health benefits of unripe plantain
Unripe plantain is highly nutritious; hence, has many health benefits. Here is an exclusive article that discusses the top health benefits of plantain even to pregnant people.
Many people love ripe plantain because of its sweet taste and because it entices the eyes when cooked, especially with beans. But, what about unripe plantain? Unripe plantain also tastes nice and has a lot of health benefits. Unfortunately, many people still don't know the medicinal benefits of this meal.
Africans and Nigerians, in particular, love unripe plantain because of its numerous health benefits. It forms the core food of most Nigerian homes.
Unripe plantain and beans will surely make you salivate when cooked together. However, aside from cooking it with beans, there are other uses of unripe plantain, especially for medicinal purposes.
It has been observed that unripe plantain contains antioxidant compounds that help prevent diseases and provide vital vitamins.
According to researchers from the Center of Development of Biotic Products (CEPROB), unripe plantain is a natural source of resistant starch that helps to reduce blood glucose levels, so it is considered an excellent ingredient for food fortification.
Here are several health benefits of unripe plantain:
Unripe plantain enriches the heart
The richness of unripe plantain in potassium makes it heart friendly by preventing heart attack and hypertension through controlling heart rate and blood pressure in our body and cell. This is one of the top unripe plantain benefits.
Also, unripe plantain has high fibre content, which is excellent for reducing cholesterols level. It also reduces the risk of developing any heart diseases.
An article, "Effect of Unripe Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on Blood Glucose, Body Weight and Feed Intake of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats", established that one of the health benefits of unripe plantain is its potential to lower blood sugar level.
Unripe plantain treats anaemia and neuritis
Vitamin B6 in unripe plantain can help cure neuritis (inflammation of the nerve) and anaemia: a medical condition where someone has low red blood cells in the blood, which causes weakness.
When incorporated into meal plans and consumed, unripe plantain has high health benefits such as curing anaemia and neuritis and serves as a preventive measure.
Unripe plantain aids the circulatory and digestive system
Unripe plantain is a source of vitamin A, B6 and C that help better vision and skin complexion. More health benefits of unripe plantain include its ability to help builds immunity against diseases and free radicals.
Unripe plantain strengthens bones
Unripe plantain is rich in calcium which is the essential mineral needed for stronger bones, muscles, nails and teeth.
A healthy meal with unripe plantain inclusive will help prevent osteoporosis, which involves weakening the bones and fractures.
Eating unripe plantain might also help reduce weight, according to a study published in the Open Biochemistry Journal. Obesity or too much weight can put much stress on the bones and joints, causing health problems.
This means for people who want to lose weight, unripe plantain, which contains fewer calories, might be a food of choice for preventing obesity or excessive weight gain.
Unripe plantain prevents Ulcer
Some people have asked questions like, "can ulcer patients eat unripe plantain?" The answer to that is most likely yes. Ulcer patients can eat unripe plantain.
One of the health benefits of unripe plantain is the role it plays in preventing diseases like ulcers. Various studies have shown that unripe plantain contains phytochemical properties such as leucocyanidin, which can prevent ulcers.
Scientists reason that the starch in plantain's unripe form helps to decrease acidity and reduce irritation. This should answer the question of whether ulcer patients can eat unripe plantain.
This means unripe plantain might help sickle cell patients dealing with leg ulcers (leg ulcer is one of the most common complications of sickle cell diseases).
Unripe plantain stimulates the cells on the stomach lining to produce thicker mucus, which guards against acid aside from its elimination of stomach bacteria pointed as the leading cause of ulcers.
In the Indian Journal of Pharmacology", the research stated that plantain powder is a potent herbal remedy for treating peptic ulcer disease.
Health benefits of unripe plantain to pregnant women
Unripe plantain can be beneficial to pregnant people too, boosting their immunity and aiding foetus development.
You may be wondering if unripe plantain good for pregnant women? Yes, unripe plantain is healthy and is considered safe for pregnant women. It is okay to enjoy unripe plantain meals while you are expecting your baby.
In fact, plantain is a rich source of dietary fibre which aids digestion and helps reduce the risk of constipation during pregnancy—this one of the health benefits of unripe plantain for pregnant women.
Also, unripe plantain contains a substantial amount of folic acid, proteins, minerals and other nutrients, which are good for your health and that of your baby.
Other unripe plantain benefits for pregnant people include:
- It boosts the immune system and prevents harmful infections during pregnancy.
- It promotes eye health and improves skin complexion during pregnancy.
- Unripe plantain is a rich source of starch, providing the needed energy during pregnancy.
- Unripe plantain acts as a diuretic as it enhances urinary functions.
- Unripe plantain helps to prevent bladder and kidney problems during pregnancy.
- It strengthens the bones and ensures the good development of the foetus.
- Unripe plantain promotes heart health during pregnancy.
- It is enriched with folate, niacin, thiamin and riboflavin, which all ensure a healthy pregnancy.