A recent study published in the journal ACS Food Science & Technology showed that if banana peels were dried and ground into flour,

It can be made into baked goods that taste just as bland, if not better than wheat-based products.

When the researchers - from Aligarh Muslim University in India and the University of Houston in the United States - tested the taste of their experiment products, the flavors satisfied consumers, as did the acceptance of sugar-free products.

Moreover, the researchers found that using crushed banana peels in cakes enriches them with more fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, magnesium, potassium, protein, and antioxidant compounds, in addition to minerals and cancer-fighting nutrients.

On the other hand, adding lots of banana peel flour increases the firmness of the cake somewhat.

The texture of the cakes was balanced when using banana peel powder at a rate of 7.5% of the cake batter mixture.

Banana peels also contributed to increasing the durability of baked goods, as the goods remained on the shelf for three months, and at room temperature.

The high levels of tryptophan in bananas, along with the B6 in their peels, contribute to relieving depression (Shutterstock)

A report published on webMD (webmd.com) summarized some of the potential health benefits of banana peels as helping to:

Relieve depression

  • The high levels of tryptophan in bananas, along with the B6 in banana peels, may help relieve some symptoms of depression and other mood disorders.

    Tryptophan turns into serotonin when it's broken down, which can improve your mood.

    Vitamin B6 can help improve sleep, which has a positive effect on mood over time.

Digestive health

  • Banana peels, which are rich in fiber, can help regulate the digestive system and relieve constipation and diarrhea.

    Thus, it can be of great benefit to people suffering from Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

better eyesight

  • Vitamin A can help keep your eyes strong and healthy.

    This vitamin is abundant in both: banana peels and bananas as well.

Banana peels are full of polyphenols, carotenoids and other antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer (Shutterstock)

Reducing the risk of cancer

  • Banana peels are full of polyphenols, carotenoids, and other antioxidants that fight cancer-causing free radicals in your body.

    Thus, eating more banana peels - especially green, unripe ones - can increase antioxidant levels and reduce the risk of cancer.

  • WebMD confirmed that studies on the anti-cancer properties of banana peels were conducted in test tubes, not in humans.

    Hence, more research is needed to understand whether banana peels can reduce the risk of cancer in humans.

Reduce food waste

  • According to a report published on Science Alert, eating banana peels can help reduce food waste.

    This is because it weighs approximately 40% of the weight of a banana, and most of the time the peel, which is full of nutrients, is discarded.

    In addition, it contributes to extending the shelf life of some products.

    Because peels have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

  • The same goes for other fruit peels as well, such as mango peel, which has also been found to enhance the antioxidant properties of the cake and improve its flavour.