Reasons for Low Consumption of Plantains
Cost
What vitamins are in plantains?
Plantains are a nutrient-packed member of the banana family that provide a range of health benefits, including high levels of Vitamin C and Vitamin A. According to WebMD, plantains contain 23% Vitamin C, 17% Vitamin A, and 0% Iron, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin D and Cobalamin per serving. Eating plantains can also help keep your digestive system healthy due to their high fiber content.
What nutrients does eating plantains provide?
Plantains are an excellent source of several essential nutrients, providing vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin B6. One cup of boiled green plantains (137g) contains 166 calories, 1.5g of protein, 40g of carbohydrates, and 0.1g of fat, according to Verywell Fit on verywellfit.com in 2021. Plantains are low in sodium and saturated fat, making them a healthy choice for many diets.
How does banana and plantain production contribute to African countries?
Banana and plantain are widely cultivated in many African countries, with Uganda as the largest producer in sub-Saharan Africa, according to IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) on iita.org, 2020. It is believed that banana and plantain production contributes to the economic development of many African countries.
Availability
Can plantains be beneficial for people with diabetes?
Plantains can be a beneficial food item for those living with diabetes, providing them with rich sources of carbohydrates and other nutritional and culinary qualities. As mentioned in a multi country authored article on PubMed.gov, plantains are a preferred food item for those living with diabetes despite being taboo by many diabetes care providers. As a result, plantains can have a positive effect on glycemic control, allowing for more flexibility in dietary choices.
What is the daily consumption of boiled, fried and ripe banana among children from Cameroon and Nigeria?
The study of plantain value chain in two regions in Ghana shows a high daily consumption level of boiled, fried and ripe banana among children from Cameroon and Nigeria. From the research conducted by the University of Ghana (2020), on Plantain Value Chain, an average of 225g, 136g and 145g of boiled plantain, fried plantain and ripe banana respectively were consumed daily by children from Cameroon, while those from Nigeria consumed an average of 112g, 82g and 80g.
What climate is best for growing plantains?
Plantains require a hot and humid climate, high rainfall and light, and optimal temperatures of 27°C (98.6°F) in order to grow optimally according to PlantVillage.psu.edu, 2018. They are also used for a variety of culinary and medicinal purposes.
Preparation Time
Can plantains be part of a diabetes-friendly diet?
Plantains can be a part of a diabetes-friendly diet when prepared and served in ways that reduce their glycaemic load and total caloric load, according to a study done at the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2019. This can be done by reducing their glycaemic index, which is an indicator of the rate of absorption of carbohydrates in the food. Plantains are a rich source of carbohydrates, providing an important source of energy for many people around the world.
How can medicinal plantain tea help?
To make medicinal plantain tea, boil one tablespoon of fresh leaves per cup of water for 5-10 minutes, then strain. According to RusticWise.com, drinking this tea 3-6 times per day can help relieve cold and cough symptoms. Plantain is also known for its antioxidant content, which can help reduce inflammation.
What are the potential benefits and side effects of plantain weed?
Plantain weed is generally safe to consume for most healthy adults, either raw or cooked, but may cause mild symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when taken as a supplement. As reported by Healthline, plantain weed has potential benefits, side effects, and uses that should be considered before use. Research suggests that plantain weed may possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Taste
What are the differences between plantains and Cavendish bananas?
Plantains are an excellent source of Vitamin A, containing 17% of the recommended daily value. WebMD (on webmd.com, 2020) states that plantains belong to the banana family but have very different properties from Cavendish bananas which are commonly eaten. Plantains contain no Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin D, or Cobalamin.
Can plantains be part of a healthy diet?
Plantains can be an excellent addition to meals or snacks, providing a healthy source of carbohydrates, protein and other essential nutrients. Via WebMD, a 100 gram serving of plantain has 122 calories, 0.4 grams of fat, 32 grams of carbohydrates and 1.3 grams of protein. Plantains are rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and iron.
Which has more carbs, plantains or bananas?
Plantains are higher in carbs than bananas, with an average of 32 grams per 100-gram serving compared to 23 grams for bananas, according to Healthline, on Nov 26, 2021. The amount of carbs can vary depending on the ripeness of the fruit.
Nutrition
Can plantains be part of a balanced diet?
Plantains are a healthy food choice that can provide essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B-6 and Magnesium, while being low in fat and protein. From Healthline, plantains should be part of a balanced diet like many grains in the United States. Plantains are a good source of dietary fiber and potassium, with one medium-sized plantain providing about 3.5 grams of fiber and 358 milligrams of potassium.
What are the health benefits of plantains?
Plantains are an excellent source of nutrition, providing 166 calories, 1.5g of protein, 40g of carbohydrates, and 0.1g of fat along with high levels of vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin B6 per cup. As mentioned in Verywell Fit, plantains are a nutritious food source that can be beneficial for health, 2021. Plantains are low in saturated fat and sodium, making them a healthier alternative to some other carbohydrate sources.
Plantains are a nutritious and versatile food, containing a high amount of Vitamin A and C, as well as other important nutrients. Via WebMD, plantains are part of the banana family, but differ greatly from Cavendish bananas. Plantains have a low content of Iron, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin D, and Cobalamin.
Difficulty of Peeling
How can you easily peel a plantain?
Peeling a plantain is easy with the use of a knife and can be done by simply cutting the peel along the length, making a cut in the middle around the circumference of the plantain, and then cutting it in half if needed. Cited from The Spruce Eats, in 2020, it is recommended to hold the plantain firmly and only cut as deep as the peel is thick. Plantains are typically cooked before being eaten.
Peeling a plantain is easy and can be done with a sharp paring knife by cutting off the stem and tip of the plantain, then slicing the skin along its length. Attributed to wikiHow, 2020, plantains are a type of starchy fruit that are related to bananas but are used more like a vegetable in cooking.
What nutritional benefits do bananas and plantains provide?
Bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) have been an integral part of the human diet since ancient times (Brown et al., 2017). They are a staple food in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world, providing essential nutrients and fuel for those who consume them (Brown et al., 2017). Bananas are a major source of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, and other vital vitamins and minerals.
Perceived Health Benefits
What are the health benefits of plantains?
Plantains are a nutritious food source that provide a range of health benefits, including being a low-fat source of starchy carbohydrates and fiber, and containing good amounts of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and potassium. Cited from Medical News Today, plantains can be an important part of a balanced diet. Research has found that plantains are a good source of antioxidants which can help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.
Plantains are an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, providing 166 calories, 1.5g of protein, and 40g of carbohydrates per cup. Cited on Verywell Fit (on verywellfit.com, 2021), plantains are also a good source of magnesium and potassium.
Plantains are highly nutritious, offering a range of health benefits such as promoting digestive health, weight loss, and improved dietary adherence. Via Stylecraze.com, the fiber found in plantains helps keep you feeling fuller for longer and can reduce weight gain when incorporated into a calorie-restricted diet. Plantain intake may help support a healthy gut microbiota.
Fragility
What are the health benefits of plantains?
Plantains are an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 and provide 166 calories per cup when boiled. As mentioned in Verywell Fit, plantains are packed with numerous health benefits, such as improved digestive health and lowered cholesterol levels. Research has shown that the antioxidants present in plantains may help protect against chronic diseases.
What are the nutritional benefits of roots and tubers?
The main nutritional value of roots and tubers lies in their ability to provide one of the cheapest sources of dietary energy in the form of carbohydrates, according to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) in 2019. Tubers have a high water content, providing about one-third of the energy that an equivalent weight of grain, such as rice or wheat, would provide.
Which has more carbs, plantains or bananas?
Plantains contain more carbs than bananas, with 32 grams per 100-gram serving versus 23 grams, according to Healthline (Nov. 2021). This amount can vary depending on the ripeness of the fruit. Plantains are also starchier than bananas, making them better suited for cooking.
Perception of Excess Carbohydrates
What are the benefits of eating plantains for people with diabetes?
For persons living with diabetes, plantains are a preferred food item due to their nutritional and culinary qualities, as discussed in the multi-country authored article "Plantains: Gluco-friendly usage" published on National Center for Web, 2019. Plantains are a rich source of carbohydrates and are therefore a staple food for many people around the world.
What are the main nutritional benefits of roots and tubers?
The main nutritional value of roots and tubers lies in their ability to provide one of the cheapest sources of dietary energy, in the form of carbohydrates, according to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), on fao.org, 2018. This energy is about one-third of that of an equivalent weight of grain, such as rice or wheat, due to their high water content.
Do ripe plantains contain more sugar than green plantains?
Ripe plantain (Musa spp.) contain significantly more sugar than green plantain, with 31.6% sugar in the peel and 17.3% in the pulp, according to a study by the USDA in 2016. Ripe plantain also contains higher amounts of other important nutrients like energy, carbohydrates, proteins, and dietary fiber.
Biodiversity of Varieties
What action is being taken to protect biodiversity?
Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate due to human activities, such as land use changes, pollution and climate change, according to the European Commission's new 2030 Biodiversity Strategy presented in May 2020. This has caused numerous concerns among lawmakers, who in January 2020 called for action to be taken to protect biodiversity. It is also essential to understand the effects of climate change on biodiversity in order to protect species from extinction.
What benefits does the banana provide to people?
Bananas (Musa spp.) are an important staple food for people living in tropical and sub-tropical regions, according to Brown et al. (2017) on ResearchGate. Bananas have been part of the human diet since the start of recorded history.
What role does biodiversity play in human health?
Biodiversity is essential for human health, as it provides the resources for food production and nutrition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), biodiversity is crucial in sustaining the productivity of soils and providing the genetic resources for crops, livestock, and marine species harvested for food. Access to a variety of nutritious food is essential for good health.
Source:
- Webmd : Plantain, Health Benefits, Nutrients, Serving, Preparation, - WebMD.
- Nih : Plantains, Gluco-friendly usage, - National Center.
- Rusticwise : Plantain Leaves, Medicinal Uses.
- Webmd : a Healthy Side Dish, Snack.
- Healthline : Plantains, The Nutrition Facts, Health Benefits.
