Dried bananas are delicious meals prepared in many households. Food stores also sell packed dried bananas on their shelf. Dried bananas have longer shelf life than fresh bananas. Dried bananas can be prepared in various ways. The most commonly known forms of dried bananas are; banana powder, banana flour, and banana chips.
Banana Powder
Banana powder is first frozen and then dried to completely remove air. The powder has a high concentration of nutrients thus it is taken in small quantities, unlike unprocessed bananas. The nutritional content, taste, and smell are identical to that of a fresh banana.
The powder is easy to use. It can be used in the preparation of favorite desserts, can be added to porridge, or in the making of pastries. It helps minimize the intake of sugars and is good for diabetes patients.
Powdered banana is a suitable alternative for people who cannot consume raw bananas. The powder is tasty and tempting to children who tend to lick it directly from the packet
Banana powder has proved essential in the treatment of arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and other chronic illnesses.
The banana powder can be used to make other high-value food products.
Uses of banana powder
Making energy bars
Mixed with other dried fruits, the banana powder is used to make excellent enriching energy bars. You can mix it with dates, nuts, raisins, and other fruits.
Making porridge
Instead of adding jam to your porridge, you can add banana powder. After cooking your porridge, allow it to cool then add a spoonful of banana powder.
Making smoothies
Bananas enrich your smoothies with necessary nutrients while supporting gut health. The powder provides good flavors for both tropical and berry smoothies.
Homemade sweets
The banana powder can be added to different puddings, yogurt, and milk to produce a mild banana flavor.
Banana Flour
Banana flow is widely used in tropical regions. It has been used on most occasions as an alternative to wheat, maize, sorghum, or millet flour.
Preparation
Banana flour is made from green mature unripe banana fruit. The fruit is chopped, dried, and grounded. The resulting flour is gluten-free, rich in fiber, and low in sugar. The flour can be used to make similar products made from the floor of other cereals.
Health benefits of banana flour
Resistant starch
Banana flour is rich in resistant starch. Resistant starch is an indigestible carbohydrate that passes through the gut unchanged. This leads to improved gut health, reduced sugar levels, and weight loss.
High concentration of antioxidants
Banana flour has a high level of antioxidants. The antioxidant helps to fight cancerous cells and reduces the risks of heart diseases. Antioxidants detoxify free radicals that are toxic to the body.
Lower cholesterol
Banana flour has soluble fibers. Soluble fiber lowers cholesterol levels by binding to bile acids and removing them from the body.
Reduces sugar level
Resistant starch present in banana flour has been established as a key element in lowering blood sugar levels. Studies indicate that eating twenty grams of resistant starch per day for a month lowers the blood sugar level in adults.
Helps in weight loss
Banana flour helps in weight loss therefore you should consider making it part of your diet. Studies done on overweight women showed that after taking banana flour meals for about a month, they significantly dropped weight.
Gluten-free
Most grains contain gluten. Gluten-free diets is helpful to people with food allergies
Banana Chips
Banana chips are made from ripened bananas. They contain little sugar. It supplies the body with iron, phosphorous, vitamin A, magnesium, and potassium in small quantities. Banana chips are portable delicious snacks that are rich in nutrients.