5 Reasons to plant and eat plantains

Plantains are a staple food in much of Nigeria. They grow in areas with reasonable amount of rainfall and good soil. Those are typical conditions in much of Southern Nigeria. Plantains can be boiled, fried or made into a paste for eating. Here are a few reasons to plant and eat plantains:

• Plantains are helpful in diabetic cases

Unripe plantains are a good source of magnesium which helps to regulate blood sugar. Magnesium helps in the breakdown of glucose in the body helping the blood sugar remain in the right range

• Antioxidants

Plantains are a rich source of Vitamin C which acts as antioxidants in the human body. Antioxidants helps the body fight certain types of cancers (lung, breast, colon and stomach), ageing and heart disease.

• Weight loss assist

Plantains contain carbohydrates, alright. However, the carbohydrates are the complex ones that contain fibre and starch. These are more slowly digested in the body. That mean the body will have less craving for food, leading to a more manageable body weight.

• Heart and blood pressure

There is a good amount of potassium in plantains which is linked with maintaining a healthy heart and blood pressure. The high fibre content in plantain also helps to lower body cholesterol. A low cholesterol is vital in maintaining a healthy heart.

• Vital raw material

The stem of the plantain tree, is a vital raw material that can be processed and spun into fibers for making storage sacks, clothing materials, pulp, paper, fiber board and floor. It is interesting to note that the stems are usually cut off and left to rot after harvesting, in most places in Nigeria. The plantain stem is very useful as a production raw material