Blue banana or blue java banana are a type of banana having an amazing taste that reminiscent of vanilla ice cream.
Although, they are like any other fruit, but if you look closely, they are full of nutrition and interesting flavor. They are also known for their bright blue hue of their peel along with their creamy white flesh.
Unlike the normally grown Cavendish bananas that you can normally find as one of your grocery items, blue Java bananas are widely grown in places like Southeast Asia. They are mostly enjoyed as a delicious and flavored natural dessert.
There is an interesting part while discussing blue banana as they are often compared to ice cream. The post will throw some light if blue banana are good for health or just meant for additional flavor.
Table of Contents
What are Blue Bananas?
A common form of blue banana is blue java banana which is known for its unique appearance and flavor.
Blue banana is made up of two hybrid species of banana known as Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. Both these species of banana are native to Southeast Asia.
They look quite interesting and are equally great to taste as well. For example, before they are fully ripe, they have an unusual blue colored outer covering or peel. It’s because of their natural wax coating. But the above texture fades slowly as they mature.
If you compare them with other and normal varieties of banana, they look quite different. You will find them having a longer and stouter appearance with small black seeds and white flesh.
What are Sudadera Blue Banana?
Just like other forms of bananas, sudadera blue banana is another one which aids in high nutritional value. They can also give you a value addition in your diet.
Why do Blue Banana Taste Like Ice Cream
Blue java bananas or blue banana are loaded with some naturally occurring compounds having a great flavor and taste different than normal fruit. The taste is often compared with that of vanilla ice cream or vanilla custard.
It’s mainly because of their soft and creamy flesh, they resemble with a dessert. Due to this property, they become an excellent substitute for tasty and popular ice cream.
Since they are loaded with some unique consistency and taste, blue java bananas are also used in smoothies. They can also be added to dessert.
Nutrition Facts of Blue Banana
Blue java banana is basically a type of banana cultivar, they are loaded with almost the same nutrient value as compared to other varieties of bananas.
Just like other types of bananas, they are a great and natural source of vitamins C and B6, manganese and fiber.
The nutritional content of blue java banana is almost same as given below:
- Calories: 105
- Protein: 1.5 grams
- Carbs: 27 grams
- Fat: 0.5 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Vitamin B6: 26%
- Manganese: 14%
- Vitamin C: 11%
- Copper: 10%
- Potassium: 9%
- Pantothenic acid: 8%
- Magnesium: 8%
- Riboflavin: 7%
- Folate: 6%
- Niacin: 5%
In addition to the above, blue java bananas also have some amounts of selenium, thiamine, phosphorus and iron.
Benefits of Blue Bananas
If you add blue bananas to your diet, it can give you a number of health benefits that you have never expected.
Promote weight loss
They just contain 105 calories per serving which means that they tend to be the excellent alternative for custard and ice cream.
If you consume blue banana, it can not only help you get rid of extra fat but can also increase your fiber intake as well.
Fiber has a great property which when travels through your GI (gastrointestinal tract), it gives you a feeling of fullness and even keep you satisfied between your meals.
Studies suggest that high intake of such fibrous foods like blue banana can actually recommended for your weight control.
Supports digestive health
Due to the high fiber content in blue bananas, they are not only advocated for the loss of excess weight, they also have a great effect on your digestive health as well.
Studies suggest that fiber can help you in a number of ways. For example, it can treat some digestive disorders like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcers and hemorrhoids.
If you intake a medium sized banana, it will give you around 3 grams of fiber which is amazing.
Rich in antioxidants
They are loaded with antioxidants that can keep protected you from unusual cell damage.
Some of the antioxidant compounds present in blue banana include dopamine, ferulic acid, quercetin and gallic acid.
Antioxidants are known to play a vital role in preventing diseases. In addition to this they are also recommended to protect your body from some chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancers.
What are the Downsides?
If you consume blue java bananas in moderation, they can give you desired results. In fact, they can become a value addition in your diet.
They are found high in carbohydrates as compared to some other types of fruits. Also, they have somewhat low glycemic index indicating how much specific foods can raise your blood sugar levels.
People having type 2 diabetes need to consult their doctor before consuming it. Even if they consume blue banana, they need to check their blood sugar levels right after consuming them.
Sometimes, blue java banana are found to be allergic to some people who are sensitive to latex. Research in this regard says that almost 30-40% people who have an allergy to latex are found sensitive to certain plants like bananas.
So, if you are allergic to latex in one or the other way, you need to be cautious while consuming blue bananas.
How to Enjoy Blue Java Bananas
There are lots of options to enjoy blue bananas. One of the ways to do it comfortably is by preparing “nice cream”. It can be made by freezing and blending them until they reach a smooth and nice consistency.
They can also be consumed as smoothies or as a topping for cereal, yogurt or oatmeal.
In the same way, you can also use blue bananas in your desired recipes and desserts like cookies, muffins, pancakes or banana bread.
In any case, you can always consume blue bananas in raw form that can give you a healthy snack you are looking for.
Conclusion
Blue bananas or blue java bananas are a kind of banana cultivar known for its sweet flavor and texture.
Just like other forms of bananas, they are found to be high in various nutrients like antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.
Due to their high fiber content, they also promote weight loss. But for most people, they can become a healthy, delicious and nutritious diet.
Also Read: Muskmelon Health Benefits: How the Fruit Is Different from Cantaloupe?
