6 curious facts about the banana

We love the yellow wonder fruit as a source of energy and a healthy snack. But do we really know them? We reveal six curious facts about the banana that will surprise you.

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via Sabrina
09/04/2017, 17:46
Junge Frau hält sich lachend eine Banane quer vor den Mund© iStock
Where does the name "banana" actually come from and does the yellow fruit have other functions? We'll tell you.

The origin

The word banana is derived from the Arabic word "banan". This means something like finger.

Similarities

Human DNA and that of a banana are 55 percent identical.

Consumption

The yellow miracle fruit is only really ripe when it has small dark spots on its skin. The more dark spots, the better the quality.

Vitamins

Bananas contain 400 mg of potassium per 100 grams - an essential mineral that is good for the heart - as well as many B vitamins. And: if you eat 600 bananas, you expose yourself to radioactive radiation equivalent to a chest X-ray. That's because of the potassium. But who can manage that?

First aid

Got a nasty splinter in your foot or finger? Simply press the inside of a fresh banana peel onto the splinter for a quarter of an hour. The enzymes will pull the splinter out.

Mosquito magnet

Mosquitoes are particularly attracted to the smell of a person who has just eaten a banana. On the other hand, rubbing banana peel on a mosquito bite helps to relieve itching.

Delicious baking recipes with banana: Try our no-bake banana split cake or the banana cake with eggnog.