Plantain is a sterile triploid that is cultivated in warm climates for its tasty yellow-skinned fruit. Commonly it is known as French plantain or edible banana. Various cultivars are available in commerce range the height from 7 to 25 feet tall. It is the fast-growing, herbaceous perennial plant that produces huge oblong to paddle-shaped leaves that measures 8 feet long having leaf sheaths overlapping for forming the trunk-like false stem. In summer, yellow flowers with purple-red bracts appear on mature plants which are sometimes followed by edible yellow bananas. Younger plants will not bear flowers and fruit till the 2^nd or 3^rd year.

Many cultivated bananas and almost all cultivated plantains belong to triploid cultivars of Musa X paradisiaca. It is relied on that the farmers of Southeast Asia domesticated M. acuminata. The cultivated plants then spread north-west into areas where M. balbisiana was inherent hybrids between two species that occurred and then further developed into various cultivars. About hundreds of cultivars of M. × paradisiaca are known which possess characteristics that are variable highly. Typically they are 2 to 9 meters (7 to 30 ft.) high when mature. The above-ground part of the plant is pseudostem or false stem which consists of leaves and their fused bases. Each pseudostem bears a single flowering stem. The pseudostem dies after fruiting but offshoots develop from the base of the plant.

Flowers

Each pseudostem of Plantain plant flowers only once. The flowers grow at an end of its shoot in a large bunch which consists of multiple hands having individual fruits. The first few hands become fruits. In Vietnam, the young male flower is used for making salads. In Laos, the flower is consumed raw or added to the soup. In Kerala, Thoran is prepared with an end of the bunch.

Leaves

Leaves are used as plates in various dishes in South Indian Thali, Hallaca, and Venezuela. Traditionally meals are served in Southern India on a plantain leaf. Plantain leaves add aroma to a dish. In Kerala, Ada is prepared in plantain leaves. In Kerala, it is used to make Karimeen Pollichathu. Leaves are large over 2 meters (7 feet) long. It is also used for simulate appetite. Leaves are used for wrapping different kinds of food in Nicaragua. It is also used to wrap seasoned meat to keep the flavor in while cooking. The dried leaves are used to wrap corn dough before it is boiled for making Fanti kenkey which is a Ghanian dish consumed with onions, ground pepper, fish, and tomatoes.

Shoot

Plantain will fruit only once. After the fruit is harvested, the plantain plant could be cut and the layers peeled to obtain a cylinder-shaped soft shoot. It could be chopped, steamed, fried with masala powder which makes an excellent dish which is known as Posole in Assamese.

History

Plantains are referenced as far back as 2,500 years ago in history. The fruit was mentioned in Ancient Greek records of Alexander the Great’s travel to India. As he liked them, he ordered them to be cultivated in coastal domains in Africa. Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist named the banana and plantain family Musa in the 18^th century after biblical Moses. The plantain was named paradisical as he said it was the tree of paradise. Bananas, as well as plantains, are found in tropical climates all over the world which is originally inherent to Southeast Asian islands. The largest producers of plantains are African countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana. Bananas and plantains provide above 255 of food energy requirements for about 70 million people.

Health Benefits of Plantains

Plantains are excellent sources of potassium as well as dietary fiber and also contain vitamins A, B2, C, and B6. Plantains are dried and also ground into flour. Plantain is an important food source that contains 10.62% water, 3.55%albuminoids, 1.15% fat, 81.67% carbohydrates, 1.15% fiber, 0.26% phosphates, 1.60% sugar, and other salts. Sucrose is the primary sugar. Plantains are also a great source of vitamin C. Plantains contain antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. It soothes insect bites, wounds but prevents infections and also accelerates healing. It has astringent property that provides a cleansing effect on the body. It dries excess secretions in the respiratory tract and digestive system and is also helpful in treating diarrhea and colds.

1. Source of potassium

One cup of cooked, mashed plantains provides 913 milligrams of potassium which is 20% of the daily recommended amount of potassium. The deficiency of potassium affects various functions of organs as well as processes. Potassium helps to regulate blood pressure by combating the effects of sodium. The addition of plantains to the diet is a natural aid for high blood pressure. The levels of potassium affect skeletal as well as smooth muscle contraction that allows regular muscular and digestive function. It assists in regular heart rhythm and a diet rich in potassium lowers the chances of osteoporosis, stroke, and renal diseases.

2. Digestive health

Fiber plays a vital role in digestive health. One cup of plantains offers a fifth of the daily recommended fiber which is approximately 25 to 30 grams. A diet rich in fiber such as plantains adds bulk to the intake of food which supports digestion. The consumption of plantains provides relief from constipation, hemorrhoids, and digestive problems such as diverticulitis. Fiber also makes feel full that assist in controlling weight. Increasing intake of dietary fiber promotes weight loss in obese patients. Soluble fiber helps to reduce cholesterol as well as blood pressure that prevents heart disease. It also helps to stabilize blood sugar.

3. Elimination of free radicals

Free radicals form when the body breaks down food or when exposed to other harmful elements such as radiation or tobacco smoke which supports diseases, aging, and cancer. Being an antioxidant, Vitamin C counteracts free radical damage. Plantains provide more than 35 percent of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin C. The body is not able to produce it independently or can’t store vitamins so getting a daily recommended amount of Vitamin C is important. Being one of the powerful vitamins, Vitamin C assists in the growing and repairing of tissues in the body. It is involved in the formation of protein which is used for making tendons, skin, blood vessels, and ligaments, and also maintains bones, cartilage, and teeth.

4. Enhance immunity

Plantains offer 36 percent of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is another powerful antioxidant that provides numerous health benefits. Vitamin C, it controls immune response that prevents the chances of illness and a number of essential immune system responses rely on Vitamin A for its effective performance. Vitamin A assists in cell growth and skin health and is an essential element for the healing of wounds. The antioxidant properties found in Vitamin A neutralize free radicals and assist in preventing inflammation which is caused by overreacting cells. It supports healthy vision and eye health.

5. Source of manganese

Magnesium affects more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps to regulate blood pressure, prevent osteoporosis, and also makes the body healthy. Magnesium affects the absorption of calcium which could reverse or avert osteoporosis. It lowers the chances of developing type 2 diabetes by controlling the levels of blood glucose, regulating insulin and carbohydrate metabolism. It is helpful for depression, insomnia, and migraine headaches.

6. Treat ulcers

The study shows that dried plantain powder has an ulcer healing effect on aspirin-induced gastric ulcers. Individuals who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy for chronic pain and rheumatoid arthritis are highly prone to the development of ulcers in the membrane layer of the stomach. The conducted study shows that dried plantains help to stimulate the growth of the inner lining of the stomach.

7. Respiratory health

Plantain lowers mucus secretion in the airways which makes it effective in treating catarrh, colds, sinusitis, lung & bronchial allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever. The herb possesses antiseptic properties which makes it an aid for tonsillitis, sore throat, and coughs.

8. Lowers cholesterol

200 grams of green plantain provides 5 grams of protein that making it a great choice for lowering the levels of cholesterol. It is effective for preventing health problems such as obesity, diseases related to type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Traditional uses

• The root juice is used for treating fevers, swellings, and as a tonic for hair.
• An infusion made from the pulp of the trunk helps to soothe dysentery.
• An infusion made from sugarcane roots and banana leaf is used to hasten childbirth in Surinam.
• The unripe fruit is used as an aid for diarrhea.
• Place the fruit on the forehead to provide relief from the heat of headache.
• In NW Guyana, fruit is used for the treatment of epilepsy.
• The plant is used for treating epilepsy, diarrhea, cough, headache, dysentery, bronchitis, wounds, furuncles, and swelling.
• The syrup made from dried leaves is used as syrup for treating coughs and chest conditions such as bronchitis.
• Apply the juice of the root externally for treating swellings and carbuncles.
• It helps to prevent infections and speeds up healing.
• Due to the high content of dietary fiber, it promotes healthy bowel movements and lowers the chances of constipation.
• It helps to enhance the complexion of the skin.
• With a high content of potassium, it helps to control blood pressure and heart rate.
• It acts as a diuretic and prevents bladder and kidney problems.
• Plantains help to ease discomfort related to the menstrual period.
• It is used for treating anemia, neuritis and lowers homocysteine levels which are related to strokes and coronary artery disease.

Precautions                                                                                                 

• It might cause allergies such as mild swelling of tongue, lips, throat, or palate, itching, skin rash, hives, problem in breathing anaphylactic shock or stomach complaints.
• It might cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

How to Eat

• Inflorescences are used as an ingredient in curries.
• It is cooked and fried.
• Yellow plantains are peeled and consumed raw.
• It is steamed, baked, boiled, grilled, or microwaved.
• It is made into plantain soup.
• In Kerala, ripe plantain is used as a breakfast dish.
• Boiled plantain is consumed with cabbage stew or kontomire stew in Ghana of West Africa.
• Mix the boiled plantain with pepper, groundnut paste, palm oil, and onion and consume it with avocado.
• Ripe plantains are consumed fried, boiled, and then stuffed with sweetened black beans in Guatemala.
• The dried plantain powder is combined with a little fennel seed powder and boiled in water or milk for making baby food to feed babies that are one year old.
• Boiled plantains are blended with spices, water, and sugar to make Chapo in Peru.
• Ripe plantains are boiled with coconut milk, sago, spices, and sugar to make pudding in Kerala.
• Thinly slice an unripe fruit after removing skin and deeply fry in hot oil to make chips.
• Fry unripe fruit in coconut oil and season it with spices or salt.
• It is used as a substitute for potatoes in delicious savory recipes.
• In the South Indian Kerala state, plantain chips are used as a popular snack seasoned with salt and pepper.
• In the Dominican Republic, mashed plantains are served with fried onions.
• It could be used in recipes of soups and stews.
• The slices of cooked plantains are added to bean salads.
• The plantain chips could be served with black bean dip or tomato salsa.
• Drizzle plantains with honey and top them with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a healthy dessert.
• Put the slices of plantains in a bowl, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lightly season with salt and then toss.
• Dry the plantains and ground it into flour.

References

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