Bananas are among the most commonly found fruits in the world. It is a versatile ingredient which can be used to make milkshakes, cupcakes, pancakes, and whatnot. Moreover, the best part about bananas is that they contain high nutritional value, ensuring that you get all the essential nutrients as well as their sweet taste. Whether you are a gym rat wanting to gain muscles or a student looking for a quick snack, bananas are the best option. Did you know that there are over 1,000 varieties of bananas around the world? Here are some other fascinating facts about bananas.
Interesting Facts About Bananas
1. The scientific name of bananas is musasapientum which literally translates into fruit of the wise men.
2. Bananas are actually berries since they contain seeds inside the flesh and not outside.
3. Since their stems are made of fibres and not wood, banana plants are considered herbs and not trees.
4. Bananas are examples of sterile plants, meaning you cannot grow them from seeds. Instead, they are grown by cutting a piece from another plant.
5. The popular dessert banana split was invented in 1904 by a 23-year-old American pharmacist David Evans Strickler in Pennsylvania.
6. Bananas are radioactive since they contain small amounts of isotope potassium-40.
7. It is believed that bananas were cultivated as a source of fibre and not food.
8. Raw green bananas have high starch content whereas in ripened yellow bananas, this starch transforms into sugars.
9. Bananas float in water as they are less dense than many other fruits.
10. Bananas are used to make ketchup or banana sauce in the Philippines.
11. Bananas are the only fruit known to mankind that helps to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin in our bodies.
12. Bananas are a good source of fibre, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and other oxidants.
13. You can slow down the ripening of bananas by storing them in the refrigerator.
14. A banana plant stops producing new leaves or flowering once it is matured.
15. It is believed that humans share 50% of their DNA with bananas.
Hope you had fun reading these facts about bananas. If you want to read more such interesting facts, then you can also visit our blog 15 Facts About Millets to Keep Your Healthy Spirit High.