Many banana aficionados are quick to discard the weird bits that emerge when peeling the fruit. However, there are several excellent reasons to enjoy them. These stringy pieces, known as phloem bundles, are perfectly edible and surprisingly nutritious.
Bananas Are Healthy!
Bananas are loaded with sweetness. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a medium-sized banana contains just under 100 calories, along with an abundance of essential nutrients such as potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, and magnesium, as well as phytonutrients and antioxidants.
The phloem bundles are essentially the plumbing of a plant, functioning as tubes that transport sugars and other photosynthesis-derived products to their destinations. These tubes are comprised of more complex types of fiber than the rest of the banana because they must be exceptionally sturdy to perform this crucial function.
Nicholas D. Gillit, Chief Scientific Officer at BerkleyRD and former vice president of nutrition research and director of the Dole Nutrition Institute, says that even though they have not tested phloem bundles specifically, their nutritional value can vary.
Since they are designed to perform a specific function and likely have a defined structure to support that function, they are likely to have a different compound profile than a regular banana. They most likely contain a greater variety of fiber types and structural components required for their function. That said, their nutritional profile for humans would likely differ.
Many People Don’t Like Banana Strings
Banana threads are disliked not only by picky people but also by animals. Numerous viral videos demonstrate that primates also remove the banana’s strands. Bananas, however, are a cultivated domesticated plant, so wild primates never actually encounter them unless they are near human settlements where they are grown.
The same applies to banana peels. Despite being extremely tough and bitter, they are edible and rich in several essential nutrients. If the thought of eating banana peels does not appeal to you, a good method to avoid wasting banana peels is to soak them in water for a few days. This will enable some of the nutrients to dissolve into water, making it an excellent indoor plant nutrient solution.