To eat a banana peel or not to eat a banana peel: That is the question
Bananas: nutritious and delicious -- even the peels.
Yes, you might've been throwing away the best part of bananas this entire time.
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Bananas are rich in vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, copper and biotin, but the peels reportedly contain twice the amount of potassium and fiber than the flesh.
They also contain lutein, a vision booster; tryptophan, an essential amino acid; and prebiotic fiber, a nourishment for good bacteria in the colon.
Some even believe banana peel extract can help with depression. Researchers say the peel can increase serotonin, a neurotransmitter.
But let's pump the brakes. Today reports there is a lack of expert studies and a low amount of nutrients and, quite frankly, the taste might make you want to think twice.
If eating the banana peel isn't your thing, there are plenty of other ways to recycle the banana's usable outer layer.
The peels can be used to fertilize plants, tenderize meat, relieve rashes and attract birds and butterflies.
So if you decide not to eat that peel, you still may want to think before tossing it into the garbage.
More uses for bananas and banana peels you may not have known:
