"Bananas, with their rich content of vitamins and minerals, are one of the main components of healthy nutrition. However, in some countries, bans on banana imports are being discussed, especially due to concerns related to cancer."
Medianews.az reports that these words were said by food expert Asim Valiyev in an interview with Milli.Az.
According to him, there are several key points we should pay attention to when choosing bananas. The banana's peel should be yellow and shiny. If the peel looks brown or very dry, it means it may be overripe or damaged. Overripe bananas usually do not have the same taste and quality as before:
"The stem part of the banana should not be green or hard. This may indicate that the banana is not fully ripe yet. Ideally, the stem should be soft and naturally brown. There should be no open wounds or brown spots on the banana. This can be related to a deterioration in quality or poor storage conditions."
The expert noted that a well-ripened banana is recognized by its fresh and sweet smell. It is advised to avoid bananas that have no smell or smell moldy.
He pointed out that after bringing bananas home, it is best to keep them at room temperature. Bananas stored in the refrigerator can lose their taste and texture.
A. Valiyev added that in some countries there are concerns that substances in bananas can cause cancer. The main concern is the presence of a substance called epichlorohydrin. He stated that this substance is a component of pesticides used during the supply of some bananas.
"It can cause food poisoning. However, this substance is present in very small amounts. It is recommended not to consume it in large quantities. Besides, bananas can raise concerns related to pesticides contained in them. Therefore, choosing organic bananas is a healthier option."