9 Amazing Benefits of Banana Flower

Tucked among the strong bunches of bananas is a hidden gem, the banana flowers, which are typically ignored and thrown away provide numerous health benefits that deserve to be recognized.

Banana flower is commonly eaten as a vegetable in several Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In Sri Lanka, it is often prepared as a curry or served as a boiled or deep-fried salad alongside rice and wheat bread.

Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, banana flowers can offer a wide range of health benefits that make them a fantastic addition to a healthy diet.

In this blog, we will have a look at banana flower benefits, its nutrition and how to incorporate it into your diet.

What is Banana Flower?

Banana flower, also known as banana blossom is a flower belong to wild species of banana known as Musa Acuminata. It is a cone-shaped flower with purple-red colour is a frequent addition to curries, soups, and salads in Asia countries.

They’re often ignored or discarded during harvest, but those who know their value understand that they’re not just edible but highly nutritious. The banana flower has a delicate, slightly bitter flavor and can be used in salads, curries, soups, and even fried dishes.

Nutrients in Banana Flower

Banana flower has potential to be regarded as a functional food or superfood due to its rich nutrient profile as it is an excellent source of fibre, good source of protein, vitamin A, C and E, minerals like phosphorus, potassium, iron, magnesium and antioxidants such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, all of which are important for numerous biological functions general well-being.

Nutritional Value

According to research published in the African Journal of Biotechnology on nutritional analysis of two species of banana blossoms: Baxijiao and Paradisiaca, the nutritional content per 100 grams is as follows

• Calories: 51 Kcal
• Protein: 1.6 g
• Fat: 0.6 g
• Carbohydrates: 9.9 g
• Fiber: 57 g
• Calcium: 56 mg (4% Daily Value (DV))
• Iron: 56.4 mg (313% DV)
• Magnesium: 48.7 mg (12% DV)
• Phosphorus: 73.3 mg (6% DV)
• Potassium: 553.3 mg (12% DV)
• Copper: 13 mg (1444% DV)
• Vitamin E: 1.07 mg (7% DV)

Banana Flower Benefits for Health 

Let us see how this ignored banana flower benefits our health.

1. Rich in Antioxidants

Banana flowers are rich in antioxidants, the compounds that offer numerous health benefits.

Antioxidants play a key role in reducing oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals—unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging and chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.

Banana flowers are packed with tannins, saponins, reducing and non-reducing sugars, sterols, triterpenes, beta-sitosterol, flavonoids, and other phenolic compounds.

Polyphenols are a large group of natural plant compounds, and they include a type called flavonoids. And flavonoids include flavones, isoflavones, flavanones, catechins, and anthocyanins, each of which has various health benefits.

Banana flower also contains biologicaly active compounds like vitamin C, myoinositol phosphates, and alpha tocopherol.

These compounds play a key role in their antioxidant properties, making banana flowers a powerful ingredient for promoting overall health.

Regular consumption of banana flowers can contribute to better overall health, reducing the risk of chronic illnesses and promoting cellular repair.

2. May Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Banana flowers are a great source of dietary fiber and bioactive compounds, which may reduce cholesterol levels, a primary risk factor of heart diseases.

Several studies have indicated that dietary fiber rich in antioxidants may positively impact risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

A study on high-cholesterol-fed rats showed that adding banana blossom powder to their diet for four weeks reduced total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, compared to those fed a high-cholesterol diet alone. Additionally, the rats fed with banana flower had a reduction in oxidative stress induced by high cholesterol diet.

Other studies also suggest that the modulating effect of banana flowers on cholesterol levels may be attributed to its polyphenol-rich dietary fibers.

Though promising, there is need of further research on humans.

3. May Regulate Blood Sugar Levels 

Banana flowers are recognized for their ability to regulate blood sugar levels, making them beneficial for people with diabetes or those aiming to manage blood sugar.

Their high fiber content slows the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.

The previously mentioned study of high-cholesterol-fed rats found that the rats fed with banana flower also had lower blood glucose levels compared to those on control diet.

However, more research, especially clinical research is needed to confirm the efficacy of banana blossoms on blood glucose levels.

4. Good for Gastrointestinal Health

Banana flowers are a great source of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, making them beneficial for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diarrhea.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel, which helps food move smoothly through the digestive tract.

On the other hand, insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and adds bulk to undigested waste, making it helpful for those suffering from constipation.

Both types of fiber are essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption, and banana blossoms provide a good supply of them.

Additionally, the previously mentioned study also found that rats fed with banana blossom had improved gut health, with higher fecal and caecal weights and an increase in beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the caecum, which is the pouch-like structure that connects the small intestine to the large intestine.

5. May Reduce Menstrual Cramps

Banana blossoms have been traditionally used to treat excessive blood loss during menstruation.

They are known to help reduce muscle cramps by regulating progesterone levels, which can alleviate painful bleeding.

In addition, banana blossoms contain magnesium, a mineral that helps reduce anxiety and promotes relaxation during menstruation.

This combination of hormone regulation and magnesium support makes banana blossoms beneficial for women experiencing discomfort during their cycle.

Furthermore, they are believed to assist women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), offering a natural remedy for managing symptoms and supporting reproductive health.

6. May Increase the Milk Production in Lactating Mothers and Provide Antioxidative Support 

Banana blossoms have been traditionally used in Thai cuisine to boost the milk production in lactating mothers.

Active compounds such as saponins and tannins in the aqueous extract of banana flower have been shown to exhibit significant galactagogue properties in rats.

The banana flowers are particularly rich in anthocyanins and exhibit high levels of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, catechin, and isoquercetin.

While the role of flavonoids in directly enhancing lactation remains unclear, however, these compounds play a crucial role in protecting the mothers from oxidative damage, which leads to chronic diseases.

Overall, the antioxidative properties of banana flowers may be attributed to their total phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which enhance their value as a health food supplement for breastfeeding mothers, including those in the postpartum period and those recovering from cesarean sections.

A clinical study revealed that the consumption of banana blossom was significantly associated with increased milk production in 36 breastfeeding mothers, suggesting that flavonoids and saponins acted as the main active compounds by functioning as dopamine antagonists.

However, traditional Thai cuisine featuring banana flower requires considerable skill and time for preparation. To address this, a ready-to-drink beverage containing banana flower has been developed as a convenient alternative for breastfeeding mothers.

Further studies are needed to evaluate the sensory qualities of this beverage and its effectiveness in enhancing breast milk production among pre-term and post-cesarean mothers.

7. May Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Consuming banana flower may reduce the risk of cancer due to its rich antioxidant profile.

The ethanol extract of banana flower (M. paradisiaca) has shown anticancer effects against HeLa cervical cancer cells. This extract was effective in slowing down the growth of these cancer cells and causing them to undergo programmed cell death. Notably, it did not cause any harm to normal human peripheral lymphocytes, which are healthy immune cells.

However, these results are limited to cellular studies, and further animal and clinical studies are needed to evaluate its anticancer properties.

8. May Prevent Prostate Enlargement

Prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition in older men where the prostate gland increases in size, leading to urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty starting or stopping urination, and a weak urine stream. It is generally non-cancerous.

Bananas flower has been used in traditional medicine since centuries to treat urinary problems.

In a cellular study, aqueous banana flower extract has been found to show anticancer activity against benign prostatic hyperplacia.

At a concentration of 2 mg/mL, the banana flower extract reduced the survival of BPH-1 cells by stopping their division in the first stage of the cell cycle. It also decreased the levels of proteins that help cells grow, while increasing the levels of proteins that prevent tumor growth.

Additionally, the extract lowered the production of a substance linked to inflammation that contributes to the growth of BPH-1 cells by blocking certain enzymes involved in that process.

There are also animal studies proving it, however, there is the need of further research on humans.

9. May Prevent Bone loss

Banana flowers are rich in essential minerals like calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese, as well as flavonoids like quercetin and catechin, all of which support bone health.

These flavonoids may help relieve joint pain, while the minerals prevent bone loss, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Several animal and lab-based studies have shown that quercetin provides bone-protective properties through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

And a clinical study found that patients with type 2 diabetes who took 500 mg of quercetin daily for three months had higher levels of bone-related markers such as osteocalcin, calcium, and vitamin D.

However, the direct impact of quercetin on bone health in people with osteoporosis remains unconfirmed.

How to Add Banana Flower Into Your Diet

Below are some popular recipes to add banana flower into your diet:

• Salad: Toss thinly sliced banana flower with shredded coconut, lime juice, chopped peanuts, and Thai spices for a refreshing salad.
• Banana Flower Curry: Cook chopped banana flower with onions, tomatoes, coconut milk, and spices to make a delicious curry, you can pair it with rice or chapathi.
• Banana Flower Fritters: Dip banana flower slices in a batter made of chickpea flour, rice flour, and spices, then fry until crispy and golden brown. Once fried, they can be enjoyed alone or served alongside rice.

Want to try some banana flower recipes? Click here.

Potential Side Effects

While banana flowers are generally safe to consume, they may cause side effects in some individuals. These include:

• Allergic reactions: Rare, but possible in individuals allergic to banana plant parts.
• Digestive issues: Consuming too much fiber from banana flowers may lead to bloating or gas in some people.

If you have any underlying health conditions or are on medication, consult your healthcare provider before adding banana flowers to your diet.

Final Thoughts

Banana flowers are a nutrient-packed addition to your diet, offering a wide range of health benefits from promoting better digestion to supporting heart and bone health.

Although banana flowers have been cherished for centuries for their therapeutic benefits, most of these claims are speculative and not supported by sufficient scientific evidence, highlighting the need for more human research.

However, it is a versatile vegetable with wrapped with nutrients, you can add them in salads, curries, stir-fries, or smoothies, banana flowers are a delicious and nutritious way to improve your overall health.

So, the next time you cook, don’t just throw them away, remember how banana flower benefits us, rather throw it in a dish and unwrap the nutrients it has to offer!

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References:

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