When it comes to eating healthy, there are many options out there. But have you ever considered eating an unripe plantain? It may surprise you to learn that unripe plantain is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can benefit your health in a variety of ways.
This lesser-known superfood has been a staple of African diets for centuries, but its health benefits are just gaining wider recognition today. From being low in calories and rich in fiber to providing anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants, unripe plantain has so much to offer.
If you’re looking for ways to spice up your diet while still eating healthy, then you should give unripe plantain a try. In this article, we’ll discuss the significant health benefits of unripe plantain.
Benefits of Unripe Plantain
Unripe plantain is a great pantry staple that could give you some pretty amazing health benefits.
Unripe plantain looks very similar to a regular banana. The difference lies in their taste; unripe plantains are less sweet, more starchy, and more chalky. They can be boiled, fried, or mashed, just like potatoes. Unlike bananas, they retain their shape when cooked.
This unique flavor and texture make it an ideal accompaniment to stews and other dishes with stronger flavors, as well as being great on its own.
You might be wondering what makes unripe plantain so special that it should even be considered a superfood. The answer is simple it’s a powerhouse of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Take a look at the nutritional breakdown of unripe plantain:
- Vitamin A
- Potassium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Fiber
- Other Vitamins & Minerals: Unripe plantains also contain Vitamins B6 & C as well as phosphorus and zinc, all in relatively high concentrations compared to other fruits and vegetables.
That’s not the only reason to try out unripe plantains, though it also has real health benefits like reducing inflammation and digestive issues, improving heart health, providing essential minerals and vitamins, and more!
Boosts Immune System
One great thing about unripe plantain is that it can help boost your immune system. Unripe plantain contains vitamin C, which helps strengthen your body’s resistance against colds and other illnesses. It also contains a good amount of zinc and carotenoids, both of which are important for a healthy immune system.
So if you want to give your immune system a boost, why not try adding some unripe plantain to your diet? It’s an easy way to get some extra vitamins and minerals, all of which can help keep you healthy!
Reduces Inflammation
Unripe plantain is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects, making it a great choice for people suffering from arthritis, joint pain, and other inflammatory conditions. Eating unripe plantain can help reduce the inflammation in your body, so you can feel better and move more freely.
The key to the anti-inflammatory effects of unripe plantain lies in its nutrient content. It provides many different vitamins and minerals that are beneficial.
For example, it’s packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and magnesium, which all help reduce inflammation. Unripe plantain also contains antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the body by fighting off free radicals.
So if you’re looking for an anti-inflammatory food that packs a punch, unripe plantain should definitely be on your plate!
Aids in Digestion
You might not know that unripe plantain can be a great aid to digestion. Not only does it contain dietary fiber and starch, but these substances have been found to help reduce digestive problems like indigestion, abdominal pains, and constipation too.
But why exactly is unripe plantain so good for digestion? Unripe plantain is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps your body keep everything regular by regulating the digestive process, from breaking down food particles to the elimination of wastes. The more fiber in your diet, the easier it is for your body to digest foods.
Unripe plantain also contains considerable amounts of starch, another beneficial digestive agent. Starch helps break down foods quickly and efficiently in the stomach, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients without stressing out your digestive system.
These two properties also make unripe plantain a great choice for those with sensitive stomachs or who are looking for a more natural way of improving their digestion:
- Unripe plantains can help stimulate gastric juices production in the stomach and intestines
- They help bind food particles together, which helps create smoother bowel movements
- Unripe plantains are a great source of dietary fiber which helps increase stool bulk content and regulate digestion
Treats Constipation
Don’t we all suffer from constipation at some point in our lives? Well, you’ll be glad to know that unripe plantain is a great remedy for constipation. That’s right: with its high level of fiber and insoluble compound, unripe plantain helps to break down food easily in the digestive system and regulate bowel movement, ultimately relieving constipation. Plus, this fiber will also help you feel fuller for longer, so you eat less.
So if you’re looking for an effective way to get rid of your constipation woes while taking advantage of the other health benefits that unripe plantain has to offer, then give it a go!
Promotes Bone Health
Did you know eating unripe plantain can help your bones? That’s right; unripe plantain comes with some important minerals that can help protect and promote your bone health.
Unripe plantains are an excellent source of calcium; they contain around 5 milligrams per 100 grams. That’s up to 8 percent of the daily value (DV). Then there’s potassium; potassium is an electrolyte that plays a role in bone density. And guess what? Unripe plantains also contain high amounts of this nutrient. In fact, 100 grams of unripe plantain has more than 300 milligrams of it, which is 7 percent of the DV.
On top of that, unripe plantains are also high in vitamin C, which helps keep your bones strong by promoting collagen production, a type of protein in your body that keeps bones healthy and connected. Plus, it also contains about 6 milligrams per 100 grams, that’s up to 10 percent of the DV.
Finally, you have magnesium; this mineral plays an essential role in growing and maintaining healthy bones by activating vitamin D in your body so you can absorb calcium; as mentioned before, unripe plantains have 7 milligrams per 100 grams, around 2 percent of the DV!
In summary, unripe plantain is full of essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, and potassium that promote bone health and strength.
Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Unripe Plantain is high in dietary fiber, which helps to slow down the rate of digestion and absorption of glucose in the bloodstream, meaning it can help to maintain a steady level of glucose in the blood. For people with diabetes or glucose intolerance, this is great news!
What’s more, unripe plantain also contains resistant starch, which acts as prebiotics and helps to support colon health by feeding beneficial bacteria in your gut. This can also have a positive effect on your blood sugar levels.
So why should you eat unripe plantain instead of ripe? Well, when it comes to its glycemic index (GI), unripe plantain has a GI of 50 compared to 60 for ripe plantain. A lower GI number means the food releases energy more slowly into the bloodstream, which is helpful if you’re trying to manage blood sugar levels.
So if you’re looking for a food that will help you keep your blood sugar levels stable without compromising on flavor or nutrition, give unripe plantain a try!
Aids Weight Loss
Losing weight and staying healthy is hard work, but unripe plantain could be your secret weapon. Unripe plantain contains fewer calories than its fully ripe counterpart, which means you don’t have to worry about counting every calorie or depriving yourself of delicious food.
Besides its low-calorie count, unripe plantain is a great choice for weight loss because it has a lower glycemic index value than ripe plantain. This means that it’s less likely to cause your blood sugar levels to spike and then drop, avoiding the subsequent “crash” feeling that usually follows. Eating low-GI foods helps your body absorb the energy slowly so you don’t feel a sudden surge of hunger after eating it.
Unripe plantain is also rich in dietary fiber and protein, both of which help keep you feeling full for longer and promote healthy digestion. The dietary fiber found in unripe plantain helps with digestion as well as reducing risk factors associated with heart disease and diabetes. The high protein content helps build lean muscle mass and burn fat quicker, which can help you reach your weight loss goal faster. Plus, having lean muscle mass boosts your metabolism so you can continue to lose weight even when at rest.
Unripe plantain is an amazing food choice for those looking to lose weight; it’s low-calorie yet filling; it has a low-glycemic index value; it’s packed with dietary fiber and protein; plus, it’s delicious!
Boosts Libido
Did you know that unripe plantain can help to boost your libido? Believe it or not, this superfood is packed with energy-boosting vitamins and minerals that can help you get your mojo back!
Vitamin B6 and magnesium are two key nutrients found in unripe plantain that are known to have a positive effect on libido. Vitamin B6 helps to regulate hormones, including testosterone, which is key for sexual health and performance. Meanwhile, magnesium improves circulation, which helps to keep your sex drive strong.
Eating unripe plantain can also help to reduce stress levels and increase energy levels, both of which are important factors in maintaining a healthy sex life. Unripe plantain also contains loads of antioxidants which help the body to fight off infection and disease, keeping your libido healthy.
So if you’re looking for a way to give your bedroom life a boost, try grabbing some unripe plantains.
Good For Pregnant Women
Did you know that unripe plantains are great for pregnant women? It’s true! Unripe plantains are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for mom and baby.
Unripe plantains contain iron, which helps in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to your baby. Low iron levels can lead to premature delivery, while too much can be harmful to the baby’s development. Eating unripe plantain is a great way to get just the right amount of iron!
Unripe plantains are also an excellent source of fiber, which is important for pregnant women because it helps reduce constipation, bloating, and hemorrhoids commonly experienced during pregnancy. Fiber helps promote regular bowel movement and reduce your risk of developing digestive issues.
Unripe plantains have a high potassium content as well. Potassium helps with the proper development of the fetus’ cells, tissues, bones, and organs. In addition, it helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate. All these benefits make unripe plantain a great choice for pregnant women looking for a healthy snack!
Improves Vision
Unripe plantain is packed with carotenoids, which are a type of vitamin A (you’re probably familiar with retinol, which is another form of this vitamin). And what do carotenoids do? They help improve your vision and prevent damage to the retina.
Plus, the lutein and zeaxanthin in unripe plantain help reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, two common age-related eye conditions. So if you need 20/20 vision to get through that intense game of Fortnite or your job requires impeccable vision, then regular consumption of unripe plantain can help you maintain it.
Here’s a breakdown of why unripe plantain is so good for your eyesight:
- It’s rich in carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect the retina from damage
- It has high levels of Vitamin A, which helps improve focus and reduces the risk of night blindness
- It’s also rich in antioxidants like polyphenols that protect against oxidative stress caused by blue light from devices
- It has Vitamin C, which helps decrease inflammation in the eye
Potential Side Effects of Unripe Plantain
Although unripe plantain is great for your health, it does come with the potential for side effects. As with any food, there may be allergies or reactions to consider. Unripe plantain can also be difficult to digest due to its higher content of dietary fiber and some other compounds in the fruit.
Before adding unripe plantain as a staple in your diet, it is important to talk to your doctor or nutritionist about any potential risks. Also, if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction after eating unripe plantain, contact your healthcare provider right away. Common signs of an allergic reaction include:
- Rash and hives
- Shortness of breath
- Itching and swelling
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
It is also important to note that people with certain medical conditions may need to avoid unripe plantain or consume it in limited amounts. These include people who suffer from kidney stones, pregnancy complications, or high blood pressure. Be sure to consult with a doctor before consuming unripe plantain if you have these conditions.
Conclusion
Unripe plantain is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, as well as dietary fiber. It can be cooked in various ways and is an excellent source of energy. Unripe plantain also has a number of health benefits, including helping to improve digestion, reducing cholesterol levels, and aiding in weight loss.
But that’s not all. Unripe plantain is also good for managing blood sugar levels, for the maintenance of skeletal health, protecting the eyes, and even improving the immune system. Unripe plantain can be consumed in various forms, such as fried, boiled, steamed, roasted, or mashed. So, why not try it out for yourself and experience all the health benefits it has to offer?