While the majority are familiar with the sweet and fruity flesh of a banana, few have ventured to try the peel.

While the thought of eating a banana peel may be hard for some to stomach, it’s a common ingredient in many cuisines around the world.

The peel of a banana makes up about 35% of the ripe fruit and is often discarded rather than consumed

However, using the peel is a great way to reduce food waste while squeezing some extra vitamins and minerals into your diet.

In fact, banana peels are not only edible but also rich in several key nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, polyunsaturated fats, and essential amino acids

Fiber, in particular, has been shown to promote regularity, stabilize blood sugar levels, and boost heart health

Meanwhile, potassium can help regulate blood pressure levels, protect against bone loss, and reduce your risk of kidney stones

One test-tube study also found that banana peels are rich in antioxidants, with unripe banana peels boasting the highest numbers

Some research suggests that antioxidants can reduce inflammation and protect against chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes

Pesticides are often used to produce conventional bananas (6Trusted Source).

While this is not much of a concern if you’re only eating the fruit, it may be something to consider when consuming the peel.

Pesticide exposure has been linked to several adverse effects on health and may increase the risk of conditions like autism, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and dementia (7Trusted Source).

Still, regulatory agencies like the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carefully monitor pesticide levels in the food supply to prevent these negative health effects (8Trusted Source).

That said, you may want to select organic bananas if possible and wash the peel thoroughly before consuming it to help minimize pesticide exposure.

Many people also find banana peels unpalatable due to their bitter taste and tough texture.

In this case, choosing ripe bananas and cooking them thoroughly can help improve the taste and texture, making them a bit more appetizing.

SUMMARY
Conventional bananas are often produced using pesticides, which may negatively impact health. Also, some people may find their bitter taste and tough texture unpalatable.

When getting started, be sure to pick very ripe bananas, as the peels of these bananas are often sweeter and thinner, which may make them more appealing.

To prepare the banana, simply remove the stem and wash the peel thoroughly.

Then, toss it in the blender and add it to your favorite smoothie recipe or sneak it into your next loaf of banana bread.

You can also try baking, boiling, or frying the peels, which helps soften their texture, making them easier to eat.

Cooked banana peels make a great substitute for bacon or pulled pork in your favorite meatless recipes.

They can even be added to stir-fries, curries, and sandwiches to help boost the dish’s nutritional value.

Summary
Banana peels can be blended, baked, boiled, or fried and enjoyed in a variety of recipes.

FERTILIZE TOMATO PLANTS
Wrap a banana peel around your tomato starts so they can sbsorb nutrients from it throufhout the season.

FEED INDOOR PLANTS
Soak a banana peel in a large jar of water, then combine one part of the resulting banana peel water with five parts of regular water in a watering can to fertilize indoor plants.

USE IN COMPOST
Banana peel break down quick ans add lots of nutrients to the soil for vegetable and flower gardens.

RELIEVE RASHES AND ITCHES
Rub the peel over bug bites, poisen ivy rashes or psoriasis patches to reduce itchiness and promote healing.

FEED ANIMALS
Add some ground, dried banana peels to the feed for chicken, pigs, rabbits and livestock.#+

MAKE VINEGAR
Use the sour flavor of banana-peel vinegar in salads, to flavor water and tea, or in any recipe that calls for vinegar.

TENDERIZE MEAT
Add a ripe banana peel to roasting pan to keep boneless, skinless cuts of meat from toughening up and drying out during cooking

ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES AND BIRDS
Put peels from overripe bananas on a raised platform in the garden and watch them flock to the sweetness. Beware that bees and wasps may be atracted as well.

POLISH LEATHER AND SILVER
Rub the pithy side of a banana peel on leather shoes, jackets or furniture and buff with the soft cloth. Blend a peel with water and use the mixture to shine silver.

read this

• Dietary Administration of Banana (Musa acuminata) Peel Flour Affects the Growth, Antioxidant Status, Cytokine Responses, and Disease Susceptibility of Rohu, Labeo rohita[www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  
• Health benefits of dietary fiber[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  
• Antioxidant activity and protective effect of banana peel against oxidative hemolysis of human erythrocyte at different stages of ripening[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  
• Tracking pesticide fate in conventional banana cultivation in Costa Rica: A disconnect between protecting ecosystems and consumer health[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  
• You can eat banana peels, but that doesn't mean you should[www.insider.com]
  
• 4 fruits you can (and should!) eat from skin to pit[www.today.com]
  
• 10 THINGS TO DO WITH BANANA PEELS[ivaluefood.com]

pictures

• banana animation [gph.is]
  
• secend banana[media.giphy.com]