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BANANA peel has a wide
Nutritional and Practical Don’t throw away that banana peel. Put it to use!
BY CHRISTINE R. GONZALEZ | ILLUSTRATIONS BY WILL JONES
variety of uses, from bright-ening
skin and teeth to being
cooked and eaten as a bacon
replacement. There are even some “out
there” claims about the wonders of the
peel that include removing wood splin-ters,
eliminating warts, treating acne and shining shoes.
Peels have more uses than just adding them to the compost
heap. They contain nutrients that include vitamins B6 and
B12, magnesium, potassium, fiber, protein, and cancer-fighting
antioxidants.
The inner part of the peel contains polysaccharides, which
have been reported to stop the itch of mosquito bites. Others
claim it aids in relief of psoriasis and cuts, and reduces swell-ing
from acne. Reports suggest the moisture-packed peel can
draw out wood splinters if taped to the area for about
30 minutes. A longer, daily process is suggested for healing
warts. Attach the inside of a green or slightly yellow banana
peel to the wart at night for a few weeks to make it shrink away.
The fleshy peel can be used to polish leather shoes. The
potassium seeps into the leather and heals or fills the scuff marks,
leaving shoes looking new after a buff with a clean, soft rag.
Plant growers may already be making fertilizer with peel and
water but might not be aware that the mix also deters aphids
and ants, which don’t like the high potassium. Another use is
to polish the leaves of indoor plants. A banana peel can gently
remove dust and add a shine.
At-home beauty articles tout using peel to whiten teeth and
tighten skin. Rub the
inside of the peel on
teeth and let it sit for
about 10 minutes,
then brush as usual.
Doing this daily for
one to two weeks
can whiten teeth,
and the antioxidants
in the peel may
also help fight gum
diseases.
For tighter, brighter skin, place
banana peel insides on skin, across the
eyes, under eyes and on cheekbones for
about 10 minutes, then wash away the
residue and moisturize.
Of course, the primary use of a
banana is to eat it, so why should it
be different for the peel?
Like all edible fruit peelings, the banana peel will need a
good, gentle scrubbing and air dry before use. Then it can be
boiled to make sleep-enhancing tea or used uncooked as a
smoothie ingredient.
But one of the most alluring ideas, especially for anyone
trying to eat less meat, is to fry up some like bacon.
Peel bacon looks a lot like the real thing and the
taste is similar to pork bacon, but it will likely take
some experimenting to achieve a close faux bacon
product. One popular recipe calls
for a soy sauce marinade, but that
can make it too salty. Suggestions
would be to use a low-sodium blend,
maybe watered down, or use coco-nut
aminos as advised in a peel
bacon recipe available at
GirlsWhoEat.com.
It is important to have
the skillet or air fryer
warmed up before cook-ing.
Peel bacon cooks
extremely fast, in about two minutes, so it should be tended. It
is done when it starts to bubble.
Banana peel is an inexpensive meat substitute with fiber
and nutrients, but it is a bit carb heavy. Carb Manager figures
one banana peel contains 55g total carbs, 51g net carbs, 2g fat,
9g protein and about 260 calories.
Many other uses can be found online. Cooks sometimes
wrap drier meats, like chicken, in banana peel to help retain
juices. The Food Network lists a banana peel cake recipe. And
someone found and reported in Prevention Magazine that
rubbing peel on a CD or DVD and then using a glass cleaner
can fix a skip.
Note: None of the above claims have undergone clinical research. Consume and use banana peel at your own risk.
22 january 2022
WBM