Plantains also are known as platanos are the less-sweet, starchier equivalent to the banana. Plantains are an extremely important staple food for people and are very popular all over the world.
They are almost always cooked before eating, unlike dessert banana.
In fact, they taste pretty awful raw, so don’t be tricked by their banana-like features but the benefits? You’ll soon be in the know.
Table of Contents
- 1. Prevents Diabetes
- 2. Healthier Bone Health
- 3. Unripe Plantain Aids Weight Loss
- 4. Digestive Health
- 5. Improves Heart Health
- 6. Unripe Plantain Helps Prevents anemia
- 7. High in antioxidants
- 8. Prevents Menstrual Cramps
- 9. Prevention Of Ulcer
- 10. Provides Better Vision
- 11. Helps In Reduction Of Free Radicals
- 12. Treatments Of Neuritis
- 13. Develops The Immune System
- FAQs
When the plantain is hard upon press and green, you know it is unripe. This unripe plantain is loaded with numerous essential minerals and vitamins such as fiber, potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, vitamin B complex.
Here are a few health benefits of eating unripe plantains you should know.
1. Prevents Diabetes
Unlike, ripe or overripe plantain, unripe plantain is very low in sugar and this makes it ideal for diabetes especially when combined with fiber or protein-rich food such as green vegetables.
Thus, it is a perfect meal for the prevention and management of diabetes.
2. Healthier Bone Health
One of the many unripe plantain benefits is the fact that it is rich in calcium which is an essential mineral for bone mineralization, muscles, teeth, and nail formation.
A meal with plantain will also prevent osteoporosis which causes weakening of the bone.
3. Unripe Plantain Aids Weight Loss
Carbohydrates aren’t necessarily a bad thing for weight management like most people believe. The starch found in plantains is a complex carbohydrate and this makes it essential for weight loss.
They keep you full and more satisfied for longer after a meal, which can mean less snacking on unhealthy foods. These 15 protein rich foods would be of much help to you.
4. Digestive Health
One of the many unripe plantain health benefits you must know is that it aids your digestive system. Fiber is especially important because it promotes bowel regularity. The fiber contained in it also softens your stool and increases stool’s overall size and weight.
Plantain with its rich fiber content makes bowel emptying easier and reduces constipation.
5. Improves Heart Health
Unripe plantain contains some amount of serotonin which plays a role in dilating the arteries and ease blood flow.
Also, being rich in potassium makes it ideal for preventing hypertension.
Its fiber content is also helpful in reducing cholesterol level thereby reducing the risk of developing heart disease
6. Unripe Plantain Helps Prevents anemia
Plantains are rich sources of B-complex vitamins, particularly high in vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine).
Pyridoxine is an important vitamin that has a beneficial role in the treatment of neuritis, anemia, and to decrease homocysteine (one of the causative factors for coronary artery disease (CHD) and stroke episodes) levels in the body.
7. High in antioxidants
Plantains contain roughly 32 percent of the recommended amount of vitamin C. This vitamin acts as an antioxidant and helps build up your immune system.
As an antioxidant, it protects your body against free radical damage that has been associated with aging, heart disease, and even some types of cancer.
8. Prevents Menstrual Cramps
Unripe plantain contains potassium and is rich in fibers that prevent conditions that can irritate the body and in the process prevents pain during menstruation (1). The body needs the antioxidant from unripe plantains to release some of the enzymes your body needs.
More consumption of plantain during your period will help the body relax and help your hormones function properly. Here’s how to soothe menstrual cramps if you have them and these are also the best foods to eat when dealing with menstrual cramps.
9. Prevention Of Ulcer
The powerful antioxidant contained in unripe plantain also prevents ulcer, it makes up for the lack of food in your system. It contains anti-ulcer properties, that secretes mucus into the system which reduces the risk of developing a gastric ulcer and cures it as well.
Discover 8 more ulcer remedies you can count on.
10. Provides Better Vision
Apart from how low the sugar contained in unripe plantain is, it also offers complete protection from the eye problems that might occur. Unripe plantain contains properties that help the eye see more clearly and even for a better complexion. These foods are good for your vision as well.
11. Helps In Reduction Of Free Radicals
It contains lot of vitamin C that help fight free radicals in the body. This includes free radicals within the body from the consumption of alcohol, smoking and inhaling harmful substances. It also cures the body of premature aging as a result of its antioxidants.
12. Treatments Of Neuritis
Plantain contains mineral iron and when unripe, it is more active and has vitamin B6 which produces red blood cell in the body thereby reducing the risk of neuritis and can gradually treat it (4, 5).
Unripe plantain just does not serve as a cure for neuritis but also provides some preventive measures against it, it is advised that people with neuritis should eat more unripe plantain.
13. Develops The Immune System
Unripe plantain is said to contain a lot of vitamin A and powerful antioxidants that help the immune system function properly. It aids the body cells in developing properly and prevents the body from unhealthy bacterias. Consistent consumption of unripe plantain will help the immune system to develop properly.
FAQs
Is unripe plantain good for the liver?
Unripe plantain is known to be rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, serotoni,n, and iron which are all useful in the treatment of liver disorders and diabetes.
Is unripe plantain good for weight loss?
Unripe plantain can help provide 8 percent of the recommended daily intake of fiber which contains no fat-burning properties. It can be a great alternative to ripe plantain if you are trying to burn some calories.
Is it safe to eat unripe plantain?
It is safe to eat unripe plantain as long as you have them cooked first. There are numerous ways plantains can be prepared and enjoyed. Unripe plantains are savory while the ripe ones are quite sweet.
How do you keep unripe plantain from ripening?
Unripe plantains have to become ripe eventually but to keep them from ripening too fast, place them on your kitchen counter when you bring them from the market. But to halt the ripening process, transfer to a refrigerator.
Is unripe plantain carbohydrate?
Unripe plantain is a healthy source of carbohydrates and resistant starch is the main component. Half a cup of boiled unripe plantain contains 224.4 grams of carbohydrate and 83 calories.
Final Thoughts
Research studies have found an inverse relationship between vitamin C intake and lung, breast, colon, stomach, esophagus, and other types of cancers. These benefits are particularly peculiar to pregnant women as they’re likely to benefit more from the goodness unripe plantain provides.
Take a look at our newest recipe that has unripe plantain as the main ingredient. It’s tasty, delicious, and nutrient-filled. Go get the Fish and Plantain Strips recipe.
