While most of us know the banana as a delectable and nutritious fruit that is rich in potassium, vitamins, fiber and mineral content, we mostly tend to discard the banana peels (or use them for home composting). You would be surprised to know that banana peels are also replete with polyphenolsi Naturally occurring micronutrients in plants that protect from oxidative stress and offer important health benefits. , carotenoidsi Yellow, orange, and red organic pigments in plants known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other health benefits. , and other antioxidants that can help remove the toxic free radicals from your skin and body (1). Want to know more about the benefits of banana peels? Read on!
Banana Peel Uses
1. Sparkling Teeth
Rub the banana peel every day for a week on your teeth for about a minute. This may result in teeth whitening, which can cost a lot of money otherwise. What Are Its Benefits? Banana peel can help with reducing pimples, wrinkles and even aid in skin issues like psoriasis. Who Can Use It? Anyone looking for skin benefits can use it, unless they are allergic to it How Often? You can apply for it twice weekly. Caution There are no such side effects unless you are allergic to banana
Rethabile-Marah, a blogger, found banana peels to be the perfect remedy for brownish teeth. She writes, “So after polishing and brushing my teeth for about 10-20 minutes with the outer part of a banana peel…I eventually checked my teeth, and they were white as snow (i).”
2. May Remove Warts
Anecdotal evidence suggests that banana peel helps in removing wartsi A skin infection caused by human papillomavirus that leads to small, grainy bumps on the skin and spreads through skin-to-skin contact. and preventing the occurrence of new ones. For this, simply rub the peel on the affected area or tie the peel overnight on it. This is one of the simplest ways to use a banana peel for the skin.
3. Eat Them
Banana peels can also be eaten. You can find amazing Indian recipes that use banana peels in stir fries, chutneys, and curry preparations. Raw banana peels are also used to tenderize and preserve meat and chicken (2).
4. May Treat Pimples
If you have ever wondered how to treat acne with banana peels, try this simple procedure: Apply banana peels to your face and body and massage it for at least 5 minutes daily to treat pimples. The results should be available within a week. Continue to use the banana peels until the acne clears up.
5. May Reduce Wrinkles
Although there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, it is said that a banana peel helps to keep your skin hydrated. Add an egg yolk to a mashed banana peel. Apply this mixture on your face, leave it on for 5 minutes and then wash it off. The antioxidants in banana peel help prevent oxidative stress and reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines (3).
6. Pain Reliever
Apply the banana peel directly on the painful area. Leave it for 30 minutes till the pain is gone. Banana peels have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can help reduce the pain (3). A mixture of vegetable oil and banana peel might also help in pain relief (4).
7. May Treat Psoriasis
Apply the peel on the psoriasis affected area. The banana peel has moisturizing properties and also reduces itchiness. It may treat mild to moderate psoriasis (3).
8. May Treat Bites By Bugs
Massage the peel on the mosquito bites to get instant relief from the itching and pain. The antioxidants and vitamins help increase the blood circulation healing the pain and inflammation (3).
9. Shoes, Leather, Silver Polish
Rub a banana peel on shoes, leather, and silver articles to make them shine instantly.
10. UV Protection
Banana peel may help in protecting the eyes from the harmful UV rays. Make sure you leave the peel under the sun before rubbing the banana peel on your eyes. It is also said to reduce the risk of cataractsi An eye condition that causes the natural lens of the eye to become cloudy, making things look blurry and less colorful. . As mentioned before, banana peel can be incorporated into your diet. Here is a quick and delicious recipe you can follow to get started.
Banana Peel Recipe
Banana Peel CrispsIngredients
2-3 ripe banana peels 1 tablespoon of olive oil 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1/2 teaspoon of pepper 1/2 teaspoon of paprika 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
How To Prepare
Some Important Tips
Does drinking boiled banana peel water help tighten the skin? Mary Sabat, RDN, says, “Drinking boiled banana peels is not recommended. There is no scientific evidence that boiling banana peels can provide any health benefits or tighten skin.” What do banana peels in water do? Putting banana peels in water would leach their nutrients into the water. The resulting mixture is similar to compost tea. Can I leave banana peels on my face overnight? Yes. Banana peels may help rejuvenate your skin and deal with pimples. Does banana peel lighten skin? Possibly. Banana peels contain antioxidants and small amounts of vitamin C that may help brighten your complexion. How do you make banana peel powder? Cut the peels into small pieces and sun-dry them. Alternatively, you can dry the banana peels in the oven and grind them to obtain banana peel powder. What does banana peel do to your hair? Anecdotal evidence suggests that the antioxidants in the banana peels may help boost hair growth and leave silky soft and shiny hair behind.
Illustration: Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Banana Peels
This video explains how banana peels can whiten your teeth, manage acne, even soothe a headache, and much more. Discover the amazing health benefits of this ingredient that would otherwise end up in the trash can. Play the video now!
