Health Benefits of Plantains!
I love plantains, cook on the side of some couscous and veggies, they really hit the spot. I'll be the first to say that I thought they were and different type of banana that tasted similar, but they were totally different. I love eating them and grateful of my change of eating because I don't think I would have ever tried them and experience how good but healthy they are for the body.
Here are some of the health benefits of plantains.
Vitamin C
Plantains are also a source of vitamin C. Studies say that one plantain supplies you with 20mg of vitamin C in each 3.5 oz. serving. This translates to between 40mg and 60mg of vitamin C, depending on the size of your plantain. Consuming enough vitamin C helps your body fight off infections that can lead to sickness and also promotes healthy gums, teeth and skin. Getting plenty of vitamin C also helps your body absorb the iron you consume from your food so you are able to produce red blood cells and provide oxygen throughout your body.
Fiber
One plantain supplies several grams of fiber to your diet. Fiber is an important nutrient because it helps decrease your chances of suffering from heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, such as colon cancer. Fiber also helps prevent constipation by keeping your intestinal tract working the way it should.
Calcium
Your bones, teeth, nails and muscles rely on an adequate intake of calcium to maintain their health and their strength. Alvarez says that plantains supply a good amount of calcium. Calcium contributes to strong bones, which helps prevent breaks and fractures as well as diseases, such as osteoporosis, as you age. Calcium also aids in keeping your teeth healthy so you are less likely to experience cavities, periodontal disease and teeth that fall out easily. Including plantains in your diet can help you consume more calcium. People need to get off the bandwagon that you can only get calcium from dairy. You also get the extras like hormones, blood and pus.
Beta Carotene
Plantains are also a source of beta-carotene, which the studies says you need to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for eye health as well as normal growth. A diet lacking in vitamin A can result in difficulty seeing in the dark, dry eyes, eye infection and unhealthy skin. Adding cooked plantains to your diet is one way to increase your intake of this important vitamin.
Vitamin A
Plantains have more vitamin A than bananas. 100 g fresh ripe plantains contain 1127 IU or 37.5% of daily required levels of this vitamin. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin A is plays vital role in visual cycle, maintaining healthy mucus membranes and enhancing skin complexion.
B Complex Vitamins
As in bananas, plantains too are rich sources of B-complex vitamins, particularly high in vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine). Pyridoxine is an important B-complex vitamin that has beneficial role in the treatment of neuritis, anemia, and to decrease homocystine (one of the causative factor for coronary artery disease (CHD) and stroke episodes) levels in the body. In addition, the fruit contain moderate levels of folates, niacin, riboflavin and thiamin.
Potassium
Fresh plantains have more potassium than bananas. 100 g fruit provides 499 mg of potassium (358 mg per 100 g for bananas). Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure, countering negative effects of sodium.
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Vitamin C
Plantains are also a source of vitamin C. Studies say that one plantain supplies you with 20mg of vitamin C in each 3.5 oz. serving. This translates to between 40mg and 60mg of vitamin C, depending on the size of your plantain. Consuming enough vitamin C helps your body fight off infections that can lead to sickness and also promotes healthy gums, teeth and skin. Getting plenty of vitamin C also helps your body absorb the iron you consume from your food so you are able to produce red blood cells and provide oxygen throughout your body.
Fiber
One plantain supplies several grams of fiber to your diet. Fiber is an important nutrient because it helps decrease your chances of suffering from heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, such as colon cancer. Fiber also helps prevent constipation by keeping your intestinal tract working the way it should.
Calcium
Your bones, teeth, nails and muscles rely on an adequate intake of calcium to maintain their health and their strength. Alvarez says that plantains supply a good amount of calcium. Calcium contributes to strong bones, which helps prevent breaks and fractures as well as diseases, such as osteoporosis, as you age. Calcium also aids in keeping your teeth healthy so you are less likely to experience cavities, periodontal disease and teeth that fall out easily. Including plantains in your diet can help you consume more calcium. People need to get off the bandwagon that you can only get calcium from dairy. You also get the extras like hormones, blood and pus.
Beta Carotene
Plantains are also a source of beta-carotene, which the studies says you need to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for eye health as well as normal growth. A diet lacking in vitamin A can result in difficulty seeing in the dark, dry eyes, eye infection and unhealthy skin. Adding cooked plantains to your diet is one way to increase your intake of this important vitamin.
Vitamin A
Plantains have more vitamin A than bananas. 100 g fresh ripe plantains contain 1127 IU or 37.5% of daily required levels of this vitamin. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin A is plays vital role in visual cycle, maintaining healthy mucus membranes and enhancing skin complexion.
B Complex Vitamins
As in bananas, plantains too are rich sources of B-complex vitamins, particularly high in vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine). Pyridoxine is an important B-complex vitamin that has beneficial role in the treatment of neuritis, anemia, and to decrease homocystine (one of the causative factor for coronary artery disease (CHD) and stroke episodes) levels in the body. In addition, the fruit contain moderate levels of folates, niacin, riboflavin and thiamin.
Potassium
Fresh plantains have more potassium than bananas. 100 g fruit provides 499 mg of potassium (358 mg per 100 g for bananas). Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure, countering negative effects of sodium.
Get & Stay Healthy! BlackVeggieVegan®™
