Varieties of Bananas: Nutritional Value at an Affordable Price - Research Paper Example

?Munshi Akbar Sharon Mueller English 1301 9 November Bananas Outline Thesis ment Taxonomy A. Musa genus B. Musaceae family C. M. acuminata Colla species D. M. X paradisiaca L. hybrid. III. Varieties A. Major Group 1. Sucrier 2. Gros Michel B. Subgroup 1. Cavendish A. Dwarf Cavendish B. Giant Cavendish C. Bungulan IV. Food Uses A. Raw. B. Boiled or baked. C. Preserved. V. Nutritional Value A. Low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium B. Good source of potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6. VI. Contrasts and comparisons VII. Conclusion Thesis Statement Various varieties of bananas exist in different parts of the world offering nutritional value at an affordable price. Bananas are fruits available throughout the year in tropical countries, and they come in different varieties, shapes, and colors. Bananas grow from a rhizome, stretch through a thick stem and develop flowers (“banana”). The varieties of use make banana one of the most valued crops in the world. The fruit’s nutritional value and relatively low price make it an attractive export product for countries in Southeast Asia, South America, and East Africa (Morton 37). This essay describes the taxonomy, characteristics, varieties, and food uses of bananas. In addition, the essay will give comparison and contrasts of “bananas are good for health”, versus “bananas are bad for health.” Taxonomy Bananas come from the genus Musa of the family “Musaceae” (“banana”), and the seedless, edible ones come from the “species M. acuminata Colla or the hybrid M. X paradisiaca L.” (Morton 30). The different species of banana provide a clue to the fruit’s geographical origins, usually found in countries with tropical climates like Brazil, India, and Indonesia. Having various hybrids further expands the fruit’s varieties and ensures continuous cultivation and propagation. Varieties The classification of bananas occurs into two principal groups namely Sucrier and Gros Michel. The Cavendish subgroup includes the Giant Cavendish, the Dwarf Cavendish, and Bungulan (Morton 35). Predominantly found in Colombia, the Philippines, and Burma, bananas from the Sucrier group are small in size, sweet, with thin skin (Morton 35). Bananas from the Sucrier group are readily consumable due to their size and taste; people use them in dessert recipes. The Gros Michel group produces bananas that are larger than the ones in the Sucrier group, are yellow in color, and usually found in South America, Central Africa, and the Caribbean (Morton 36). The Cavendish subgroup includes the Giant and Dwarf Cavendish, and the Bungulan (Morton37). Medium-sized, thin-skinned, and delicate, the Dwarf Cavendish, grows in China, East Africa, and South Africa. The Giant Cavendish is larger than the Dwarf Cavendish and closely resembles the Gros Michel (Morton 37). Ripening unevenly during the winter and prone to quick spoilage, Jamaicans mostly use the Bungulan for cooking. (Morton 38). Food uses The uses of bananas for food are as diverse as the available varieties and hybrids. A banana may be eaten when raw, peeled, sliced, or mixed with other fruits. Biting the soft, starchy flesh of a banana results in bursts of sweetness or undertones of tanginess. When added in dessert recipes, a banana’s flavor and mushy texture harmonize with the more crunchy and soft ingredients. Broiled or baked, ripe bananas can be served with peanuts and brown sugar (Morton 41). Finally, to preserve a banana, it can be boiled and immersed in a syrup mixture or fried in canola oil and served like potato chips. Nutritional Value In addition to the various food uses of the banana, this fruit possesses “high nutritional value” (“Banana”). As a healthy fruit, banana occupies a significant place in the food level pyramid. Regardless of the manner of consuming a banana, the flavorful, sweet, and starchy fruit is “full of vitamins” (“banana”). Low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium, raw bananas are an abundant source of potassium, fiber, and Vitamin B6 (Morton 43). Long, short, sweet, or delicate, bananas are as useful as they are healthy. Coming from diverse varieties, hybrids, and species, this fruit can be found in various parts of the world and can be enjoyed throughout the year. Whether people eat bananas as raw, baked, broiled, or add them to dessert recipes, every bite of banana brings a load of health benefits that no other fruit can match. Contrasts and comparisons between “bananas are good for health”, and “bananas are bad for health.” Bananas are good for health The various varieties of bananas are for the most part beneficial to human health. A number of health benefits can be derived from the consumption of banana fruits. Bananas contain high levels of natural sugars; consuming two bananas can sustain a person for one and half hours while he or she is working. People derive a lot of energy from the consumption of bananas; gain strength that keeps him or her working without feeling hungry. Anemic people benefit a lot when they consume bananas because of the iron nutrient present in them. Thus, the consumption of bananas reduces the possibility of contracting anemia also plays a role in reducing the side effects of Anemia (Morton 44). Bananas are very rich in potassium and have low amounts of salt, and as such, they regulate blood pressure. Potassium macronutrient plays a key role in regulating the rate of heart beat and maintenance of water balance in the body. In times when we undergo stress, metabolism increases and the loss of potassium takes place very fast from human bodies. A lot of stress results from the deficiency of potassium and it could be advisable for stressed people to take a few bananas to restore the levels of potassium in the body quickly. High content of potassium in bananas also aids the brain; students who regularly consume bananas especially at meal times and break time have the ability to concentrate in class. The consumption of bananas improves bowel action, primarily because of the fruits’ high fiber content. Bananas are more effective than laxatives; therefore, parents should consider using bananas on their children to make improvements when children have difficulties in their bowel. In addition, the inclusion of bananas in meals minimizes the occurrence of conditions such as heartburn. Normally, the fruit has an antacid effect thus preventing a person from getting heartburn. People who regularly experience heartburn should consider taking a few bananas as part of their meals (Morton 45). Bananas considerably reduce the weight especially in overweight persons who often take chocolates and sweets. When obese individuals switch to the consumption of bananas, their weight significantly reduces after some time. Therefore, people with too much weight, which they need to cut down and become slim, should take bananas. Bananas influence moods and make someone feel better because of a chemical known as ‘tryptophan’. Therefore, apart from the treatment of depression, bananas can also be very useful in making normal persons feel good. The change of moods helps people to be happy and overcome challenges resulting from strenuous circumstances and experiences in life. Daily consumption of bananas lessens the incidences of having diseases such as stroke in people. Most people who at least consume bananas on a regular daily basis do not suffer from stroke. Furthermore, bananas have a cooling effect on the body that may extend to the emotions; regularly eating them calms the body. Bananas also treat certain skin conditions such as warts of pimples, which can be cured by applying a banana peel. Leaving pieces of banana peels on the pimples over the night removes them quickly and with less pain. Bananas are bad for health In spite of the health benefits derived from the consumption of bananas, the fruits also health risks when consumed regularly and in large quantities. Although potassium nutrients present in bananas benefits the human body, they may also lead to cardiac arrest and heart damage. High intake of bananas results to abnormal levels of potassium in the bloodstream that intoxicates and harms the body cells. Kidneys may also transfer potassium ions from the blood to the urine. Bananas are starchy food, hence not suitable for a person suffering from illnesses such as diabetes. High amounts of sugars when a person suffers from diabetic predispositions will only worsen the condition. People with diabetes should not have too much sugary foods in their diet. Eating bananas in large amounts and on a regular basis will only make them be at the risk of death resulting from diabetes. Therefore, the fruits are not suitable for persons with diabetes, and they should minimize regular and high consumption of bananas. However, not all bananas cause serious health problems to the diabetic persons; they can still eat boiled bananas that contain less sugary than ripe bananas (Morton 47). The high sugar content of bananas can also cause tooth decay, because sugar produces a certain acid upon contact with the coating of the teeth. Consequently, the acid wears out the surface of the teeth and promotes decay of teeth. Bananas do not contain fatty components; eating a lot of bananas reduces the amount of fatty foods in the diet. Presence of fats in the diet helps in the proper functioning of the brain, as well as providing energy needed by the body for absorption of essential vitamins. There is high deficiency of proteins in bananas, with a content of approximately one gram of proteins in a banana. Just like fats, usefulness of proteins in the diet cannot be belittled, and they should be consumed daily. Food rich in proteins aids in building and repairing the body tissues, as well as improving the immunity. Therefore, high consumption of foods with high content of carbohydrates such as bananas and inadequate intake of proteins results to loss of muscle tissues and low immunity. Conclusion Thus, in conclusion bananas are common due to the varieties of the fruit available in most parts and regions of the world. They can be consumed while ripen and become yellow in color as well as when boiled. Additionally, bananas can be consumed together with other fruits. Bananas thrive in a variety of weather conditions, and they grow in many regions all over the world. Countries in South America, East Africa, and South Asia top the major exporters of banana. Bananas are rich in potassium and fibers, and they also provide calories of energy; therefore, many people tend to prefer the fruits. Although the potassium derived from bananas is harmful to health, benefits of the fruit tend to outweigh the risks. Work cited Morton, Julia F. Fruits of Warm Climates. Florida: Wipf and Stock Publishers. 1987. p 30-50. Print. Read More