5 Green Banana Flour Health Benefits (#4 May Surprise You)
Are you looking for the best wheat flour alternative? Do you want a flour that provides similar results to wheat flour but with superior health benefits?
Green banana flour is an excellent substitute for wheat flour. Its exceptional dietary properties make it ideal for people following diets such as:
- Paleo
- Keto
- Lectin-free
- Low-carb
- Gluten-free
Green banana flour retains its original nutritional composition as it’s made by grinding dried unripe green bananas. In this unaltered state, the flour contains high levels of resistant starch and pectin, which are the components that give it superior health benefits.
If you want a rich tasting bar made with green banana flour, try The Human Food Bar.
Human Food Bar uses this flour as a key ingredient, making it unique compared to other dietary fiber bars on the market. It’s also compatible with the plant paradox diet.
As a plant-based product, organic green banana flour has the following exceptional health benefits you’re bound to enjoy.
Benefit #1: Promotes Digestive Health
You’ve probably heard of the tremendous benefits probiotics have in promoting gut health.
Prebiotics are in the same class as probiotics. They’re found in specialized plant fibers that aid in the growth of gut bacteria. The table below shows the difference between the two.
| Probiotic | Prebiotic |
| Live microorganisms that function in the same way as good bacteria | Plant-based food source for beneficial bacteria |
| The microorganisms produce substances that kill harmful bacteria | The by-product from bacteria feeding on the plant-based starch prevents the replication of harmful bacteria |
Green bananas are an excellent source of prebiotics because their main component is resistant starch.
The enzymes in the small intestine can’t digest resistant starch. The undigested starch passes unaltered and moves to the large intestine, where beneficial bacteria feed on it. As a result, a short-chain fatty acid, called butyrate, is produced.
Butyrate promotes superb gut health by nourishing the cells that line the colon, which helps them fight cancerous cells. The more butyrate the bacteria produces by eating the resistant starch, the better the colon cells can:
- Absorb important nutrients
- Remove toxins and harmful bacteria
- Enhance the health of intestinal immune cells
The short-chain fatty acid also raises the pH level of the colon, creating an unfavorable condition for disease-causing bacteria to flourish.
In case of diarrhea, the gluten-free resistant starch acts as a re-hydrating agent. It helps prevent severe loss of water in the large and small intestines and absorbs it back into the body.
Incorporate green banana flour in your own recipes or enjoy it in The Human Food Bar. You’ll love all the resistant starch benefits
Benefit #2: Maintains Normal Blood Sugar Levels
Green bananas are low in natural sugars, unlike wheat flour. Not only that, the resistant starch in banana flour prevents the rapid digestion of food, which stabilizes blood glucose levels.
The International Journal of Environmental Research studied the effects of native banana starch on glycemic responses in lean and obese subjects. They found that resistant starch supplementation:
- Improved the sugar levels of both groups after a meal and up to 48 hours later
- Reduced insulin sensitivity
- Maintained lower blood sugar levels
Glycemic response measures how effectively the food you eat sustains blood glucose levels. The resistant starch content in green banana flour scores high in glycemic response and is the perfect food for a person with type 2 diabetes.
Green banana flour also contains the following vitamins and essential minerals that help in controlling blood glucose levels.
| Vitamins and Minerals | Mg content in 100 grams | Benefits in Green Banana Flour |
| Minerals | 100 grams | |
| Vitamin B3 | 2.8 | Protects the beta cells of the pancreas, which produce insulin |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.2 | Improves cell utilization of glucose |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.4 | Improves glucose tolerance |
| Vitamin C | 7 | Enhances blood glucose control |
| Potassium | 1491 | Regulates blood glucose levels |
| Magnesium | 108 | Controls insulin function |
| Selenium | 3.9 | Prevents insulin resistance by activating insulin-producing cells |
At The Human Food Bar, we know the benefits of the tremendous micronutrients found in green banana flour. That’s why our Human Food Bar has notable amounts of this dietary fiber.
Benefit #3: Promotes Weight Loss
Ripe bananas contain three times more calories than green bananas. Flour made from green bananas also has fewer calories compared to buckwheat flour.
The resistant starch in green banana flour promotes satiety. It makes you feel full for longer and wards off cravings for other unhealthy foods. A study by The National Center for Biotechnology Information confirms that eating foods containing resistant starch resulted in:
- Reduced food intake
- Decreased appetite
- Significant weight loss
Resistant starch also aids in weight loss because it has both characteristics of insoluble dietary fiber and soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber resists normal digestion in the small intestine; this reduces the number of calories you absorb.
Once in the large intestine, the resistant starch behaves like a soluble fiber because the good bacteria feed on it, making use of the calories you’d have stored in your body.
Resistant starch is also considered a cholesterol-lowering food. The soluble fiber nature it acquires in the large intestine helps it to bind with bad cholesterol. This process prevents cholesterol from entering the bloodstream.
Watch this video for further explanation of how resistant starch can promote weight loss and enhance overall health.
Benefit #4: Enhances Mental Health
Green banana flour contains a protein called tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that regulates some bodily functions and helps in normalizing brain processes. Your body converts tryptophan into a compound known as 5-hydroxytryptophan.
5-hydroxytryptophan is further converted to a brain chemical called serotonin. Serotonin aids in sending signals between brain cells. The communication between brain cells helps to:
- Regulate mood and behavior
- Improve sleep cycle
- Increase feelings of happiness
Although the content of tryptophan is relatively low in green banana flour, you can increase blood levels overall by regularly adding it to your diet. Use this gluten-free flour in all of your recipes. It has a subtle nutty taste that won’t interfere with the flavor of your meal.
One cause of serotonin deficiency is insufficient intake of tryptophan. Prolonged lack of serotonin leads to:
- Psychological symptoms such as depression, irritability, low self-esteem, and anxiety disorders
- Cognitive symptoms such as poor memory and mental fatigue
The University of South Wales’ research on the influence of tryptophan and serotonin on mood and cognition found that eating foods high in tryptophan increases serotonin levels. They also recommend eating a diet high in these compounds as a part of treatment for those with depression.
Expert Tip: To enjoy the maximum benefits of tryptophan, eat foods rich in Vitamin D and Omega-3s. Tryptophan relies heavily on these nutrients to help in the creation, release, and normal functioning of serotonin.
Benefit #5: Promotes Better Heart Health
Potassium, found in high amounts in green banana flour, helps in the normal functioning of the heart.
The recommended daily potassium intake for women is 2600 mg and 3400 mg for men. Just 100 grams of green banana flour contains 1491 mg of potassium, making it a great source of potassium.
Having sufficient potassium in your diet reduces your risk of developing stroke and prevents metabolic syndrome and other heart diseases. Potassium helps your heart either directly or indirectly by:
- Regulating heartbeat: Insufficient potassium levels cause irregular heart rhythm, which alters blood circulation.
- Improving blood pressure: Potassium helps eliminate sodium, which in large amounts causes high blood pressure.
Resistant starch prevents the clogging of veins and arteries by lowering cholesterol levels. As a result, the heart can function better and won’t enlarge to compensate for malfunctioning blood vessels.
A health enthusiast can’t go wrong by adding a protein bar made with green banana flour to their diet. The Human Food Bar is the ideal choice as it contains this power flour as well as other incredibly healthy ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Some of The Green Banana Flour Benefits?
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Promotes good metabolic health
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces appetite
- Promotes overall feelings of well-being
Can Someone Who’s Gluten Intolerant Eat Foods with Banana Flour?
Yes, banana flour is 100% gluten-free and is fit for gluten-free eaters. You can still enjoy the benefits any flour has to offer; this flour doesn't have a strong taste that will interfere with your desired flavors.
Can I Eat Foods Made with Green Banana Flour On a Paleo Diet?
Yes, green banana flour is the perfect grain-free substitute for a person on a paleo-friendly diet. Green bananas have always grown in the wild and are considered a prehistoric food.
Is There a Protein Fiber Bar that Contains Green Banana Flour?
Yes, Human Food Bar is an exceptional protein fiber bar that contains a generous amount of green banana flour. It’s also lectin-free and plant-based and is compatible with Dr. Gundry’s diet.
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