The Benefits of the Banana Flower
Bananas have been popular in the West since their inception and were once so popular that the term “banana republic” was invented to describe the economy that grew out of the fruit. What many people do not know is that bananas are not the only edible part of the banana bush and that banana blossoms also have a number of benefits.
The banana flower contains a compound called ethanol, which has antimicrobial properties and has been used by the indigenous people for hundreds of years to treat problems such as wounds and skin infections. Ethanol can help kill bacteria and is also a key factor in reducing the spread of disease – the transmission of parasites such as malaria, which is a major health threat in many tropical countries.
The flower is rich in compounds such as tannins and flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are important for the health of the body, as they reduce stress on the cells of the body and can help slow down the aging process. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in many countries around the world.
A potassium-rich diet has been shown to help protect the heart, and the banana blossom itself is an excellent source of potassium. Potassium replaces sodium, which most people consume far too much in their diet. It is therefore a great natural way to reduce the risk of heart disease and other heart diseases such as stroke and heart attack.
Unfortunately, stress is an inevitable part of modern life, and for people who suffer from stress, banana blossom is a good choice to correct this. Banana blossoms have two types of fiber, both of which have soluble fiber, which speeds up digestion, makes the process more efficient, replenishes the stool and reduces the risk of constipation.
Sleep is an important part of reducing the toll stress takes on the body, but a diet of banana blossoms can help. The flower is rich in magnesium, which acts naturally on the body and also promotes a restful sleep.
In the long term, many women suffer from irregular periods or periods of light, and a common cause of this problem is low progesterone levels. Banana blossoms help boost the body’s progesterone levels, regulate a woman’s hormones and thus ensure a more regular menstrual cycle.
As banana flowers contain a high fibre content, they help the body break down food more slowly and prevent blood sugar from soaring, which can lead to higher blood sugar levels and higher insulin levels in the blood. People with diabetes can really struggle day in, day out to not keep their sugar levels down and this can cause problems with heart disease and diabetes.
Anemia is a serious disease in which the body is unable to produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to all cells in the body. The body needs iron for this, and this is where banana blossoms, rich in iron, come into play. Along with a high iron diet, this can help treat anemia in a natural way and build up your body’s energy levels. Iron must also be present in the blood, which the body needs to build up the red blood cells in the first place.