Banana tea benefits

What is Banana tea?

Banana tea is a hot beverage from boiling a banana in hot water. Remove the banana and drink the remaining liquid. Use the banana with or without the peel, depending on your preferences. 

When made with peel, it is known as banana peel tea. Due to its high fibre content, banana peel tea takes longer to make. It is ideal for use if you have limited time and choose to omit the peel. Some prefer banana tea with cinnamon or honey to improve its flavour. 

You might have to try it at night to aid sleep if you have insomnia. Banana tea is highly nutritious and serves as a relaxing tea. 

Chemical properties of Banana tea

The banana peel contains 300 times more dopamine than the pulp. That makes it powerful for muscle relaxing and speeding up recovery. It influences mood and gives a healthy sleeping cycle. The levels of dopamine decrease in over-ripened bananas.

Banana tea contains carbohydrates. That gives energy to physical activities and brain functions but be aware of overeating carbohydrates since it disturbs your balanced diet and increases your blood sugar level. Protein is also a chemical compound found in banana tea. These are amino acids for growth and metabolism in the human body.

Fat comes in saturated and unsaturated fat (nhs.uk). It is also a source of energy. Calcium is for the health of the digestive, muscular and circulatory systems. Iron has a role in red blood cell production as it creates haemoglobin to carry oxygen to cells (ucsfhealth.org). Magnesium is for building bones and preserving them strong.

Nutritional Facts of Banana tea

There are over 90% of calories in bananas coming from carbs (healthline.com).  The starch in it turns into sugar as the banana ripens, and that is why unripe bananas are high in starch and resistant starch, while ripe bananas are rich in sugar. Bananas also contain fibre and are low in protein and fat. 

Note that there is a range of bananas, making size and colour vary. A medium-sized banana contains about 105 calories. It also contains water-soluble nutrients such as vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and copper. 

Bananas release nutrients like vitamin B6 and potassium, that you will not get from eating the whole fruit. Longer steeping times increase the concentration of nutrients in the tea. Banana tea is also a source of potassium and magnesium for heart health and sleeps quality. It contains vitamin B6, which helps support a healthy immune system and red blood cell development.

Benefits of Banana tea

Bananas are high in water-soluble antioxidants that regulate fluid balance in your cells. The potassium and water content of banana tea can help counterbalance bloating due to a high-salt diet by signalling your kidneys to excrete more sodium into your urine.

Banana tea is a sleep aid with three nutrients to help improve sleep. These are potassium, magnesium, and tryptophan.

Bananas contain magnesium and potassium, two minerals that better sleep quality and length. They have muscle-relaxing properties, tryptophan, an amino acid for producing the sleep-inducing hormones serotonin and melatonin. 

Banana tea is a great replacement for sugary beverages. It has a small amount of sugar, released into the water during brewing. That is a natural sweetener for your tea. A banana has no added sugars, and that is a way to decrease your sugar intake.

Banana tea contains potassium and magnesium (healthline.com). These help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Banana is rich in catechins, an antioxidant that reduces your risk of heart disease.

Bananas contain Vitamin A, Vitamin B, antioxidants, lutein, and potassium with other nutrients. These nutrients promote weight loss in the body. They boost metabolism, which helps the body burn unnecessary fats quickly and effectively. Drinking this tea makes you feel fuller and reduce your appetite so that you eat less.

Potential downsides

People who are allergic to latex may also be allergic to bananas. They are allergic to latex and are also sensitive to some plant foods. The side effects of drinking banana tea include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, and hyperkalemia. Avoid consuming too much banana tea or if the bananas used to brew the tea are not organic.

How to make Banana tea

There are two methods that you can follow to make banana tea. You can have it with the banana peel on or off, depending on your preference. Keep any leftovers in your refrigerator and drink them within 1–2 days. Use the leftover banana in other recipes, such as for smoothies, oatmeal, or banana bread.

Banana tea without the peel

1. Fill a pot with 2–3 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
2. Peel one banana and slice off both ends.
3. Add the banana to the boiling water.
4. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5–10 minutes.
5. You can add cinnamon or honey.
6. Remove the banana and divide the liquid into 2–3 cups.

Banana peel tea

1. Fill a pot with 2–3 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
2. Rinse the banana under running water to remove dirt and debris.
3. Slice off both ends.
4. Add the banana to the boiling water.
5. Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 15–20 minutes.
6. Add cinnamon or honey if you want.
7. Remove the banana and divide the remaining liquid into 2–3 cups.
8. Enjoy.

How many cups of Banana tea can you drink?

One cup of banana tea daily helps you get a peaceful sleep. The total caffeine content of tea varies but is between 20–60 mg per cup. You should not drink more than 3 cups (710 ml) per day.

FAQs

When should I drink banana tea?

Drinking banana tea before bedtime makes you enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Is it safe to drink banana peel tea?

Yes, it is safe to brew tea using banana peels. Clean the banana peel thoroughly, and choose an organic banana. Avoid ingesting any residual pesticides or herbicides.

Does drinking boiled banana water help you sleep?

Yes, it helps you sleep if you are struggling. Drink it an hour before bed to calm the nervous system and helps the body prepare for deep sleep. Banana peels contain potassium and magnesium, which are natural muscle relaxants. Choose your bedtime snack wisely. Snacks containing caffeine work against the sleeping progress. Avoid heavy or spicy food before sleep.

What does banana tea taste like?

It tastes like stewed flavored banana water.