Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1912-02-07
BANANA I.AUDED
BY MEN OF MEDICINE

The dictum that fruits should be
eaten Gin their season" finds its lin.
itstions ms regards variety in the
temperate zones Mt certain periods Of
the year. There is, however, one fruit
which il readily available fresh in
American markets at practically all
seasons, although it grows best from
November to April in its tropical or
semitropical home. 1t il unfortunate
that an article Of diet which meets
certain nutritive requirements 90 well
and IL so easily obtained at reasonable
cost MS the banana should be the sub.
ject Of much misunderstanding among
both physicians and laymen. For de-
spite the fact that over forty million
punches are reported to have been
brought to the United States last
year, il Is popularity stated in many
quarters that the banana is difficult
OF digestion and may give rise TO ali
mentary distress.
| A closer consideration Of the com
position of the banana may serve to
elucidatc the situation. The fruit is
brought to our northern markets
green, and Is ripened by artificial
heat. This process can be FASTENED
or delayed within certain limits ac
cording to the momentsry demands
Of the retail trade. The color OF the
peel gives evidence Of the degree OF
ripeness. The green banana contains
In the part exclusive. Of the skin
about LIS per cent Of protein and q
, TO 25 per cent Of carbohydrate, al
most entirely starch. In the rip
, banana, with ycllow.brown peel, tn
. edible part contains somewhat les
, (Is to 10 per cent? of carbohydrate
, but that which remains il now almos
a entirely in the form Of solubl
! sugars. Broadly speaking, then, III
n ripe banana IL about one-fifth sugar
!. the green, one.fifth starch. Most q
A the remainder Of the edible pulp
n water. Intermediate degrees Of rip
ness present starch and sugar In r
:. ciprocsl proportions varying betwee
d the limits set above.
al Inasmueh AZ bananas are eommon
% eaten uneooked, Il Is obvious thu
4 more or less raw starch will be
a pested IL the fruit IL not ripe, !. e.,
n. the skin has not begun TO shrivel al
~ darken. Raw starch may be sing
,e lsrly irritating 20 the alimenta
ID tract of man aud is at best poor
9. utilized, whether IL be ingested IN
.e form Of uncooked potatoes, chestnu
"a bananas or other native starchy FOO
IN M one would advise the use OF
ed cooked potatoes; yet many peol
a. escbew a thoroughly ripe banana
en- the belief that this wholesome 1T
ar Ia "rottenD when the skin becou
~ darkened. whereas they eagerly
,ff the yellow. green starch bearing fr
Ike at A stage Of incomplete ripene
"a "Green' bananas, like "green"
nd ples. are unwholesomc 40 long ms
an. starch has not been adequately c
IN. verted into sugars in the ripen
nrocesses. But the delicious and
Of nocuous ripe banana should not
nv made 10 suffer In its dietetie rep,
IL tion because Of the ignorance OF
the consumer. Here Is chance for !
20 ular education, says The journal
,ow the American Medical Association
ion n recent editorial.
;,.t Experience shows that the thoro'
M ly ripe banana Cor the less ripe Il
the after eooking) is undeserving OF
low unfavorable reputation which IL
tips won in certain quarters. II form
IN u.eful addition TO the dietary, RI
the In nutrients and far more delie
In than some Of It's more expensive
ton petitors.