Bananas. Delicious and full of potassium and other great nutrients. We LOVE bananas. But did you know that banana stems contain amazing health benefits too? Banana stems are considered a vegetable in Thai cuisine; however, the rolled banana stem is actually the leaves of  this herbaceous plant. The leaves grow from underground stems. They grow around each other creating a tight stem-like appearance. The closer you get to the center, the more tender the leaves become.

Health Benefits of Banana Stems

1- Weight Loss

Banana stems are full of fiber, making them extra filling which keeps you satisfied longer.  By being full of the good stuff, theres no room for junk food snacking. 

2- Constipation

That high fiber content not only helps with weight loss, but keeps you regular. It helps loosen blockage and relieve discomfort that comes with constipation

3- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Banana stem is a diuretic which means it will help flush your system when you have a UTI. This will relieve symptoms and discomfort caused by your UTI. Drink banana stem juice two to three times per week for best results (recipes below).

4- Diabetes

Being high in potassium and vitamin B6, banana stem helps regulate the body’s production of hemoglobin and insulin. This helps reduce blood sugar spikes.

5- Hyperacidity

Banana stem’s fiber can aid with ulcers and heartburn. Drink banana stem juice three times per week as an antacid.

6-Kidney Stones

Banana stems, when added as a regular part of your diet, can help to prevent kidney and gall stones.

To prepare banana stems:

1. Remove outer layer of banana stem and wash thoroughly
2. Slice stem widthwise
3. Remove ALL soft fibers with index finger
4. Soak banana stem in cold salted or lime water for an hour

After step 4 you can use the stem however you’d like. You can use it in a soup or stew, or make a juice out of it.

Banana Stem Juice Recipes

1- Banana Stem Juice with Lime

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped banana stem
• 1 cup water
• ½ lime
• ½ -1 tsp honey
• pinch of salt (if desired)

Method

1- Soak banana stem in water and leave it for an hour to soften.

2- Blend the water and banana stem together

3- Separate the fibers from juice with a mesh sieve or cheesecloth

4- Add lime juice, honey, and salt

5-Stir well, add ice cubes and serve chilled

2- Banana Stem Juice with Apples

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped banana stem
• 1 large apple
• 1 cup water
• Honey if desired

Method

1- Soak banana stem in water and leave for an hour to soften.

2- Blend the water and banana stem together

3- Separate the fibers from juice with a mesh sieve or cheesecloth.

4- Blend in apple to the sieved juice, or juice the apple and add apple juice

5- Add a few ice cubes and serve chilled

You can replace the water to soda water and add mangoes and apples to the recipe to improve on the taste.

Sources:

http://ethnichealthcourt.com/2016/01/21/health-benefits-of-banana-stem/

http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Banana_Stem_12571.php

http://www.7daygmdiet.com/2015/05/banana-stem-juice-for-weight-loss.html

http://praneesthaikitchen.com/tag/how-to-prepare-banana-stem-for-cooking/

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Michelle Toole

Michelle Toole is the founder and head editor of Healthy Holistic Living. Learn all about her life's inspiration and journey to health and wellness.

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