We all know that bananas themselves are not only popular worldwide but healthy too.
But what about banana chips, and in particular, are they good for your skin?
Do they have any nutrients that could improve your skin?
Does the way banana chips are cooked make any difference?
Can they cause acne or other skin problems?
How about actually putting banana chips on your skin?
Are there any health risks from eating them?
Let’s go skin deep and find some answers!
Banana chips contain many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6, that can contribute to healthy skin. The chips have vitamin A, which promotes cell repair and growth, potentially helping the skin appear more youthful. The body requires vitamin C for collagen production, which gives skin firmness and elasticity, and this is present in banana chips. They also contain magnesium and potassium, which can reduce inflammation and keep the skin hydrated. However, the method of preparation of the banana chips can determine how beneficial they are. If simply sliced and dehydrated, their nutrients and natural sugars become more concentrated. But banana chips fried in oil can potentially be bad for your skin.
Can Banana Chips Benefit Your Skin?
You may assume that because bananas are a healthy fruit, that surely banana chips would have the same benefits, particularly on your skin.
Now, while this is true in many respects, there’s is one crucial factor that makes a difference – the method of preparation.
Before I get into that, let’s look at the good points of banana chips.
Much like the banana itself, they contain an array of vitamins and minerals, some of which could make a difference to your skin.
Importantly, one cup of banana chips provides 8% of the necessary daily requirement of potassium.
This mineral, along with magnesium, can reduce skin inflammation and ensure the skin remains hydrated.
However, consuming a portion of that size will mean an extra 374 calories!
Banana chips contain the vitamins A, B6, and C, all of which contribute to the health of your skin.
Vitamin A is responsible for cell growth and repair, which helps with giving your skin a more youthful appearance.
Vitamin C is necessary for collagen production, which we know helps to keep the skin firm and elastic.
Plus, vitamin C can protect your skin against sun damage and potentially reduce your wrinkles!
So, although there is no scientific research on whether banana chips are good for your skin, they do appear to have some benefits.
Can Banana Chips Harm Your Skin?
Before you get too excited and imagine that banana chips are the answer to your skin dreams, let’s look at the downsides!
All the potential benefits I have listed above assume that the method of preparing the chips is to dehydrate them.
This ensures they keep all their nutrients and, in fact, concentrate them.
Baked banana chips are also a reasonable option, assuming no sugar or salt is added to them.
But as you well know, the majority of commercially produced banana chips are deep-fried in oil.
And this can have a detrimental effect on your skin, leading to inflammation and possible acne breakouts.
If you are prone to acne, you would be better off sticking to the whole fruit, not the chips.
I suppose we have to address the issue of actually putting banana chips directly on your skin, although I don’t know why you would wish to do this!
Quite frankly, this will not do any good and could leave a greasy residue on your skin.
Although banana face masks are a different story and can be good for you, they nourish and hydrate your skin!
So, on balance, banana chips are not only a delicious snack but can also offer a nutritious benefit for your skin.
This is thanks to their high levels of minerals and vitamins that contribute to hydration and cell growth and repair.
But if deep fried, you will be consuming excessive amounts of oil that can be bad for your skin.
Not to mention weight gain and your overall health and well-being.
Either way, they should be enjoyed in moderation as part of your balanced diet.
Are Banana Chips Healthy?
My Thoughts
- Banana chips contain high levels of vitamins which can help with cell repair, the reduction of inflammation, and collagen production
- They also include minerals such as potassium, which is known to hydrate the skin
- Ideally, the banana chips should be dehydrated to retain their nutrients
- Putting the banana chips directly on your skin will not be of benefit
- However, do be aware that banana chips, especially if deep-fried, are high in calories, so eating them in moderation is suggested
I hope this article cleared up a few facts for you, let me know in your comments.
For more skin facts, you may wish to read my thoughts on whether bananas cause acne.