3 Nutritional Differences Between Banana And Plantain
Plane and banana are fruits from countries with tropical or hot climates.
They are usually considered as staple foods in the daily consumption of the population, as they provide a great amount of benefits to their consumers.
These fruits have a very similar appearance and belong to the same plant family : the musaceas, as stated in this study by the National Agricultural Research Institute of Venezuela.
In addition, they are used in different ways when cooking, whether fried, boiled, roasted or raw.
This is not only due to their small differences in terms of texture and flavor, but also to their nutritional values.
If you want to know what are the nutritional differences between bananas and plantains, we suggest that you keep reading this article. Don’t miss it!
the plane tree
As we have already indicated, the plantain is a fruit belonging to the musaceae family, the paradisiacal type.
For this reason, it can be found more easily in tropical countries and close to the coast, where heat is abundant, such as Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica and, of course, Brazil.
The main characteristic of this fruit is its elongated shape and green skin, which becomes yellowish as it ripens, and black at the end of ripening.
The nutritional values of plantain per 100 grams are:
- Energy value: 96.4 calories
- Fiber: 2.5%
- Calcium: 7.8 mg
- Magnesium: 38.5 mg
- Iron: 0.3 mg
- Copper: 0.1 mg
- Zinc: 0.2 mg
- Manganese: 0.1 mg
- Vitamin C: 17.5 mg
- Proteins: 1.7%
- Potassium: 490 mg
- Phosphorus: 59.1 mg
- Carbohydrates: 22.5%
All these properties make the plantain a juicy fruit when it is ripe. However, it also contains starch: a starch that contains carbon, oxygen and hydrogen.
Starch means that plantain cannot be consumed before being cooked, as it is astringent, rubbery and dry.
- Generally, when it is green, it can be boiled in hot oil, boiled or boiled.
- If it is ripe or yellow, it can also be baked or grilled.
the banana
Banana also belongs to the musacea family, but this is of the acuminata type, and it is more easily cultivated in countries like Uganda, Ecuador, the Philippines and Brazil.
Its main characteristic is its cylindrical shape, smooth and soft. In addition, it has a white flesh and green skin, which turns yellow as it matures.
The nutritional values of bananas per 100 grams are:
- Energy value: 110.15 calories
- Fiber: 2.3%
- Calcium: 12.5 mg
- Magnesium: 41.5 mg
- Iron: 0.9 mg
- Copper: 0.3 mg
- Zinc: 0.2 mg
- Manganese: 0.1 mg
- Vitamin C: 18.5 mg
- Proteins: 0.3 mg
- Potassium: 434 mg
- Phosphorus: 59.1 mg
- Carbohydrates: 26.2%
Unlike plantain, banana does not contain starch, so it can be consumed without the need to cook.
In addition, it is recognized around the world for its sweet taste and pasty consistency. This makes it one of our favorite foods to consume any time of day.
Differences between banana and plantain
Despite having almost the same characteristics, banana and plantain can be differentiated. This study carried out by the University of Colima (Mexico) also establishes several options to determine its particular characteristics.
However, we will look at other types of properties of bananas and plantains that further mark the differences between these two fruits.
1. Microminerals
Plane contains a smaller amount of microminerals compared to banana, such as:
- Iron
- Copper
- Zinc
- Manganese
- Sodium
However, it has more potassium, an element that, according to this study by the Hospital Necker in Paris, can prevent muscle cramps and hypokalemia.
Likewise, it has a higher sodium content, surpassing bananas by 2 mg for every 100 grams.
2. Calories
The plantain contains a lower amount of calories, which makes it a perfect food not to get fat.
3. Proteins
Bananas have less protein, but more vitamin C and iron, so it is a more suitable option to provide a greater amount of benefits to our body.
On the other hand, plantain contains more protein and offers us a lot of benefits when it comes to losing weight.
Did you know these differences between bananas and plantains? We encourage you to try both, as they are delicious and have lots of nutrients.
