Banana tea has some health benefits, such as improving sleep quality, reducing swelling, reducing anxiety or preventing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack or stroke, for example.
This is because this tea is rich in potassium, magnesium and tryptophan, as well as gallocatechin, especially in its bark, with an antioxidant, relaxing and fluid-regulating action in cells.
This tea can be prepared with the peeled banana or the peel of this fruit. However, there are still no studies that prove the benefits of this tea and, therefore, it should only be used under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist.
8 benefits of banana tea
The main health benefits of banana tea are:
1. Reduces swelling
Banana tea is rich in potassium, which is an essential mineral that helps balance electrolyte levels in cells, especially sodium.
In this way, banana tea can help reduce body swelling related to a diet high in salt, by increasing the elimination of sodium and water through urine.
2. Prevents cardiovascular diseases
Banana tea, especially banana peel tea, is rich in flavonoids, such as gallocatechin, which is a water-soluble antioxidant.
This substance helps combat damage to blood vessel cells caused by free radicals and prevent the formation of thrombi, which can prevent the emergence of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. Check out other benefits of banana peel.
3. Lowers blood pressure
Banana tea is rich in potassium and magnesium, which are minerals that promote the relaxation of blood vessels, in addition to helping to eliminate excess sodium in the body through urine.
In this way, banana tea can help lower high blood pressure or prevent this disease.
However, it is important to emphasize that the consumption of banana tea for people with high blood pressure must be done with medical advice and does not replace treatment with medication prescribed by the doctor.
4. Improves sleep quality
Banana tea contains tryptophan, which is important for the production of melatonin and serotonin, which are hormones that the body produces naturally and are related to mood, well-being and sleep.
Therefore, banana tea can help improve sleep quality.
Furthermore, the magnesium and potassium present in this tea help promote muscle relaxation, which also helps to improve the quality and duration of sleep.
5. Reduces anxiety
Banana tea is rich in magnesium, an essential mineral that participates in several functions of the central nervous system, such as mood, sleep and relaxation.
In this way, this tea can help reduce anxiety and combat stress.
6. Fights depression
Because it is rich in tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin, banana tea can help increase serotonin levels in the body and help combat symptoms of depression or anxiety.
7. Prevents cramps
Banana tea can help reduce the appearance of cramps and improve muscle recovery after physical exercise, as it contains potassium, which is an important mineral for muscle contraction.
8. Replaces sugar in drinks
Banana tea contains small amounts of sugar that are released during its preparation, and can replace the consumption of sugary drinks, due to its natural sweetening property. See also other benefits of consuming bananas.
Does banana tea help you lose weight?
Banana tea does not lose weight, as it does not promote the burning of body fat or stimulate energy expenditure.
However, this tea can help reduce body swelling and reduce anxiety, which can promote weight loss when associated with a balanced diet and physical exercise.
How to make banana tea
Banana tea can be made with unpeeled bananas or just the banana peel.
1. Peelless banana tea
Peelless banana tea can be used to help improve sleep quality or to replace sugar in sugary drinks, as long as no sugar is added to the tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole ripe banana, peeled and with the ends cut off;
- 500 to 750 mL of water.
Preparation mode:
Bring the water to a boil, and when it is bubbling, add the banana, letting it boil for another 5 to 10 minutes over low heat. Then turn off the heat, remove the banana, wait for it to cool and drink 2 to 3 cups a day.
2. Banana peel tea
Banana peel tea can be used to help improve sleep quality, reduce swelling, promote weight loss and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Check out all the benefits of banana peel tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana peel;
- 500 mL of water.
Preparation mode:
Wash the banana peel well to remove dirt and cut off the ends. Add the water and banana peel to a container and let it boil over low heat for 5 minutes.
Then, remove from heat, remove the banana peel, wait for it to cool and drink 1 cup, up to 3 times a day.
Possible side effects
Side effects that may occur when consuming banana tea are drowsiness and increased urge to urinate.
Furthermore, consuming larger amounts than recommended can greatly increase potassium levels in the body and cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, or a tingling sensation in the body.
Who shouldn’t use
Banana tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, as there are no studies that show the safety of its consumption.
Furthermore, people who use medication for high blood pressure or kidney problems should drink this tea with caution and only under medical advice, as it may interfere with the effect of these medications.
It is also recommended that people who use antidepressant or anxiolytic medications only use banana tea with medical advice.
