What's so good about bananas, how do they ripen, and why should you "go bananas"...
Bananas are one of my favorite fruits because bananas are sweet and yum yummy. If you have a fruit-full banana tree in your backyard, I'm sure you've had too many bananas that became ripe and then became rotten at the same time. There are ways to speed and delay the ripening process. Also, bananas are so nutritious, they should be part of your daily fruit servings.
make a banana smoothie...http://www.smoothie-recipe.com
Gas... and ripening
Most fruits give off an ethylene gas in the process of ripening. Because bananas release a higher concentration of ethylene gas, they ripen quickly. If you've bought green bananas and want to accelerate the ripening, place them into a paper or plastic bag and at room temperature. Humidity and warm temperature helps induce ripening. The paper bag holds the ethylene in stagnant air around the fruits, yet allows oxygen to go into the bag for respiration in the fruits... If you have other fruits that you would like to ripen, place them in the bag (where there is increased exposure to ethylene gas) too.
If you have too many green bananas, you can allow the bananas to ripen to the stage you like them and then put them in the refrigerator. This slows the ripening process down. WARNING: the peels will turn brown and my interfere with further ripening.
Bananas and Healing
Bananas contain potassium and magnesium which alleviate blood pressure, cholesterol, and risk for stroke. Bananas keep blood sugar levels up and helps alleviate morning sickness. Bananas contain fiber which helps alleviate constipation. Bananas alleviate heartburn, mosquito bites (by rubbing inside peel on bite), and hangovers. Trying to quit smoking? potassium and magnesium found in bananas help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Remember...eating 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day provides a variety of health benefits. Fruits and vegetable are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber and other nutrients. Along with physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight, eating 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day promotes good health and reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. One banana may be counted as one serving. Refer to the food pyramid for more information on eating healthy.
