💬 More Than Just a Nuisance?
If you’ve ever eaten a banana, you’ve definitely noticed those thin, stringy strands running along the sides when you peel it. Most people simply peel them off or ignore them entirely—but have you ever wondered what they actually are?
These strands are not just random leftovers from the peel. They’re known as “phloem bundles”, and believe it or not, they play a vital role in the life of the banana. Let’s take a closer look at their biological purpose, nutritional benefits, and whether you should eat them or not.
🧬 What Are They Called?
Those banana strings are called phloem bundles.
They’re part of the banana’s internal vascular system, which is a network of tissue responsible for transporting essential nutrients throughout the fruit.
In scientific terms:
- Phloem = transports sugars and nutrients from the banana plant’s leaves to the fruit.
- Xylem = transports water, but in bananas, the phloem bundles are more prominent.
So when you see those strings, you’re actually looking at the delivery system that helped the banana grow and ripen!
🌱 What Do Phloem Bundles Do?
Here’s why those strands are so important for banana development:
- 🚚 Transport Nutrients – They carry essential carbohydrates and minerals throughout the fruit.
- 🌱 Support Ripening – They help move sugars that make the banana sweet and tasty.
- 🧪 Distribute Plant Hormones – These regulate growth, ripening, and color change.
In essence, phloem bundles are nature’s built-in plumbing system for bananas.
🥄 Are They Safe to Eat?
TO CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE PLEASE SEE PAGE 2
