The Shocking Benefits of Banana Peel Tea (Plus Recipe)
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Last Updated on April 9, 2024
Have you heard of the benefits of banana peel tea? This easy-to-make tea is made just using a banana peel and boiling water. As someone who has struggled with sleep issues for year, banana peel tea is something I use at night to wind down and help me sleep. But there’s more benefits than just sleep!
Banana Peel Tea
Instead of chucking the banana peel into the bin, have you ever considered making banana peel tea? Like other fruit peels, banana peels are full of imporant nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and Vitamin B.
When you steep the peels in boiling water, these nutrients create a mineral-packed liquid with a subtle sweet taste. Banana peel tea provides a lot of benefits; one of them is better sleep!
Continue reading to learn all about banana peel tea and why you should stop tossing those peels!
What is Banana Peel Tea?
Banana peel tea is a type of drink made by boiling banana peels in water. This unconventional tea is packed with several beneficial compounds like potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6.
It’s a simple, cost-effective, and sustainable way to get the most out of your bananas while minimizing waste.
Nutrients in Banana Peels
Take a look at the nutritional properties of the peels of one of the world’s most popular fruits:
- Vitamin B6: Banana peels are a good source of vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, which plays a key role in brain development and function.
- Vitamin C: They contain vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects your body from damage by free radicals.
- Potassium: They are a great source of potassium, a mineral that is essential for heart health and normal blood pressure.
- Magnesium: Banana peels also contain magnesium, which is necessary for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure.
- Dopamine: Banana peels have dopamine, a type of antioxidant that can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Lutein: This antioxidant helps protect your eyes from ultraviolet light.
- Dietary Fiber: They are rich in dietary fiber, which aids digestion and can help control hunger.
- Tryptophan: Banana peels contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can help promote sleep.
Health Benefits of Boiled Banana Peels
There are extensive benefits of banana tea. The peels have been used as a natural remedies for all sorts of ailments as well as to improve overall health.
While you won’t want to go around eating the peel itself, making a banana-infused tea is a great way to reap these healthy rewards:
Rich in Nutrients
Banana peels are packed with various essential nutrients including potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6 and B12.
Sleep Enhancer
Banana peel tea has been hailed as a natural sleep aid. It contains an amino acid known as tryptophan which boosts sleep quality. Michael Breus, a well-known sleep expert, suggests that this tea can help regulate circadian rhythm and alleviate sleep disturbances.
Mood Booster
Banana peel tea is rich in dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in mood regulation. Regular consumption may help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Promotes Heart Health
The high levels of potassium in banana peels can help maintain a healthy heart by controlling blood pressure levels.
Improves Digestive Health
The dietary fiber in banana peels aids digestion and prevents constipation.
Boosts Immunity
The presence of Vitamin C helps boost the immune system and fight against common illnesses.
Aids Weight Loss
Banana peels are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great food for weight management.
Good for Eye Health
Banana peels have lutein, an antioxidant that protects eye health and may reduce the risk of macular degeneration.
Enhances Skin Health
Applying banana peel on skin can help to moisturize, reduce inflammation and remove warts.
Helps in Detoxification
The soluble and insoluble fiber in banana peels helps flush out toxins from the body.
Lowers Cholesterol Levels
The dietary fiber present can also help lower bad cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of heart disease.
Controls Blood Sugar Levels
The fiber content in banana peels can slow down digestion and prevent spikes in blood sugar levels after meals.
Promotes Bone Health
High levels of potassium in banana peels contribute to maintaining bone density by preventing calcium loss.
Helps Fight Cancer
Antioxidants like lutein found in banana peels have been linked to reduced risk of certain types of cancer including lung cancer.
Boosts Brain Health
Banana peels are rich in antioxidants that help protect brain cells from oxidative stress and damage, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
What Color Peels To Use for Banana Peel Tea
Yellow banana peels are ideal for making banana peel tea. When a banana is ripe and contains higher levels of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C compared to green (unripe) or brown (overripe) peels.
How to Make Banana Peel Tea
Making banana peel tea is simple. You can make it using a whole banana, with just the peel (my preferred way), or even with a dried peel. Here’s what you need to do for each type.
Banana Peel Tea
- Start with ripe organic bananas (nice yellow color, not green or excessive brown spots).
- Use 1 C filtered water for each peel for a concentrated flavor or 1.5 C for less concentration.
- Wash and rinse bananas; be sure to remove any dirt. Using a fruit and veggies wash is helpful here.
- Peel the bananas and eat the fruit or freeze for use later in smoothies or other desserts.
- Bring the water to a boil and add the peels.
- Cover, reduce heat and simmer on low for 10-12 minutes.
- Strain out the banana pieces, and pour the banana-infused water into a mug or save for later.
Store your banana peel tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Consider some add-ins for enhancing the flavors:
After steeping the peel and before drinking the tea, you can sweeten and add some flavor using:
- cinnamon stick
- vanilla extract
- cloves
- allspice
- raw honey, maple syrup, or another natural sweetener
- plant-based milk
- pinch of sea salt
Whole Banana Tea With Peel
If you want to boil a while banana with the fruit and peel, here’s what you need to do:
- Rinse an organic banana under running water.
- Cut off both ends of the banana.
- Place the entire banana, with its peel on, into boiling water.
- Let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Use a colander to strain the water into a cup.
Save the leftover banana for use in smoothies.
Banana Tea With Dried Banana Peel
Drying banana peels intensifies their flavor. To make tea with dried banana peels, simply place them on a baking sheet and dry until crisp before brewing. I use one whole banana peel for one cup of tea, which equates to approx 3 TBSP of dried peel.
How to Store Banana Peels for Later Use
We eat a lot of bananas at our house. I like to keep a large Ziploc bag in my freezer for the peels. Since I use them to make tea, I make sure to wash the bananas before peeling and using them, so later on my frozen peels are already clean and ready to go.
You can also store banana peels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, however they will start browning.
Banana Peel Tea Tips
- Use organic bananas as they are free from harmful pesticides.
- Ensure you wash your bananas thoroughly before use.
- Store unused banana peels in the freezer.
- Adjust the steep time for a deeper connetrated flavor.
- Use a natural sweetener or some other spices to add flavors.
You might also enjoy reading about the benefits of boiling pineapple skin.
Who Should Avoid Banana Peel Tea?
- While banana peel tea is generally safe for most people, those with kidney problems should avoid it due to its high potassium content.
- If you’re required to monitor your potassium levels because of certain medications or other health issues, drinking banana peel tea might not be suitable for you.
- Banana peels contain a substantial amount of tannins. This could potentially cause adverse effects in some individuals, particularly those who have a high sensitivity to tannins.
- Individuals with latex allergies might also experience allergic reactions to bananas.
Always seek medical advice before introducing any new remedy if you have underlying health conditions.
Ways to Use Banana Peel Tea
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- Tea Base: Use the banana peel water to brew a type of tea, such as black tea or green tea (however if using for sleep opt for a non-caffeinated tea such as chamomile tea).
- Smoothie Additive: Banana peel tea can be used as an additive in your morning smoothies.
- Sauce Ingredient: Use banana peel tea as a base for your dessert sauces.
- Salad Dressing: Banana peel tea can be used in salad dressings. Its mild taste pairs well with fresh leafy greens and vegetables.
- Baking Ingredient: Use banana peel tea instead of water in your baking recipes.
- Marinades: You can use banana peel tea as a marinade for meats and tofu. The tea helps to tenderize the meat while adding a distinct flavor profile.
- Grain Cooking Liquid: Replace water with banana peel tea when cooking grains like rice, quinoa, or couscous for added flavor and nutrients.
- Dessert Topping: Banana peel tea can be reduced into a natural simple syrup and used as a topping on desserts like paleo pancakes, waffles, or AIP ice cream.
- Infusion for Water or Tea: Add it to plain water or other teas for a nutrient boost and an interesting twist in flavor.
- Mocktails: Add the banana peel liquid to make a low-sugar mocktail.
Banana Peel Tea FAQ
What Are The Benefits of Drinking Boiled Banana Water?
Drinking boiled banana water provides a rich source of potassium and magnesium, essential minerals for heart health and muscle function. It also contains tryptophan, which can promote sleep.
Does Banana Peel Burn Belly Fat?
There’s no scientific evidence to suggest that banana peel burns belly fat. Fat loss generally requires a combination of balanced diet and regular exercise.
What Happens if You Boil Banana Peels for Weight Loss?
Boiling banana peels and drinking the tea might contribute to weight loss as part of a healthy diet due to its high fiber content which aids digestion and promotes feelings of fullness, thereby reducing overeating.
Does Boiling Banana Peels Help You Sleep?
Yes, boiling banana peels may help improve sleep quality. This is because banana peels contain tryptophan, an amino acid that is converted into serotonin, a mood regulator, and melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep cycles.
Final Thoughts
For individuals with sleep disorders, trying a cup of banana tea before bed might just help acheive a good night’s sleep. Besides the sleep benefits, banana peel tea is a great homemade remedy for boosting immunity, improving digestion, promoting heart health, and even improving your mood, among other benefits.
Resources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35600962
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9089481
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-banana-peel
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464622001244
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369955591_Nutritional_Content_and_Bioactive_Compounds_of_Banana_Peel_and_Its_Potential_Utilization_A_Review
