Banana

　　Banana is a fruit that has economic significance in Taiwan as well as serving as the main exporting fresh agricultural product. Although Taiwan’s banana cultivation is about 15,000 hectares, banana production and prices often fluctuate dramatically due to the impact of climate, diseases and replacement by Taiwan’s other fruits. When banana prices drop and sales stall, bananas are frequently discarded.

Banana embodies the health elements for business value. Banana is rich in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Resistant Starch (RS) extracted from green banana is not easily digested by the stomach and the small intestine. Banana peels contains several nutrition such as carbohydrate, vitamin B6, B12, antioxidants, minerals and magnesium which improve cell regeneration, soothes, mosquitoes bite, rashes, hair growth and whiten the teeth. Banana buds contains antibacterial activity that has been demonstrated.

Green Banana- Resistant Starch

　　Resistant starch (RS), also known as anti-enzymatic starch or indigestible starch, cannot be decomposed by enzymes in the small intestine. Although resistant starch's chemical structure is different from fiber, its properties are similar to soluble fibers. Green bananas are high in resistant starch level which acts like fiber during digestion.  

The efficacy of resistant starch:

• Directly inhibits the inner wall of large intestine's cancer cells proliferation, and reduces the risk of colon cancer.
• Increases the volume of stool, dilutes the toxic substances in the colon, and accelerates the excretion of carcinogens.
• Serves as a good prebiotic that stimulates the growth of intestinal probiotics.
• Has a low glycemic index, which reduces postprandial insulin concentration, and effectively controls diabetes.
• Reduces the formation of gallstones and inhibits fat accumulation.
• Increases mineral absorption, such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper.    

6 Benefits of Resistant Starch (2017.10.05 Canadian Chinese Radio Report)

1. Reduces fat accumulation

2. Maintains intestinal health

3 Induces gastrointestinal motility

4 Stabilizes blood sugar

5 Increases satiety

6 Reduces starvation

Banana peel

　　Banana peel accounts for about 30% of the weight of the fruit. If banana peel cannot be utilized in time after processing, it may easily result in environment pollution. However, banana peel is full of essential ingredients including lutein and carotenoids, tryptophan (serotonin precursor), catechins and a large number of trace elements. Banana peel not only can effectively remove free radicals, have properties of anti-oxidation, anti-aging and anti-cancer, but also can make retinal cells regenerate and have anti-depressive effects. Banana peel is an essential processing by-product with great potential for commercial development and utilization.

Banana flower

　　After heading bananas, farmers will cut the banana flower and directly discard it in the field as agricultural waste. However, Chinese traditional medicine indicates that banana flower has properties of sweet and cool, can clear heat, relieve heat in the liver, and stop bleeding. Banana flower's treatment for hypertension and stroke prevention is also seen in folklore. In addition, banana flower is an edible par in Southeast Asian countries. Past studies have shown that the components of banana flower include saponins, phospholipids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and more. Literature also shows that it has anti-inflammatory and liver-protective functions and can effectively inhibit human prostate cell proliferation to prevent prostate enlargement. It has considerable potential to become a dietary supplement.