This Super Banana will Out-Banana Your Banana

Who doesn't love bananas?! Rushing out the door without breakfast? Bananas to the rescue. You already know they're good for you but there is one type of banana that stands above the bunch!

I'll tell you about that in a minute but first, let's talk about why bananas are so good for you to start with:

Top 3 Reasons Your Body Loves Bananas

1. Healthy blood pressure bananas super banana

A medium-size banana gives you more than 400 mg potassium. Potassium is an electrolyte that helps keep your blood pressure normal. Potassium's role in regulating blood pressure also promotes healthy blood circulation.

2. Loaded with nutrients

Bananas are a good source of B vitamins, vitamin B6 in particular. They also provide a good amount of manganese, vitamin C, potassium, biotin, and copper.

3. Quick energy booster

Dense in nutrition, bananas are a quick fix to fatigue and hunger. They are also low in calories which makes it a healthy snack.

Heck, even banana peels are good for you! These are just some of the great things bananas have to offer. But hold right there!

In this blog, I'm going to talk about a different type of banana called ”saging na saba”. Also known as saba banana, it's more nutritious and healthier than the regular banana.

What is a Saba Banana?

Saba bananas look like conventional bananas but they're wider. The peels have ridges and when it's ripe, the skin turns yellow. With a gentle press, they give in just like a ripe avocado. The fruit is native to the Philippines and other tropical regions. They are similar to plantains but not exactly the same.

It's a cooking banana because it tastes better cooked than raw.

What makes Saba a Super Banana? 5 Things

1. More nutritious bananas super banana

Saba plants have deeper roots when compared to conventional banana plants. Their long trunks and wider fruit size account for its nutrient density. Saba varieties have long deep running roots which help to absorb more nutrients.  

2. Good for your heart

Just like other bananas, they're low in fat. But they provide a particular type of fat called sterols.

They are sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol which are cholesterol look-alikes. Because of this, they block the absorption of cholesterol from food.

This helps keep blood cholesterol levels healthy. 

3. High in fiber

Unlike the conventional bananas, saba bananas have complex carbohydrates. They are high in fiber which helps regulate blood sugar levels

4. Improves gut flora

Saba bananas are high in fructooligosaccharides (FOS). These carbs do not get digested by the digestive enzymes. When they reach the lower intestine, the good bacteria feed on them.

Thus saba bananas are an excellent prebiotic food to boost gut health

5. Boosts immunity bananas super banana

 Saba bananas provide more vitamin C than regular bananas.

Vitamin C protects the lining of the cells and acts as an antioxidant. It strengthens your body's natural fighter cells and boosts immunity.

So Where Can You Get these Super Bananas? And How do you Cook them?

You can find them in most Asian and Indian grocery markets. Check with your local natural foods store to see if they stock them too. 

Boil them and cut into bite-size cubes for a healthy snack. You can also slice and saute them in grass-fed butter to add as a side for your main course. Sliced, dehydrated banana chips are also a great way to enjoy this fruit. 

Next time be sure to add the saba banana to your grocery list. 

Yours in health and happiness,

Danette

P.S. Please share this with your banana loving friends and I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Have you tried a “saba” banana?