Let's Talk about Food

Food nourishes our bodies and sustains life. It gives us the energy to strive daily. So today we'll be talking about plantain and its health benefits. Yes, I said plantain! Surprised?

Is there anyone who doesn't love plantain? Because as for me, I am pretty sure that God called out my name when he was creating plantain. My love for ripe plantain can't be quantified, and I am certain most of you can relate to this. Though, some people love their plantain ripe while others love them unripe.

Plantain is a versatile superfood rich in fiber, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins, as well as other essential nutrients which include iron, calcium, magnesium,  potassium, vitamins A, C, B-6, and more. Interestingly, some of the nutritional values of the nutrients in plantain vary as it contains more of these essential nutrients when unripe than when ripe.

Plantain can be prepared in different ways. You can bake, fry, boil, grill, and even blend into a smoothie. Below are some health benefits to expect:

Health Benefits of Plantain

1.  Plantain Gives You Energy

Plantain is a rich energy-giving food. It's a great source of carbohydrates especially when ripe. Interestingly, the carbohydrates it contains are considered “complex carbohydrate” which include starch, fiber, and sugar.

The digestion and absorption of such carbohydrates are slow which keeps you full thereby decreasing appetite and making one lose weight. Hence, the regular consumption of plantain provides your body with enough energy to go about your daily life.

2. Treats Optic neuritis and Anemia

Plantain contains iron and vitamin B6 which play a crucial role in the sufficient production of red blood cells in the body. Anemia and optic neuritis (the inflammation of the optic nerve that may cause a complete or partial loss of vision) manifest when iron and Vitamin B6 are deficient in the body. It is advisable for those suffering from anemia and optic neuritis to eat plantain more often as it will serve as a cure and preventive measure.

3. Aids Digestion

Plantain is abundant in fiber that helps to prevent and treat conditions that affect the bowel. Plantain is your go-to food when it comes to preventing and treating constipation, bloating, and other related health conditions associated with improper digestion.

4. Treats Diabetes

Unripe plantain is low in sugar when compared with ripe ones, which makes it a great food for diabetic patients because it cannot trigger or aggravate their already high blood sugar levels. Psyllium contained in plantain can help to control blood sugar, hence regular consumption of unripe plantain can aid in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

5. Enhances Sexual Health

The nutrients in plantain sexual health performance in men and women. Regular consumption of plantain helps to increase libido and enhance male fertility.

6 Aids Stronger Bones

Unripe plantain is a rich source of calcium, making it a good food for our bones. It also strengthens our muscles, teeth, and nails. Regular consumption of unripe plantain helps prevent diseases like osteoporosis which weakens the bones and also causes fractures.

7. Promotes Healthy Heart

Unripe plantain contains some amount of serotonin which improves the arteries, promotes blood flow, and reduces the risk of homocysteine, a condition that leads to coronary artery diseases and stroke.

Potassium and fiber contained in plantain also play a tremendous role in preventing heart attack and hypertension, and also decreasing cholesterol levels, therefore decreasing the risk of heart disorders.

8. Helps to Ease Menstrual Cramps

Potassium and Vitamin B6 found in plantain greatly help in relieving menstrual pain. Regular consumption of plantain aids in the prevention of premenstrual symptoms and helps to lower the risk of miscarriages in women.

Now you have every reason to Incorporate plantain into your diet, which will in turn enhance your overall health and well-being. Always remember to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, leafy green vegetables, root vegetables, whole grains, tubers, beans, seeds, and nuts.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article. Tell us in the comment section if you love plantain, and how you would like your plantains to be cooked.