Banana flour promotes colon health, reduces cholesterol levels, inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria, can help with weight-loss, balances blood-sugar levels and high in fiber.
Have you heard about the latest superfood, banana flour yet? In case you haven’t, don’t worry, you are in the right place. Banana flour, which is the recent superfood available in the market, is one of the best alternatives to wheat flour. In this article, we will discuss 11 health benefits of using banana flour in your diet. Read on to find out everything that you wanted to know about banana flour.
In this article:
11 Banana Health Benefits You Might Not Know About
How to Make
Recipes
11 Banana Health Benefits You Might Not Know About
It Balances Blood-Sugar Levels
Since the bananas are picked before they ripen, they are low in natural sugars. Also, unlike other starchy ingredients such as pasta and white bread, which are rapidly digested, get absorbed as glucose into the bloodstream, and spike up insulin levels, the starch in green bananas slows the release of food. This slows the insulin response in the body.
It’s High in Fiber
Fiber supports the good bacteria present in the gut are far more powerful and beneficial for us than probiotics. This can help with everything from poor digestion to irritable bowel syndrome, and it can even help you get a flatter stomach.
Not Needed Much
Because of its high starch content, you can use a lot less banana flour compared to regular ones. Generally, the rule of thumb is one third less, although that depends on the recipe.
It Can Help with Weight-Loss
Lower in calories than most wheat flours and alternatives like oat and almond flour, it’s an excellent choice for those watching their waistlines. Because of its fiber content, it keeps you feeling fuller for longer, making you less likely to reach for that packet of biscuits an hour after lunch. It’s also great for those suffering from diabetes for this very reason.
It Doesn’t Taste Like Bananas
You can use banana flour as a substitute for ordinary flour in pretty much anything, as it doesn’t taste much like bananas. It has a subtle, almost nutty taste that won’t affect the flavor of the dish you’re preparing.
It’s Seriously Nutritious
Banana flour is high in essential minerals and vitamins including zinc, vitamin E, magnesium, and manganese. It is also abundant in potassium. Just two tablespoons of banana flour contain the same amount as seven whole bananas.
It’s Gluten-Free
Green-banana flour is gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and soy-free, making it perfect for vegans and the gluten intolerant ones.
It Contains Some 5htp
5HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan isn’t commonly found in foods, but it is a powerful supplement. It helps to increase serotonin production in the brain quite like many antidepressants. This makes green banana flour a really nice supplement if you struggle with depression, moods, anxiety, sleep, and headaches.
Inhibits the Growth of Pathogenic Bacteria
The starch present in green banana flour breaks down into short-chain fatty acids & raises the pH level of the large intestine which creates adverse conditions for pathogenic bacteria while favoring the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Promotes Colon Health
Resistant starch promotes colon health and also acts as a re-hydrating agent for those suffering from diarrhea. High in essential minerals and vitamins including zinc, vitamin E, magnesium, and manganese
May Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Foods that are considered a source of resistant starch may help reduce cholesterol levels, which means green banana flour itself a cholesterol-lowering food.
How to Make
Peel and cut bananas into thin slices and place on baking trays and dry in a low oven for 2-3 hours. The bananas will be quite light in color when they’re ready. Place the bananas in a high-speed blender or thermomix and grind into fine flour. If you find your bananas are still sticky and aren’t grinding, remove from blender, spread on a tray and leave to dry for longer. Mill again, sift and store in a dry, airtight container.
Recipes
Homemade Banana Flour Apple Tea Cake
- 1 1/3 cup of homemade banana flour
- 3/4 cup Rapadura Sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 cup of macadamia, light olive or any other neutral-flavored oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 Large pink lady apples cut into thin slices
Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius and grease a round cake tin with oil or butter. Sift dry ingredients into a bowl. Whisk oil, eggs, and milk together and pour into the dry ingredients. Mix well until combined. Pour half of the mixture into the cake tin, top with apple slices and pour the other half of the mixture over the top. Spread mixture evenly over the apple until smooth and all apples are covered. Cook in the oven for 45 minutes, turn off the heat and leave in the oven for another 5-10 minutes. Remove from oven and leave to cool for 20 minutes before turning onto a rack.
Therefore, to conclude, banana flour is one of the greatest things you could possibly add to your diet, because of its health benefits and its versatile use in recipes.
