Which is he althier - a small banana or a big one?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

In winter, banana, along with citrus fruits, is one of the most popular berries in our country. The annual consumption of these fruits is more than 7 kg per capita. As a rule, bananas of a certain variety are sold in stores, about 20 cm long and no more than 3 cm in diameter. But, for example, in Thailand you can see fruits whose length is at least 3 times less. We will tell you about the difference between a small banana and a large one in our article. Here we present customer reviews about the taste of bananas.

What is the difference between small bananas and large ones

There are about 500 varieties of bananas in the world, most of which are edible. However, only 2-3 types of this berry are imported to Russia.

The most common variety is Cavendish. Large fruits of bright yellow color with a thick skin and sweet elastic pulp reach a length of 25 cm. As the banana ripens, the flesh becomes softer. This variety is grown in Taiwan, the Hawaiian Islands, Ecuador, Colombia, Australia andother countries. These are the same bananas that are most often presented on store shelves.

In a number of tropical countries of Central America and Central Africa, in Thailand, you can see not a standard, but a very small banana. This variety is called Lady Finger or Lady Finger. The fruits of this plant are no more than 10 cm in length. Bananas with yellow thick skins have very sweet flesh, much sweeter than traditional varieties. In terms of gastronomic qualities, they are several times better, but their cost is much higher. Sold in bundles of 12-20.

At first glance, a small and a large banana differ only in size and slightly in taste. But how similar they are in nutritional value, consider below.

Calorie and nutritional value

Banana is a high-calorie food. 100 grams of one berry contains 96 kcal. And since the average fruit weight is 160 g, the total calorie content of one banana is over 150 kcal. But despite this, the berry has a low glycemic index (18 units), which is a great advantage for the body.

A small banana and a large one have the same calorie content and nutritional value. They contain 1.5 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat and 21 g of carbohydrates. Almost 74% of the pulp of the berry is water. Banana contains 13 vital vitamins (A, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B9, E, C, K, PP), a large number of micro and macro elements (potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese,selenium, zinc, fluorine). The bright yellow fruits hold the record for the highest amount of potassium compared to peaches, mangoes and pineapples. 100 grams of banana contains 10% of the daily value of potassium (348 mg).

The benefits and harms of bananas for the body

Doctors and nutritionists unanimously talk about the benefits of bananas for the body. Moreover, they do not focus on what size or variety of fruits should be eaten. For example, a small banana can bring the following benefits to the body:

• remove excess s alt from the body and improve the water-s alt balance due to the high content of potassium;
• prevention of edema;
• normalization of pressure;
• protection of the intestinal walls from irritation, which is especially important in case of peptic ulcer disease;
• improving mood due to the content of serotonin in banana pulp;
• improvement of skin condition, prevention of aging;
• fighting stress and depression;
• strengthening immunity.

Despite all the benefits of a banana, there is a group of people who are allergic to it. They are categorically contraindicated in eating yellow fruit.

Which bananas are he althier - small or large

Many people believe that small and large bananas differ not only in appearance and taste, but also in nutritional value and useful properties. But this opinion is erroneous. Both a small banana and a large one are equally beneficial for the body. The size of the fruits has absolutely no effect on their composition or value.

Bananas are rich in pectins and coarse fibers, they contain 13 important vitamins and 10 minerals, they have a low glycemic index and hold the record for the amount of potassium. This fruit must be included in your daily diet for children, pregnant women, the elderly and all other people. Bananas can be eaten fresh as well as dried. But it should be borne in mind that the calorie content of such fruits will no longer be 96, but 320 kcal per 100 grams.

Customer Reviews

According to buyers, the taste of small bananas is more intense, bright. However, in stores they are sold 2-3 times more expensive than fruits of standard sizes. Some people, on the contrary, find them a bit dry compared to large bananas.

The choice of which banana to prefer - large or small, depends only on the buyer and his financial capabilities. Most people prefer finger fruit in terms of taste, but only if they are well ripened. Otherwise, it is better to choose not a small, but a large, but ripe, bright yellow banana. In any case, the nutritional value, calorie content and benefits for the body will be equally high.