Banana Facts
Banana Facts
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Interesting Banana Facts: |
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Size of banana depends on the species. Tree of commercially available banana can reach 25 feet in height. |
Banana looks like woody plant, but it is actually largest herbaceous plant. |
Leaves of banana are very thin, flexible and spirally arranged. They are usually 9 feet long and 2 feet wide. Leaves are used in Asian cuisine for the preparation of certain dishes. |
Fruit of banana plant grows in bunches called "hands". Each hand is composed of 10 to 20 individual bananas called "fingers". |
Most common color of the peel is yellow, but certain species of banana have green, red, brown or purple peel. |
Musa sapientum is scientific name for banana. It means "fruit of the wise men." |
Banana is the 4th most consumed plant in the world. First three places are reserved for rice, wheat and maize. |
100 000 million bananas are eaten every year. People in Uganda eat the greatest amount of bananas. They consume 500 pounds of bananas per person every year. |
Banana contains 75% of water. It is one of the healthiest fruits because it contains various vitamins, minerals, fibers and sugars in optimal doses. |
According to some scientific investigations, banana can prevent heart attack, stroke and even development of certain types of cancer. It also may soothe depression. |
There are a lot of different types of banana, but only rare varieties have pleasant taste. Banana of the Cavendish type is a variety that is currently consumed throughout the world. |
The Gros Michel banana variety was popular in the first half of 20th century. Unfortunately, fungal disease led to extinction of this variety in the world. |
Bananas contain radioactive isotope of potassium (called potassium-40). Luckily, amount of potassium is not high enough to induce damage in human organism. |
Fibers isolated from banana can be used in the manufacture of paper and fabrics. |
Lifespan of banana tree depends on the variety. Commercial species can survive 25 years and more. Roots of certain wild bananas can reach the age of couple of hundred years. |
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