Plantain -The natural cure

The nutritional value of plantain makes it stand out as a very important addition to any healthy living diet plan. It is one of the healthiest foods in the world in terms of its nutrient content.
Plantains contain tryptophan, a chemical found in certain foods that act as a naturally-occurring mood enhancer. HealthGuidance.org suggests that eating plantains and bananas can help people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Due to their considerable amounts of vitamins C, B6, B12 and A1, eating plantains can also help smokers kick the habit. The magnesium and potassium contained in plantains can assist the body in healing from symptoms of withdrawal.

Plantain is rich in low GI carbohydrate, dietary fibre, and vitamins and minerals. When cooked, plantain is extremely low in fat, high in fibre and starch.

It is very low in cholesterol and salt too. It is also rich in potassium, magnesium and phosphate.

The potassium in plantain is very good for the heart and helps to prevent hypertension and heart attack.

Doctors commonly prescribe it for people who have low level of potassium in their blood.

It is a good source of vitamins A, B6, and C which helps maintain vision, good skin, and build immunity against diseases.

The green plantain is very low in sugar. The carbohydrate in the green unripe plantain is stored as a complex starch, slowly released after cooking and it is a good inclusion in a diabetic diet. A diet of green plantain can also be a good inclusion in a weight loss diet plan.

The ripe or yellow plantain is rich in sugar and very sweet to taste.

Recipe for ripe plantain cake

Ingredients
• 3 fingers of overripe plantain
• 3 tablespoon ground fresh ginger     (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground chili         pepper about 3 chili’s)
• 1 finely diced onion
• 1/2 cup palm-oil (preferably         zomi)
• ½ cup flour (or use corn dough)
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Method:
• Wash plantains, peel and mash in a bowl.
• Add ground chili and ginger and  stir to mix well.
• Add flour (or corndough), then add salt.
• If the dough seems thin, add a  little bit more flour to make it  thicker then stir in palm oil.
• Pour mixture into a greased baking tin (greased with palm oil) and bake in oven at 350 degrees.
Bake for 30 minutes until firm.
• Serve warm or cold

The Mirror