This post will provide information on "What are the health benefits of plantain (Musa paradisiaca)?" as well as provide answers to questions like: When did plantains originate? Is plantain Caribbean or African? What are the history of fried plantains? Where does the name plantain come from? Are plantains healthier than bananas?Is it good to eat plantain everyday? Is plantain good for weight loss? Why are plantains bad for you? What happens if you eat too many plantains? What does plantain do to the body?Can plantain be bad for you? Is plantain safe to eat?
Plantains are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia. Two groups of plantains are thought to have a common origin: the horn plantain and the French plantain. Both types grow in India, Africa, Egypt, and tropical America. The French plantains also occur in Indonesia and the islands of the Pacific. In some parts of East Africa the plantain is an important beer-making crop, notably in central and eastern Uganda and Tanzania. Globally, plantains account for about 85 percent of all banana cultivation worldwide. Plantain, major group of banana varieties (genus Musa) that are staple foods in many tropical areas. The edible fruit of plantain bananas has more starch than the common dessert banana and is not eaten raw. Because plantains have the most starch before they ripen, they are usually cooked green, either boiled or fried, in savory dishes. The ripe fruits are mildly sweet and are often cooked with coconut juice or sugar as a flavouring. Plantains may also be dried for later use in cooking or ground for use as a meal, which can be further refined to a flour.
The plantain plant is a gigantic herb that springs from an underground stem, or rhizome. Most varieties are 3–10 metres (10–33 feet) tall and have a conical false “trunk” formed by the leaf sheaths of long spirally arranged leaves. The fruit, which is green to brown-yellow, is typically larger than the common banana and is borne in bunches.
- The resistant starch acts as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon
- Plantains have a fair amount of fiber, which improves bowel function
- Plantains have a GI in the 40s, making them a good food choice for people with diabetes
- Plantains help in blood pressure control
- Plantains contain micronutrients such as Vitamin C, vitamin B6, and magnesium which support healthy immune system
Adverse effects of plantain include anaphylaxis, chest congestion, sneezing and watery eyes, occupational asthma, and a situation involving the occurrence of a giant phytobezoar (a gastric concretion composed of vegetable matter) composed of psyllium seed husks.