15 Surprising Uses for Bananas and Banana Peels
Bananas aren't just nature's most portable snack.
They also come with very high nutritional values, including vitamin A, vitamin C, many
of the vitamin B family, potassium and three natural sugars.
Sucrose, fructose and glucose.
But if you thought nutrition is where the role of the banana ends, think again!
Here are some unexpected ways that you can use bananas that you probably never thought
of.
Number 1 - Kick Your Smoking Habit
Smoking is a nasty habit.
But did you know that bananas can actually help you stop smoking?!
The vitamins B12, B6 and the minerals potassium and magnesium found in a banana, help the
body overcome the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
So, if you are thinking about quitting, make sure to stock up on some bananas!
Number 2 - Cure a Hangover
We are all guilty of having a few too many drinks every now and then.
I know that I am.
But, I’m going to share my go-to hangover remedy with you!
So, after a night of heavy drinking, simply make a banana smoothie, sweetened with honey.
The banana helps calm your stomach, and the honey builds up the depleted blood sugar levels.
Bananas are also rich in the important electrolytes, magnesium and potassium, which are severely
depleted during heavy drinking.
Number 3 - Ripen Avocados
Do you love your avocados?
While you could eat all the avocado toast and guacamole in the world, sometimes avocados
just don’t ripen fast enough.
In order to satisfy your avocado craving, for all your cooking needs, use a banana to
help speed up the ripening process.
Bananas release ethylene, which triggers ripening in avocados.
Simply place a banana in a brown paper bag and roll it up with an avocado.
Check it daily until it is ripe.
Number 4 - Tenderize a Roast
The next time you fear the roast you’re cooking will turn tough on you, try softening
it up by adding a ripe, peeled banana to the pan.
Banana leaves are commonly used in many Asian countries to wrap meat before cooking to make
it more tender.
Some folks in these areas say the banana itself also has this ability.
So, give it a try!
Number 5 - Treat Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be a real pain in the ass!
Literally.
So if you happen to suffer from this annoying condition, eat 2 to 3 bananas every day, on
an empty stomach, morning and evening, until you get some relief.
Number 6 - Make a Face Mask
Who needs Botox when there are bananas?
That’s right!
You can use a banana as an all-natural face mask that moisturizes your skin and leaves
it looking and feeling softer.
Mash up a medium-sized ripe banana into a smooth paste, then gently apply it to your
face and neck.
Let it set for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water.
Number 7 - Assist with First Aid
Banana peels have anti-inflammatory properties.
This means that they are very useful when it comes to bug bites, minor scrapes, poison
ivy, and sunburn.
All you have to do is put the banana peel on the affected area, and press it like you
would a cold compress.
You can repeat this process frequently, until you feel some relief.
Number 8 - Polish Leather Shoes
This may sound a bit silly, but trust me, using the peel of a banana is actually a great
way to put the shine back into your leather shoes.
First, remove any of the leftover stringy material from the inside of the banana skin,
then just start rubbing the inside of the peel on your shoes.
When you’re done, buff your shoes with a paper towel or soft cloth.
Your shoes will look like new.
Number 9 - Brighten Up Plants
Are the leaves on your houseplants looking dingy or dusty?
Don’t bother misting them with water since this just spreads the dirt around.
Rather, wipe down each leaf with the inside of a banana peel.
It’ll remove all the gunk on the surface and replace it with a lustrous shine.
Number 10 - Remove Warts
Warts are stubborn and gross, so needless to say, nobody wants one.
A natural way you can go about removing a wart is by using a banana peel.
Cut a piece of ripe banana peel to cover the affected area using the inside, and keep it
there overnight with some medical tape.
In the morning you should notice some improvement, and you can repeat the process nightly until
it’s gone!
Number 11 - Exfoliate Dry Skin
In order to keep your skin feeling smooth and radiant, you can create a body scrub with
a banana.
There are many different variations depending on the type of scrub you need.
For a gentle scrub, you can mix a mashed banana with brown sugar.
For a medium scrub, try mixing in sea salt.
If you find that you need a heavy duty scrub, grind apricot pits at home and add it to your
banana to really dig deep into your pores.
Number 12 - Whiten Teeth
Pearly whites are really nice to have.
But, do you really want to spend all that money on expensive whitening treatments?
Well, you don’t need to!
Banana peels contain citric acid, which will help lighten surface stains on your teeth.
For natural teeth-whitening at home, after giving your teeth a good brush, simply rub
the banana peel on the surface of your teeth for about two minutes every day.
Your smile will not only be whiter, but brighter!
Number 13 - Restore Dry Hair
Is your head starting to resemble a bird’s nest?
Don’t fret!
Bananas offer a great way to combat that stringy and brittle feeling.
To make a banana hair mask, puree one to three really ripe bananas, depending on your hair
length, and then massage it throughout your scalp to your ends.
Let it sit for 15 minutes, and then rinse it in the shower, followed by a shampoo.
Number 14 - Ease Heartburn
Bananas are an alkaline fruit.
This means they can help neutralize acid in the stomach.
You can eat bananas regularly, as a home remedy for heartburn and GERD.
Add a banana to your breakfast to help coat your stomach for the rest of the day.
Number 15 - Make a Dog Treat
Dogs love human food, but most of the time our cherished pooches cannot digest what we
eat.
Bananas however, are foods that our pets can enjoy too.
They are high in fiber, magnesium, and potassium.
The next time you want to treat your beloved pet, simply mash up a banana, and add it to
your dog’s favorite food.
They will chow it right down!
Now, it’s your turn.
How do YOU like to use your banana?!
Let us know in the comments below!
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