but guess what? You can throw the peel whole in your smoothie along with the whole fruit, which will add creaminess. So why are peels the new superfood? Read on. 

To start, the skins are packed with nutrients like vitamin A, lutein and other antioxidants that fight inflammation including B vitamins, which the body needs to keep the metabolism burning. Banana peels also possess a lot of soluble and insoluble fiber, even more than the fruit itself which slow digestion and boost feelings of fullness, working to lower cholesterol. 

So how do you consume them? Yes, you can eat them raw but most people say they have an unpleasant taste. If you consume the skin once the banana is fully ripe, the skin will become thinner and sweeter making for easier consumption. Some people also boil it for 10 minutes before eating it or putting it through a juicer or blender. Bananas are subjected to many pesticide so it's especially important to clean them before eating. 

The green peels are the most optimal for cooking and you'll also consume a lot of probiotics which help the body lose weight. 40% of potassium found in bananas is found in the peel. Research also shows that the green skins are high in tryptophan, serotonin and dopamine. One study even said eating two peels a day for three days could raise levels of these feel-good hormones by 15%. 

So what about the yellow peels? While there's no doubt they have less micronutrients, they have anti-cancer properties that green skins do not. Overripe skins help produce white blood cells. No matter which color you choose, try to purchase the organic versions to reduce pesticide intake.