Jackfruit health benefits

Ripe jackfruits benefits

Useful in treating disorders of vata dosha imbalance like neuralagia (pain in the nerves anywhere in the body), paralysis, constipation, bloating etc., 

Indicated in:

Raktapitta - bleeding disorders such as nasal bleding, heavy periods, etc., 

Kshata - injury, bleeding 

Kshaya - depletion of body tissues, weight loss, tuberculosis 

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Helps with:

Muscles: improves muscle strength 

Strength: promotes strength 

Weight: improves weight 

Sex: is aphrodisiac, increases quality of semen (as per bhojana kutumba)  

fatigue: trests fatigue 

immunity: improves immunity 

https://www.easyayurveda.com/2017/05/24/jackfruit-uses/ 

***

Medicinal properties of Jackfruit

According to texts of ayurveda the medicinal properties of jackfruit varies in various stages of its development. The raw fruit increases vata and kapha where as ripened fruit alleviates vata and pitta. The fruit is heavy to digest and sticky in nature. It enhances the moistness of tissues. It acts as body coolant.

The latex of this tree has anti-inflammatory properties. Hence it is recommended in inflamed abscesses and wounds. Poultice of jackfruit latex helps to reduce pain and swelling in abscesses and wounds.

The flesh of smaller fruits is very heavy to digest. It may cause indigestion. Ingestion of raw jackfruit may cause constipation. Hence jackfruit has to be eaten before consuming food. Jackfruit is a strict no for patients who suffer from digestive disorders and ascitis.

The bark of jackfruit tree helps to reduce intestinal motility and hence useful in diarrhea and dysentery. The decoction of bark is used for this purpose.

Fully ripened fruit is very helpful in increasing quality and quantity of semen. It helps to increase sperm count and sperm motility. Weak and skinny people are largely benefited by ripened fruit as it increases body bulk and body energy level.

The decoction of leaves and roots are used in diseases of skin. The leaves also help to reduce effects of poison.

The jackfruit is widely used in Chinese folk medicine. They consider it as having cooling and nutritious properties. The flesh and seeds are used to reduce influence of alcohol. Roasted seeds are regarded as aphrodisiac and given to patients who suffer from low libido, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. The ash of bark and leaves are mixed with coconut oil and applied on wounds.

Precaution: Jackfruit should not be consumed by pregnant women and persons suffering from ascities, and digestive disorders.

https://www.boloji.com/articles/11084/ayurveda-medicinal-properties-of-jackfruit

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In Kerala and Karnataka, there are more than 200 receipes with jackfruits (my note - shows its improtance and benefits). It's looked down as a poor man's fruit. It does not enjoy high social status. 

In Tamil Nadu, it is generally eaten only when it is ripe. 

In north India, it is only used as a vegetable. The ripe fruit is usually not eaten. 

Jackfruit used to be a staple food in states such as Kerala during the rainy season when people, especially the poor communities, ran out of rice and vegetables. It can even replace rice and wheat, the common starch staple, and it’s far more nutritious than mangoes, oranges and other tropical fruits. But is not looked down a poor man's food in the regions where it is produced. 

About Rs. 2,000 crores worth of jackfruit is wasted per year in India on conservative estimates. Atleast, Rs. 450 crores worth of fruit is wasted in Meghalaya alone. 

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/interviews/food/-the-jackfruit-will-definitely-become-the-most-sought-after-fruit-in-the-coming-years-in-india--50450

***

Most households in the countryside have atleast one jackfruit in their backyard. 

https://www.onmanorama.com/food/features/2020/04/22/jackfruit-season-on-countryside-celebrates.html

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Scientists are now thinking Cancer has a solid link to fructose.

Amanda

October 19, 2015 at 5:17 am

Scientists are now thinking Cancer has a solid link to fructose. It’s the one thing our body doesn’t really need. It gets metabolized in our liver and coats it in fat.

When fructose is fed to cancer cells, it causes them to divide and multiply rapidly. Fructose is in nearly every damn food you can pull off the shelf, and it’s usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup.

Next time your in a store, look at a label. Look under carbs to see if it has sugar in it. If it does, it’s high fructose corn syrup, and nearly everything food out there has it.

That is the culprit, and the only way you’ll avoid it is by sticking to a diet in red meat, chicken, fish, veggies, nuts and seeds, with fruit sparingly. Which is basically what our ancestors did.

There is a reason why Japan is so low on the list in cancer yet have long lives; their traditional diets are basically absent of fructose.

http://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2014/06/which-countries-have-the-highest-and-lowest-cancer-rates/

***

Banana Allergy

Has Anyone Experienced Sudden Banana Intolerance?

Commented on November 05, 2014 
Created August 09, 2011 at 1:24 AM

Is there such a thing as developing sudden intolerance to bananas?

My wife loves bananas, but has been unable to eat them for a few months without severe gut cramping and a sprint to bathroom with a toddler chasing after her. The other latex fruits like kiwis and avocados don't have any negative effects. Also the symptoms of fructose malabsorption don't fit the case either. Is this some kind of intolerance that can build up over time after cutting out major problems like gluten?

at 02:11 AM

Alchemille

(432)

on August 09, 2011 

I have had banana intolerance for a while. I used to eat 1 banana everyday (I now know that we you eat too much of a food you can become allergic) until I ate an banana that wasn't fully ripe. Then I got some nasty stomach cramps and felt unwell to the point I thought I was gonna faint. I understood it was the under ripe banana. A couple days later I had a piece of ripe banana and the cramping started again. I didn't eat bananas for the next 6 months or so (did some gut healing in between (food allergies involved here but not to bananas)) and I was able to reintroduce bananas again in my diet. Hope this helps a little.

Seiji

(1091)

on May 03, 2012
at 09:47 PM

I've had the exact same experience. Intolerance due to over-eating certain foods, especially fruits, is a well-documented phenomenon.

foreveryoung

(14932)

on May 03, 2012
at 04:58 PM

Yeah, I stumbled upon a sight called 30bananasaday.com and suddenly found myself ill from the mere thought of one ;)

Ben__3

(10)

on May 08, 2013
at 01:29 PM

I recently went to the doctors with complaints about my stomach cramping, I told them I get acid reflux they presumed this to be the cause of the problem. I used the medicine they gave me and cotinued eating what I was already eating. The cramps persisted and they were quite severe lasting up to 5 hours at a time, next they gave me an antispasmatic for my stomach, this didn't solve the problem just created more giving me constapation, so they ended up perscribing me a laxative to get me back into the usual routiene.

I started thinking whether I am allergic to anything, I though it was dairy first, so I reduced my yogert and cheese intake...no effect. Then I though it might be protien shakes well I havn't had them since so I cannot entirely rule them out. After 2 weeks of having no problems I had a McDonalds and the issue resurfaced. I had a burnt double cheesbuger and a mango smoothy. A few days later I had a banana (slightly greeny) and the issues has again re-emerged to a small degree, my stomach feels achey, the acid reflux appeared and im having those sick burps. I have got my suspicions that it is Unripe fruit but namely Bananas and Mangos which seem to be tied together from what I've seen in these forums regarding latex fruit.

takata

(10)

on March 28, 2013
at 08:22 PM

I have an intolerance to bananas, grapes/raisins, kiwi, pineapple, raw spinach... those are the ones i know of... i did the research and its an amine intolerance... ur body lacks the ability to break down the proteins in that particular food... i hae found there is an enzyme availabe to take before eating the foos but im just leaving it alone (My note: This comment seems to be from a Japanese. Perhaps, Japanese don't have the enzymes to digest amines just like they don't have enzymes to digest lactose. This must be true for other brown skin and dark skinned people in other countries including India, especially south Indians. North Indians who are descendants of Aryans may be fine.)

bridget_kelly_osheehan

(10)

on March 25, 2013
at 09:25 PM

Hi.

Don't know if this will help any one, but last year I also started having this. I thought it was just weird every other time i ate a tiny bit of banana it would set off my tummy. At one time it was so bad i wanted to call the emergency services out at 2am.

After today's bout, which now i have confirmed, my manager made a lovely cake and she used banana as the filling, i have it ago, within 1 hour it had started. took 4-5 hours to wear off and that point i couldn't tell if i was hungry either.

Any thing with peppermint oil or peppermint will normally ease within 30 mins to an hour. I ended up buying Rennies today, or even senokot which also works.

According to a doctor, it can be the digestive system which will not digest for some reason. Also found out that it's better to burp, do not be sick as it'll make you worse. in the uk classes us "common ibs" or even better constipation this also the same, as i know once i been, I feel tons better but it's just that waiting time till which is awful.

Drink water if you can, i tried to eat my food today and it was in waves!

I'm not aware that i'm allergic to any thing else or intolerance, but funny thing before i used to eat bananas up to about 2 years ago and have a milkshake too.

it's not stomach cramps, it's muscle spasms which occur.

hope this helps xalso, don't eat over 9pm, (Otherwise not sleep and very pain full) I rated mine today, 8/10, and if you sleep 20/10 painful!! 

Kristin_6

(10)

on January 30, 2012
at 05:36 AM

Every day I would walk to work and eat a banana. After an hour of arriving, I would get severe stomach pains that grew worse and worse each day. I finally figured out it was raw bananas that were causing these pains after I was sent home from work.

When I ate "Fried Bananas" (which are actually plantains) and cooked bananas, I wouldn't get the same reaction. I also have to order smoothies without bananas (which is a real hassle). Every six months or so I can get away with half of a banana, but I don't try and push it.

Like your wife, I have no other Latex related allergies. Though I do not enjoy avocados, I love kiwis and consume them regularly. If there is any way to get ride of this "intolerance" or "allergy", I would love it, as bananas USED to be my favorite fruit!

Jerry_4

(0)

on August 27, 2013
at 01:54 AM

I've eaten bananas most of my life and loved them. 10 years ago at age 58 while vacationing in Puerto Rico I found myself getting very nauseous every morning shortly after eating a banana. The Puerto Rican bananas were shorter than I was used to back in Minnesota, but tasted about the same. I quit eating them in Puerto Rico and felt fine after that. When we got back home to Minnesota I started eating bananas again, but still got quite sick. I cannot eat bananas at all now. About once a year I would try just a bite of a banana and the result was the same. I can eat banana bread with no ill effects. Must be the heat in the baking that kills off whatever makes me sick. We went to the Mall of America this morning with our grandsons. We were in a Starbucks where my wife and I ordered a couple of Lattes and a banana/chocolate smoothie for the grandsons to split. They really didn’t like the smoothie so my wife and I each took a few sips. 20 minutes later I was violently ill. I’m not sure how this all started after 58 years, but it seems to be here to stay. No more bananas for me in this lifetime.

Sally_12

(0)

on May 31, 2013
at 06:31 AM

I too developed gut pain from bananas as a teenager 

I'm now 33. 

Around 21 could no longer eat eggs and developed an allergy to latex. About a year later I could no longer eat avacados. I still cannot eat any of these foods. I tried a banana when I was pregnant 3 years ago did ok but tried another a week later and got the gut pain. I ordered some tacos for dinner this evening and they had guacamole on them so I am now in horrible pain writing this trying to figure out what I can do to relieve the pain.

Jeff_Jackson

(0)

on May 13, 2013
at 06:46 PM

I always ate bananas. always. with no trouble. ever. i ate them raw. in protein shakes, on cereal. etc. Then, all of a sudden, last week, I ate one before bed. I woke up in the morning with the most intense stomach ache, cramps, pain, whatever you want to call it. every 10 minutes for two hours, i would run to the toilet with the most intense pain, and i would sweat, get pale, feel nauseous and then I would think I was about to make an explosion...and only a little would come out. next day, had a banana again in the morning and same thing happened for an hour. but i still thought it was something else. i was fine over the weekend. and then boom, it happened this morning. I will never have a banana again. sorry for the TMI but this is so weird. I guess I should do see my dr. btw. for three days before i ate that banana at night.. i was on a very strict diet, had only a protein bar, a salad and a piece of chicken for dinner. maybe it had something to do with my 3 day crash diet. who knows.

Melissa_Jones

(0)

on May 09, 2013
at 03:31 AM

Ok let me say, that I ate bananas almost every day as a child. I'd have them in cereal, bananas on toast with warmed peanut butter (you'd have to have tried it) I would eat a few bananans a week. Then one day, I was 16 (I am 33 now and Pregnant) and had to pull over and throw up. Fast forward to 21 years old. I had a banana and 2 cups of Orange Juice. At that time, I also had Weight Loss Surgery. So about an hour later, I had violent cramping, diahreeah, thrown up several times. This episode lasted about half hour. I was in AZ and thought it was something else I had eaten...Fast Forward a few weeks later. Same thing happened with half of a banana. I thought it was mental. I figured out it was bananas. At 27, I thought I was over it, my friend made banana pudding with the vanilla wafers. I just HADDDDDDDDDDDD to have some. I had a slice, about the size of a quarter. I had stomach cramping for 2 days!!!!

Now I am 33, and I am craving bananas because I am pregnant (15 weeks). I broke down and bought 2 yesterday, kind of black and as I googled this, I am eating half of a banana. I burped a few times. nothing big. I will see. Hopefully because it is a little black and I am eating it slow, I hope this makes a difference.

I am NOT allergic to any other fruit that I know of. Sometimes pineapples make my mouth a little raw but I eat them with no problem. I don't hardly eat mango. I do not have a problem with Kiwi. I have anaphalytic shock with brazil nuts but with bananas, there is NO ITCHING, SWELLING OR SKIN REACTIONS. Just DIgestive. My Brother says that when you get older your body cannot digest things sometimes and you develop a reaction that only gets worse.

My sister cannot tolerate tomatoes, coffee, or Dairy once she turned 40. My mother who is 69 has a new allergy to Soy yet Soy products are in everything. Her blood test came back positive for Soy though.

I have no idea why this happens and I am curious as well. I am happy that I am not alone though! It's been about 30 minutes now and no adverse reaction to the banana I just had. Maybe this baby is helping me digest it. I don't know but I will come back to report if anything has changed. 

doreolola

(0)

on February 11, 2013
at 11:43 PM

I suddenly developed intolerance to eggs and advocadoes after my pregnancy, I did try the organic thinking it may be something chickens were fed or pesticides, and that did not make a difference. For pain it's a heating pad on my stomache and one on my back, ginger and/or peppermint, fennel, dill tea, and lay absolutely still until the pain goes away Then usually about 3 days of very easily digestable bland diet, as I found out that if I try to eat a normal diet right after an attack, any food (not bland or very easily digestable) can set it off again.

nukeme1

(0)

on January 08, 2013
at 04:57 AM

wow, never thought I would find so many people with the same problem as me. I used to have sweats, paleness, extreme cramping, gas, bloat, even vomiting sometimes, chills. finally discovered the cause was bananas... only raw ones. dried, cooked etc, NO PROBLEM. This is definitely an intolerance and not an allergy (no breathing/ itching issues) but I have always wondered what exactly gets lost when a banana is dried or cooked that I'm intolerant to, I would love to know to avoid other foods that might have them as well, although, so far, only bananas are problematic and I eat pretty much anything and everything and have been for almost 33 years.... at least I know I'm not alone, just wish I knew what part exactly I'm intolerant to.

madmemere

(0)

on November 30, 2012
at 04:37 AM

After eating bananas, occasionally, for the first 50 years of my life, I suddenly developed a severe intolerance- in about 1/2 an hour, it started with numbness in my extremities, advancing to my core, I became extremely weak and dizzy and could barely crawl to bed; 12 hours later, I was "fine"! My doctor blamed it on a flu-bug. Ok, sounds reasonable. About two weeks later, I just happened to eat another banana, without even thinking about it. The same reaction, only faster - about 20 minutes and it was 24 hours before I even began to "feel normal"- -doc had no explanation except "possible allergic reaction"!! Duh - -no kidding, really? To this day, I do not eat raw bananas; I can eat them in "cooked form" like banana bread, or muffins, fried banana with something else - -no reaction! So, all you banana lovers, just eat them "cooked", in or with something else.

sith

(78)

on November 07, 2012
at 09:36 AM

Bananas give me unbearable heart burn.I don't bother asking why I just don't eat them.

Gary_B

(0)

on July 11, 2012
at 05:48 PM

I've encountered the same problem. I have no allergies (I've been tested) but found that after eating one to two bananas daily for a period of time, I started cramping/feeling nauseous to the point where I've stopped eating bananas (even in smoothies).

I've read that, if you consume too many bananas, it is possible for your body to react to to something in the banana as your immune system begins to recognize it as an foreign invader.

Lynn_9

(0)

on May 06, 2012
at 03:17 AM

About a year ago I started becoming very ill after eating bananas. I suffered severe chest pains that radiated up into my face and had trouble breathing. I actually thought I might be having a heart attack but quickly took an antacid and drank some milk which calmed my symptoms. For dinner tonight I had a veggie wrap that contained avocado and I experienced the exact same symptoms. That is why I am now on this site. This can be scary stuff. I haven't had bananas since I figured out it was causing these symptoms and now no more avocado! Thanks to all for sharing this info.

bittykitty

(1600)

on May 03, 2012
at 09:10 PM

My body has zero tolerance of bananas now.About 30 mins after I eat one,I'm irritable and light headed.Not the fructose,because other fruit doesn't have the same effect.

Nathan_9

(0)

on November 29, 2012
at 09:45 PM

I have been doubled over in pain for the past 24 hours since i had eaten ONE Banana yesterday at lunch. Stomach feels like it is being cut open from the inside and the pain comes and goes. Going to try some "beano" after work. i've heard that this can help alot with this situation. But once this stops i'll tell ya i will not be eating Bananas again. . . :-( Any other remedies anyone can think of?

Justine_3

(0)

on March 02, 2013
at 11:04 PM

I am 29 and in the last couple years I developed an allergy to bananas, avocado, and eggs just like another commenter mentioned. It really sucks because all three were a major part of my diet. I wish someone knew what caused this. Is there any sort of explanation? (My note: Banana allergy and eggs allergy seem to go together)

Hope_1

(10)

on May 03, 2012
at 04:40 PM

Almost 31 years ago when I was pregnant I developed an intolerance to eggs, bananas and avocados. Thinking I would be fine after delivery with hormone shifts or whatever, but no. To this day I can't eat bananas, although I tolerate them in baked goods. I'm now vegan so eggs aren't a problem. Avocados, small amounts smashed are kinda okay but cubed aren't. I am guessing something with the process of digesting is to taxing on the system. Smoothies are a problem for sure, at home I just freeze mangos and do the best I can with smoothies. Seems everyone has some food issues, hubby can't do tomatoes or onions.

https://www.paleohacks.com/bananas/has-anyone-experienced-sudden-banana-intolerance-7374

Super Fruits: An Ayurvedic View on Fruits

Super Fruits: An Ayurvedic View on Fruits

According to ayurveda, when fruits are ripe and eaten in the proper season and climate, they are pure nectar. They immediately turn into rasa (nutritional fluid) — the first of the seven body tissues. Fresh ripe fruit requires practically no digestion and helps to increase ojas, the finest by-product of digestion that enhances immunity, happiness, and strength.

Fruits can also be enjoyed in ayurvedic cuisine as chutneys and preserves. Cooked fruits combine well with a wide range of spices such as cinnamon, fennel, dry-roasted ground cumin, ginger and coriander. Sauté your choice of spices in a little ghee, add chopped sweet ripe fruit and some salt and cook until the fruit is tender but not mushy for a quick chutney. Fruits can also be eaten stewed or broiled.

Sweet, ripe fruits provide valuable nutrients to the body. You will notice more energy and happiness from eating fresh organic fruits on a daily basis. In ayurveda, fruits are also valued for their ability to cleanse the body of toxins.

Fruit is best eaten in the morning or for a snack separate from other foods. As far as possible, shop for fruit at farmers' markets or local orchards — supermarket fruit may have been artificially ripened, and therefore have lost some of its nutritive value.

Some ayurvedic fruits

• Mango: Considered the "king" of ayurvedic fruits. Many varieties are available. When unripe, the mango increases Pitta and Vata, but when ripe and sweet, it balances Vata and Pitta and increases Kapha. Ripe mango is considered a tonic — it builds rasa (nutritional fluid). Ripe sweet mango may be eaten with grains or with milk.
• Pomegranate: Though sour to the taste, it is also astringent and helps to balance Pitta in particular. It is good for the digestion. Make into juice or eat the seeds. Pomegranate chutney is a digestive and appetite enhancer, and helps burn ama.
• Apple: Apples are good for balancing Kapha. Raw, sour apples increase Vata and Pitta. Cooked apples help to create ojas and help to ease constipation. Start each day with a stewed apple.
• Pear: It is good for energy and balancing the hormones. Try eating a fresh sweet juicy pear to uplift your emotions. The pear is light, sweet, and balancing for all three doshas. Pears can be stewed or baked, or sliced and sautéed in ghee and sweet spices.
• Watermelon: Watermelon balances Pitta and is an excellent way to cool off in the hot summer, either diced or made into juice.
• Grapes: Sweet grapes and raisins are regarded highly in ayurveda. Some ayurvedic texts praise them as the best among fruits. Sweet raisins sautéed in ghee are added to desserts and puddings.
• Amalaki or Indian Gooseberry: Regarded as a rasayana, the Amla balances all three doshas. It is considered a "divine" food that promotes health and longevity. Amla preserved in sugar and spices is energy giving.
• Bananas: The banana is considered a "sour" ayurvedic taste, and should therefore not be combined with milk.

http://www.mapi.com/ayurvedic-knowledge/ayurvedic-diet/ayurvedic-super-fruits.html#gsc.tab=0

Bananas and health

Red Bananas 
By: Mayura Akilan Published: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 16:11 [IST]

Caution: Do not let it over-ripe as it might develop dangerous bacteria.

Night blindness 
- best remedy for victims of eyesight
- those suffering from night blindness could continue to eat for 40 days to heal blindness.

Toothache
- In the event of dental-related diseases continue to eat for 21 days

Skin diseases
- Rash, eczema, skin rash, skin ailments
- eat for 7 days

Hysteria waning
- Hysteria in the event of reduced strength in the body.
- Following 48 days of receiving the strength of the nerves,

Fertility 

- Helps in conditions with lack of libido, thawing male character.

- The child's birth For a married couple, child-free couples, daily man eating a banana. Be sure to eat for 40 days, 

Prevents Infection 

- has the power of germicide

- Once a week eating has impact on the body to control the infection.

(Source: http://tamil.boldsky.com/health/herbs/2012/health-benefits-red-banana-aid0174.html)

***

1.) Red bananas are a great source of Beta-carotene

Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin-A, in the body, and is essential for healthy skin, good eye-sight and strong immune system. 

2.) Red bananas are good for your kidney

Potassium, in the body, helps prevent the formation of kidney stones. 

It also helps in the retention of calcium, thus improving your bone health.

3.) A good source of vitamin C (Immunity & Fat Metabolism)

A 99g red banana contains 15% of your daily recommended value of vitamin C. This vitamin is crucial in strengthening the immunity system as well as for fat metabolism.

4.) Good source of dietary fiber

A red banana can provide close to 5% of your daily requirement of dietary fiber.

In countries like India, it’s quite common to eat bananas after a lunch or dinner, to help aid with the proper excretion of the food. Bananas are recommended for people who have issues with their bowel movement or constipation.

5.) Red bananas are good for your blood

It’s been found that red bananas can help improve your hemoglobin count and improve the quality of your blood thanks to the various vitamins and anti-oxidants present in this fruit.

People suffering from anemia will benefit by eating a couple of red bananas on daily basis.

Source: http://www.outofstress.com/red-bananas-facts/

Poovan Banana (shorter yellow variety from the south) 

baby poovan banana (shorter yellow variety from the south) 
-  My Mother-in-law told me that this variety of banana is usually not given to babies as they believe that it causes worms in the stomach
- if given,it must be de-seeded and given

miraclemagic, Jun 30, 2013

- Poovan is a banana which also causes a lot of gas. give it after your baby is 18months or so.

Dinny, Jun 30, 2013

- i had given banana from 6 months alternate day or so because ceralac caused constipation in my son... rather than medicines it helped... variety called elaichi (i dont remember now the south name) is very good for kids not other variety (it has very less seeds)... 

ammani, Jun 30, 2013

- Banana causes constipation in some kids. You can give banana and check.
- Hill banana is the safest one to start with. 
- Poovan banana variety inflicted with banana stem virus (when pesticides are not sprayed properly) are the ones that have seeds. Not sure how to de-seed them though. We have only trashed such bananas.

ramyaramani, Moderator, Jul 3, 2013

(Source: http://indusladies.com/community/threads/poovan-banana-for-my-6-5-month-old-baby.223000/)

***

Best Bananas for Babies

August 14, 2016, Sunday   Post View: 696 Views   No comments

Banana is the best first food for babies. Smooth texture makes it easy for babies to swallow. Being rich in fiber, it is easy to digest and avoids constipation. Rich nutritional benefits of banana make it a healthier choice!

Always give ripe bananas to babies. Unripe ones may cause constipation, sore throat, indigestion. Do not let it over-ripe as that might be spoiled at times. Do taste for the quality before feeding it to babies.

Among the varieties of banana available in TamilNadu, here are some best choices for babies. Best age to start the type of banana is marked in the respective photos.

Viruppaachi aka Mazhai vaazhai is the best first choice for babies. The one in the above photo is the hybrid variety. Country-side variety would be much smaller in size. Though smaller ones are preferable, hybrid can also be opted if the former one is not available in your locality.

I clicked these pics just 2 days before my US travel. So, couldn’t wait for banana to ripen. Ripened virupaachi will have black skin, but the fruit inside tastes delicious. Peel off the skin, make a cross section cut and remove the seeds, just mash it well, mix some BM/FM and feed it fresh to babies.

Yetham/Nentharam/Nendhran pazham/Ripe Plantains is the “King of Bananas”. Its nutrition and taste is doubled when cooked(steamed/boiled). Do not cook clean yellow fruit. Wait for 2 -3 days to ripen to get black skin here and there.

Wash and steam/boil the banana with skin. Then, remove the skin and cut it vertically. Discard the seeds, just mash it well, mix some BM/FM and feed it fresh to babies. Click here to see how to make  steamed banana puree with step-wise pictures. After 2+ years, you shall steam and feed as such without milk. Steaming is recommended till 8-10 years of age.

Sevvaazhai/Red bananas are rich in Beta-carotene, Potassium and Vitamin C. This nutritious banana is advised after 1 year of age for proper digestion.

Do not let it over-ripe as it might develop dangerous bacteria. Fewer brown/black spots indicate ripeness. If you could touch and feel lil soft(not too softer), then feed immediately. Neither cooking nor removal of seeds required for red banana. Just peel the skin, mash well and feed. Mix with milk if you want to thin out.

Naatu vaazhai/Pachanaadan pazham is more fibrous and loaded with nutrients. But, it is not easy to digest compared to other varieties of banana. You shall feed this after 2+ years of age. Avoid giving this banana in the night. 

This variety is mainly preferred during summer for it’s cooling effect. Try to get greenish one and let it ripe in your rice sack, just to stay away from induced ripening techniques.

Source: http://myhealthykiddo.com/tag/red-banana-for-babies/

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Why not bananas?

OCTOBER 17, 2013 BY VAIDYA MISHRA11 COMMENTS

“I would like to know why banana is considered clogging. In my research I have only read good things about banana. I hope someone can help me with this question. I am a patient of Dr. Teilelbaum. Thanks, Faridah M.”

Dear Faridah: the ancient ayurvedic texts say that bananas are clogging because they carry “madhu rasa” and “guru guna” – in other words, a sweet taste and heavy aftereffect. But what does this mean? Another way to understand this would be through other fruits, such as the orange or the apple. These fruits also have “madhu rasa” or sweet taste, but in addition they are also characterized by an “amla rasa” or sour taste. In Ayurveda, the sour taste is known to support digestion and metabolism more because it carries more “agni” or digestive properties in it. The sweet taste is said to be made up of the water and earth elements, while the sour taste is known to be made up of water and fire elements. So the sweet taste is considered to be heavy, but the sour taste has some inherent fire to it that supports metabolism.
That’s why fruits that carry a little sour taste are not clogging. Clogging? It means they don’t make toxins or “ama” – the first kind of toxins result from semi-digested food, heavy food that the body cannot break down properly and gets to sit in your body without being processed. This is one reason why people tend to eat a banana for lunch, it helps them feel full because it is heavy and sits in the stomach giving a feeling of satiation, while all it is doing is not getting digested! Long term consumption of bananas will results in severe imbalances. The micro and macro channels will carry semi-digested residues not only of banana but of overall food, because the regular consumption of bananas will dampen metabolism overall and affect the proper digestion and absorption of all food items. This is the “rasa” or taste based answer to your question.

Another way of understanding the answer to your question is based on the dynamics of pharmacology in Ayurveda – that is: the ultimate effect and impact a food item has on your body, chemically and even beyond that, vibrationally. There is a property called “prabhava” in Ayurveda that concerns the post-digestive effect of any food item, long after it has been completely physically digested and assimilated. The ayurvedic texts explain that the “prabhava” of banana is also channel clogging. You may have food items that are clogging on an initial physical level, but not ultimately, this is an exceptional make-up and very healthy for all body types. For example, the pomegranate fruit is initially clogging due to its sweet and cold initial properties, but as it goes deeper into the stages of metabolism and digestion, it has actually a channel opening “prabhava” which makes it a unique medicinal fruit.

Your findings show that bananas are good to consume because modern nutrition evaluates all food materials based solely on nutritional facts. They determine the physical nutritional benefits in terms of fat, sugar, minerals, and other properties, and they are not able determine whether that material is good for one and not another. The Ayurvedic way of understanding encompasses nutritional facts but also goes beyond, because every individual’s condition is different, digestive and metabolic fire levels are different, and particularly, an individual may have a chronic condition where toxic residues or “ama” may be particularly unwelcome. Ama or toxic build-up from semi-digested food is considered to be the seed of all diseases, and the last thing one would want to do is to consume anything that can even remotely clog the macro- or micro- circulatory channels. Channel health and care is primary, because channels are detox pathways but they also nurture and nourish us by delivering life-supporting materials. So under no circumstances does one want to delay detox, or delay the delivery of the nutritional substances to are targeted to reach specific organs and organ systems.

Ironically, small bananas somehow have less channel-blocking after- effect. They also tend to be more aromatic. Aromatic principles are always channel opening. So if you must have bananas, favor the really small ones, but by all means, avoid the large ones if you want to maintain healthy and clear channel pathways.

Source: https://vaidyamishra.com/blog/q-a/bananas/

Shelley says:

October 17, 2013 at 7:45 PM

This was very enlightening! And speaking of bananas, I ate one today and noticed that it was difficult to digest. I attributed the difficulty to my weak digestion in general, which I’ve had for the last ten years. I never connected the dots until now, and to think that I use bananas regularly in my smoothies. Not anymore! Thank you for such a timely article 

Crit Taylor says:

October 17, 2013 at 7:21 PM

Eileen Poole, a student of Dr. Henry Bieler author of Foods Are Your Best Medicine, always told me if I were to eat a banana, to not combine it with any other food and to eat the ones that were not overly ripe or too sweet. In light of what is written in this article I can see that limiting the sweetness would help reduce the blocking effect.

1. Marcus says:

   July 24, 2014 at 3:38 PM
   Thank you for posting this Vaidya!
   I’d had a tough time searching ‘why bananas are best on their own’ after a freind, studying ayruvedic health, had made the suggestion.
   This search led me to learn how melons are best on an emty stomach because they need little (if any) diggestion.
   Should dates also be left out of recipes for the same reason as bananas??
2. Vaidya Mishra says:

   August 7, 2014 at 11:57 AM
   Marcus:
   Dear Marcus: melons are actually probably best on an empty stomach because they need a lot of digestive fire to be processed as well. Melons are high in sugar and water, and both ingredients can put out your digestive agni, specially if you are eating them with anything else. Not to mention that there may be mutually contradictory properties between the melon and the other food items you may be consuming. In addition, melons can be clogging, so they slow down circulation and distribution of nutrients too. That’s why it is best to have them when agni is high, and alone.
   As for dates, again, they are very high in sugar, and sugar is Soma and needs a great digestive fire to be broken down without creating ama or toxic residue. If you don’t have high digestive fire or the ability to metabolize sugar then it is best to steer clear of dates. However, dates are not channel-clogging like large bananas, or melon, but their sugar-content should be the thing to consider when you want to consume them. So you can actually eat them with other food items, unlike large bananas and melons.

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Word of caution while feeding your child with banana

Avoid feeding raw banana: Raw banana should not be given to your baby, as it is very hard to digest. Make sure that the bananas are yellow in colour without major black spots on them. Also make sure that the banana is firm and easily chewable. (HK Bakhru, Foods That Heal)

Do Bananas aggravate cold and cough?

Bananas can aggravate cough and cold and hence, it is better to avoid feeding banana to your baby, if he or she has cold and cough. The practice of feeding banana must also be avoided during winters and when there is an unexpected temperature drop all of a sudden. (Joshi, Nutrition & Dietetics).

What is the best time to feed bananas to babies?


Possibly, the best time to feed bananas to your baby can be during summer. As bananas can aid in temperature control during summers, it is the ideal time to feed bananas during that time. During other seasons, you can feed bananas, only during pleasant and sunny days and during day time. (Joshi, Nutrition & Dietetics)

Source: https://parentinghealthybabies.com/health-benefits-of-banana-for-babies/


Banana Varieties

Source: http://agropedia.iitk.ac.in/content/banana-varieties-its-characteristics

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Sunday, 25 October 2015

6 Top Health & Nutritional Benefits Of Red Banana For Babies, Fertility & Pregnancy

We call red banana sevazhai pazham in Tamil and it is so very highly regarded here in India for it's nutrient value. Red banana is cultivated all over the world now. Though we have only the regular yellow banana trees here in our farm, my parents always grow red banana trees. My father regularly sends red bananas insisting that we have it regularly. One single red banana is enough to fill our stomach as it is usually quite large. Since I have heard the benefits of the red banana from young, whenever there is red banana at home, I make it a point to have it. Even when guests say no to red banana when offered, usually it will be followed by an advice like "It is sevazhlai pazham! eat, it is so good for you". Red bananas have dark red skin, is larger and tastes sweeter than regular yellow banana. Red Banana Nutrition: Like all bananas red banana is also rich in potassium but it also rich in vitamin C, vitamin A and beta-carotene. Red banana also contains Vitamin B and Vitamin D and is also very rich in fiber. Red Banana Calories: A medium sized red banana has only 100 calories which makes it a perfect weight loss food. If you love bananas, I would suggest trying red banana too, chances are you might switch over to red banana. You can use red banana in any recipe that calls for regular banana. Traditionally people with low immunity (which is usually the case after a bout of illness) are advised to have red bananas for a period of 40 to 48 days daily. Eating red bananas regularly is said to increase the immunity and at the same time prevent tiredness. It is best to encourage children to eat red banana, in fact it is a perfect weening food. Since it is very sweet, they will readily eat it. It is also said to prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Once the red bananas ripen, they turn mushy very fast so consume it as soon as they ripen.....   

 

1. Red Banana For Babies:

Like I mentioned before, red banana is a perfect weening food for babies. Just mash it up without any sweeteners and feed them, many children eat red bananas readily. If your child is suffering from constipation, giving them red bananas regularly will give good relief. Red bananas are also greatly recommended for children who are malnourished because of it's high nutritional content.

2. Red Banana For Pregnancy:

Pregnant women can safely consume red banana. It prevents constipation and also it is good for heart burn that many pregnant women experience during the last trimester. I suffered from heart burn during the last trimester of my pregnancy, If I ate any spicy foods, it caused heart burn so I relied on soothing foods like banana. The trick is to pick really ripe red banana. Eating ripe red banana will reduce the acidity in the stomach which will greatly help prevent the burning sensation...

3. Red Banana For Weight Loss:

Since red bananas are rich in fiber, it keeps one fuller for longer. Eating 1 medium red banana has only around 100 calories but most will feel fuller with just 1 red banana. My only problem with red banana is finishing up the banana. Especially if I eat it as an in-between snack, I will rarely be able to finish it as I feel fuller by the time I finish half of it. I will also not feel hunger for a long time after eating it, all the qualities needed for a good weight loss food :). And I have to add, ripe red bananas are very very soothing on the stomach too.  

4. Red Banana For Fertility: 

Another important use of red banana is it boosts fertility both in men and women. Eating red banana for fertility is a very common advise given in our place. Red banana also is said to increase the sperm count in men. I tried searching for any study supporting this belief but I couldn't find any. The B vitamins and bromelain enzyme in bananas are said to be the reason for increasing the sperm count. Since it also improves the overall health, having a red banana daily is a good idea...

5. Red Banana For Skin:

Bananas are great for skin both when applied externally or taken internally. Whenever a banana turns overripe, I usually mash it up and apply as a face pack. To make a simple, quick and effective face mask, first powder required amount of oats in a dry mixer to get a smooth powder. Mix the mashed up red banana paste and few drops of honey to the ground oatmeal to form a thick paste. Apply it as a face pack and wash it off once dry. This is a very hydrating face mask that will keep the skin supple and soft during winter months.

6. Red Banana For Hair:


Last time my red bananas turned overripe, I mashed up a banana with oatmeal and applied on my face and because the red banana was huge still half of it was remaining. I thought why not apply on the hair as a hair pack? I mashed it up with little bit of unrefined sesame oil and few drops of lemon juice and applied on my hair and scalp. I have dry hair so this hair pack suited me really well, I have done the treatment more than 4 times from then on and it is a safe hair pack that can be used by everyone. If you have very oily scalp, you can skip the sesame oil in the pack...

http://www.wildturmeric.net/2015/10/red-banana-health-benefits-nutrition-calories.html