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01/7Take a guess
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Banana--the original 100-calorie snack--is one of the easiest fruits to eat. While we all have a different concept of our 'perfect' banana, take a moment to imagine yours. Is it just the right amount of yellow with tiny black spots all over it? Or does it tilt more towards a greenish-yellowish colour with no spots at all?
02/7Green, Yellow or Brown?
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While the colour and texture of banana changes as it ripens, what we don’t really know is that different stages of fruit maturity contain different health benefits. This is the reason there is a lot of confusion about what colour should a banana be when we eat it. If you have often wondered the same, here is the breakdown of the health benefits of bananas as they change their colour according to nutritionist Dr Rekha Jithin.
03/7Green
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When bananas are green in colour, be assured that they are full of high resistant starch. If you are watching your diet and trying to avoid food high in sugar content, green bananas might be one of the healthiest food options for you. They might taste bitter as they contain less sugar. These unripe bananas also contain probiotic bacteria which is good for your digestive system and are also perfect for cooking. Do keep in mind that this green variant might cause bloating and make you feel gassy.
04/7Yellow
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These variants are the ‘perfect’ bananas for many. This sweeter, softer yellow banana is easier to digest as the resistant starch changes into simple sugar. They contain more antioxidants when compared to the green ones, as bananas have a higher level of antioxidants as they ripen. But the higher glycemic index makes the yellow variant something Type 2 Diabetes patients need to avoid.
05/7Spotted
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These spots indicate the amount of starch that has been converted into sugar. This means the more the number of spots, the higher the sugar content in it. Think of these brown spots as immune system boosters as they are incredibly rich in antioxidants. The best part? They might also help protect you from cancer as spotted bananas are known to be linked to Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and TNF is linked to destroying tumours.
06/7Brown
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When bananas turn a shade of brown, most of us tend to discard them without giving a second thought. Interestingly, while these mushy, brown bananas might look unappetizing to you, they are the powerhouse of antioxidants. In one of the polls conducted by the Times of India regarding the healthiest banana, a majority of people leaned towards the spotted bananas, calling them the healthiest choice of bananas, while in reality, it is the brown variety that packs the most antioxidants. Be warned that while brown bananas are extremely high on antioxidants, all the starch has broken down into sugar, hence, it must be completely avoided by diabetes patients and those watching their sugar intake. Tip: If the brown colour and mushy texture of bananas put you off, you can always mash them to make banana bread and pancakes.
07/7The bottom line
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Ultimately, while the brown bananas contain the most antibiotics, the healthiest banana is the one that fulfills your nutritional requirements and suits your lifestyle needs. Case in point, if you are watching your sugar intake and want a snack that fills you up quickly, you can go for the green variant. The yellow or spotted bananas can be very easily digested as they contain a lot of antioxidants. Lastly, you can always whip up some pancakes and banana bread with the help of brown bananas and not feel guilty of them not being healthy.
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