So, can you juice a banana? Yes and no. Can you put a banana in a juicer? No. You can’t juice a banana in a juicer, but you can juice the peel. Bananas don’t have much water to turn them into juice. Water content for apples and pears is about 84 percent. Whereas for bananas and avocados, it’s a measly 74 percent. Bananas and avocados are dry. If you try to run either through your juicer, you’ll be left with a cleaning nightmare. But just because you can’t juice them with a juicer, doesn’t mean you can’t juice a banana using other methods.
What Can You Do With a Banana Peel?
If you are deadset on banana juice, then there are several things you can try. First, you can juice the peel. But can you eat a banana peel? Yes! Banana peels are not poisonous. They’re not only safe to eat but chock-full of nutrients. In the US, we usually throw the skin away. This adds up. It takes two years for the peel to biodegrade. In other countries, people have been tossing banana peels into cakes and curries.
What are the Benefits of Eating Banana Peels?
The skin is jam-packed with a bunch of amazing goodies. It’s rich in potassium, fiber, and magnesium. Potassium not only helps fight against heart disease but lowers blood pressure. The fiber, insoluble, and soluble will keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Do Banana Peels Help You Sleep?
Magnesium helps with hormone balance and stress. Research shows that magnesium and potassium in bananas increase relaxation. Do you have insomnia? A study conducted on elderly patients found that magnesium plays an important role in sleep. In the study, patients were given a magnesium supplement or a placebo. Those given the magnesium slept better than the placebo group. Bananas, particularly the skins, are high in magnesium.
Banana Peels for Depression?
Eating a banana skin can also make you happier. Bananas contain tryptophan. This chemical is mood-elevating serotonin. Tryptophan becomes more abundant as the peel gets riper. It’s also worth noting that as a banana gets riper, the banana’s nutrients rise. A 2009 study found that spotted bananas boosted the power of white blood cells versus green ones. But green bananas offer benefits too. They may help people with GI issues and are packed full of potassium.
Banana Peels as a Teeth Whitener
Did you know banana peels can even whiten your teeth? This is because of the banana’s potassium and magnesium. To whiten your teeth, you’ll need a small piece of a banana peel.
Just rub the peel over your teeth for a couple of minutes. Then brush your teeth like you usually would. After about two weeks, you should notice whiter, brighter teeth.
Banana Peels for Headaches
Did you know banana peels may be a cheap way to relieve a headache? One fun way to cure your headache is by taping a banana peel to your head. No really. Check out this post from the Chicago Tribune. First, cut a banana peel in half. Tape one half to your forehead and then tape the other half to the back of your head. Your headache should be gone in 20 minutes.
How to Juice a Banana Peel
So, how do you juice them? First, since you are juicing the peel, you want to use organic banana peels. Conventional bananas are hosed with a chemical cocktail of fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides. You don’t want that stuff in your juice. So, try to use organic for this. Next, give it a good rinse. Next, you want to peel the banana and take off the stalk. Finally, cut the peel into small pieces, and then throw the pieces into the juicer.
But how will it taste? Well, it’s gross. To improve your odds of having a better-tasting juice, here are some tips. First, use a ripe banana peel. They are thinner and sweeter than an unripe, green banana.
To help your bananas ripen faster, try storing them in a paper bag. This will speed up the ripening process. As bananas age, they throw off a gas called ethylene, which is what ripens the banana. When you cage bananas in a bag, you expose them to more ethylene and speed up the process.
Second, you can also juice the peel with other fruits. We like mixing our skins with pineapple or apples. These fruits can help with the bitterness.
How to Juice a Banana
You can juice a banana using a couple of other non-traditional methods. First is boiling bananas in a bag. This method is a simple process that gets you a lot of banana juice. But, we warn you, it’s time-consuming. It can take around 5 hours.
You need about 2 kg of banana. You want to peel the bananas and mash them into a puree. Then take that mush and pour it into some plastic bags. You want to let all the air out of the bag before sealing it up. Put the sealed bag in a pot of water. You want to let it hang out there for 5 hours at a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius). After 5 hours, you will have a clear liquid. Use cheesecloth or a nut bag to strain out the rest of the banana.
The Microwave Method
Can you juice a banana in the microwave? Yes. This method works best with frozen bananas. Put the frozen bananas in a bowl and cover the bowl with plastic. Microwave for a few minutes. Then, take it and throw it into a strainer. Place the strainer over a bowl and let sit there for 10-15 minutes. Then, viola, you have banana juice.
Banana Tea
There is one more thing you can try: banana tea. If you don’t want to chew on a banana peel before bed, how about drinking some banana tea? It’s tastier and easier to digest than gnawing on the peel. First, you want to start with organic bananas. Cut the ends off the banana. Place your banana in a pot and cover with 2-3 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil and let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes. Then remove the banana and drink the liquid. The longer you steep the banana, the more concentrated your tea will be. Throw on a dash of cinnamon or honey, and you got yourself a party. Many people use banana tea as a sleep aid. The magnesium, potassium, and tryptophan in the banana may help you relax, relieve stress, and fall asleep faster.
Banana Smoothie and Nicecream
If none of these suggestions sound appealing to you, then you can always just toss your bananas in a smoothie. Bananas have the power to morph your smoothie into a healthy faux milkshake. They inject sweetness and create creamy, thick texture. It can turn an astringent juice or smoothie into something downright delicious. Frozen bananas, naked, are fantastic too. You can whirl them in a blender by themselves and create yummy ice cream.
What are the Benefits of Eating Bananas?
Not only are they transformative, but bananas have a bunch of health benefits. They have it all:
- Electrolytes
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Dietary fiber
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamix C
Potassium and magnesium are essential for a strong heart. Bananas mineral content makes them an excellent choice for athletes. They can help with muscle cramps and soreness. Also, their peel is full of nutrients. Did you know that if you gnaw on a banana peel, it’ll help you fall asleep?
Related Questions:
What’s the Best Way to Peel a Banana?
You’ve probably been doing it wrong. Have you ever smashed your banana when trying to rip off the stem? Well, there’s a better way. You want to peel from the bottom, not the top. Just pinch the bottom and peel. Monkeys peel bananas from the bottom. Why? Because they’re highly intelligent and it’s way more efficient.
