Banana Stem: Benefits & Side Effects

Overview of Banana

The banana stem is a layered flower stalk of the plant that hides numerous nutrients in its rich fibrous stem. It is mostly cultivated in India, Ecuador, the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, and China.

People utilize every part of the plant, from stem to fruit, for medicinal purposes. Read on to discover more about its benefits and potential side effects.

What is a Banana Stem?

The banana stem is the root part of the plant, appearing cylindrical and measuring up to 1.5 cm in diameter. Its color ranges from white to pale green with fibery layers inside. It is a common food in the South and Southeast Asian cuisine. It is loaded with nutrients like fiber, vitamins, calcium, and potassium. Including them in the diet will aid digestion, prevent constipation, and lower cholesterol levels.

Nutritional Contents in Banana Stem

• Saturated Fat
• Monounsaturated Fat
• Polyunsaturated Fat
• Calories
• Sodium
• Carbohydrates
• Protein 
• Dietary Fiber
• Vitamins and Minerals
• Potassium 
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B6
• Magnesium
• Iron

10 Health Benefits of Banana Stem

1. Digestive Health

The rich fiber content in the banana stem regulates digestion, bowel movement, and intestines. Drinking banana stem juice will flush out the toxins from the body. The diuretic properties of the stem remove excess fluids to promote better health. 

2. Weight Management

Banana stem juice will be a simple and effective recipe for weight loss. The fiber source restrains the hunger and keeps you filled for a longer time. Moreover, it stabilizes sugar and fat released into the body cells.    

Are you looking for tips for weight loss? Check out the best juices for weight loss to reduce your weight more effectively. 

3. Heart Health

The potassium content in the stem aids in regulating blood pressure keeping heart risks at bay.     

4. Kidney Health

It is a boon to people who are diagnosed with gallbladder stones. It is a good addition to their diet. Stem juice is an herbal diuretic drink that gushes out kidney stones more effectively. Additionally, the combination of banana stem and cardamom treats cystitis, a type of urinary infection (UTI).

5. Detoxification

The diuretic properties of the banana branch act as a good detoxifier. It is widely recommended by physicians for gut health. Besides detoxifying, it regulates and balances the acid levels in the stomach so that the risk of heartburn and stomach discomfort will be lessened. 

6. Diabetes Management

Banana stem has abundant amounts of vitamin B6, which helps in stabilizing many functionalities of the body. The lack of vitamin B6 may cause diabetes. In that case, consuming them regularly could help fight them easily. Also, it supports the production of hemoglobin and insulin. his vegetable is perfect for diabetes as it has a low glycemic index. 

7. Cholesterol Reduction

Heart diseases are mostly caused by high levels of cholesterol. Banana stem is believed to reduce and manage cholesterol levels. It is used to treat hyperglycemia. Lectin in the stem stabilizes the growth of fatty cells. 

8. Treats Anemia

Since banana stems contain vitamin B6 and iron, it is recommended by Physicians as a treatment for anemia. 

9. Relieves Constipation

The fiber in the plantain stem can soothe the bowel movement and provide relief from constipation. Consuming it as juice can also be more effective.

10. Improves Overall Well-being

As the banana stem is rich in multiple nutrients such as vitamin B6, calcium, iron, and potassium adding them to the diet will make it more beneficial for overall health.  

Types of Banana Stem Recipes

Banana Stem Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 banana stem
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 2-3 green chilies, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Buttermilk (for soaking)

Instructions:

• Prepare the Stem:
  Peel off the outer layers of the stem until you reach the tender inner core.
  Chop them finely into small pieces.
• Soak in Buttermilk:
  Place the chopped pieces in a bowl of buttermilk. This will prevent them from turning brown.
• Prepare the Salad:
  In a separate mixing bowl, combine chopped onions, chopped green chilies, and grated coconut.
  Drain them from the buttermilk and add them to the mixing bowl.
• Season and Mix:
  Sprinkle salt over the salad ingredients according to your taste.
  Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the mixture.
  Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined.
• Serve:
  Transfer the salad to a serving dish.
  Serve fresh as a delightful and healthy salad option.

Banana Stem Curry

Ingredients:

• 1 banana stem, chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• Masalas of your choice (such as turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder)
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)
• Cooking oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Prepare the Banana Stem:
  Peel off the outer layers until you reach the tender inner core.
  Chop them finely into small pieces.
• Saute Onion and Garlic:
  Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat.
  Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the pan.
  Saute them until the onions turn translucent and the garlic becomes aromatic.
• Add Banana Stem and Masalas:
  Once the onions and garlic are cooked, add the chopped pieces to the pan.
  Sprinkle your choice of masalas (such as turmeric, chili powder, or coriander powder) according to your taste preferences.
  Stir well to coat the pieces evenly with the masalas.
• Incorporate Grated Coconut:
  Add grated coconut to the pan and mix it with the banana stem mixture.
• Cook the Curry:
  Pour a small amount of water into the pan, just enough to create a gravy.
  Season with salt according to your taste.
  Cover the pan and let the curry simmer on low heat until the stem is tender and the flavors are well combined. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Garnish and Serve:
  Once the curry is boiled and the stem is cooked through, turn off the heat.
  Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves for a burst of freshness.
• Serve Warm:
  Transfer the Curry to a serving dish.
  Serve hot with rice or any Indian bread of your choice.

Banana Stem Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 banana stem, chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 green chillies, chopped
• 1-inch ginger, grated
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons cornflour mixed with water to make a slurry
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Pepper powder for garnish
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Saute Aromatics:
  Heat a pan over medium heat and add chopped onions, green chilies, grated ginger, and minced garlic.
  Saute until the onions turn translucent and the mixture becomes fragrant.
• Add Banana Stem and Spices:
  Add the chopped pieces to the pan and mix well with the sauteed aromatics.
  Sprinkle turmeric powder and salt over the mixture and stir to combine.
• Boil with Water:
  Pour in the water and mix everything.
  Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the banana stem is tender.
• Thicken the Soup:
  Once the stem is cooked, pour in the cornflour slurry while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
  Allow the soup to boil for a few minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
• Finish with Lemon Juice:
  Stir in the lemon juice to brighten up the flavors of the soup.

Banana Stem Juice

Ingredients:

• 1 banana stem, chopped
• 1 tablespoon honey (or to taste)
• 1-inch piece of ginger peeled and chopped
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

• Prepare the Blender:
  Place the chopped pieces, of honey, chopped ginger, and water into a blender.
• Blend until Smooth:
  Secure the lid on the blender tightly.
  Blend the ingredients on high speed until they are completely smooth and well combined.
• Strain (optional):
  If desired, strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove any fibrous bits and achieve a smoother texture.

Banana Stem Buttermilk

Ingredients:

• 1-inch piece of ginger peeled and chopped
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 banana stem, chopped
• A handful of curry leaves
• 1 cup plain yogurt (curd)
• 2 cups water
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Prepare the Blender:
  Place the chopped ginger, green chilies, stem, and curry leaves into a blender.
• Blend until Smooth:
  Secure the lid on the blender tightly.
  Blend the ingredients on high speed until they form a smooth paste.
• Strain the Mixture:
  Use a fine mesh strainer to filter the blended mixture, extracting the juice while leaving behind any fibrous bits.
• Prepare Buttermilk Base:
  In a large mixing bowl, add plain yogurt (curd).
  Pour in the filtered mixture.
• Whisk and Dilute:
  Add water to the bowl, adjusting the quantity according to your desired consistency.
  Season with salt to taste.
  Whisk the mixture well until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the buttermilk is smooth

Potential Side Effects of Banana Stem

It doesn’t cause any major side effects. However, it is based on the individual’s medical history and the amount of stem they consumed. In some cases, people may sense side effects like;

• Stomach pain
• Skin allergy
• Vomiting
• Liver Infection
• Diarrhea 
• Nausea 

Summarizing, the banana stem is the most nutritional food. Consuming regularly will improve overall health. You can consume it in any form you like–juice, curry, soup.