Banana skin is not a miracle weight loss superfood

Eating banana skin is not a miracle weight loss technique, despite reports suggesting it is a "new slimming superfood".

An article in the New York Post said banana skins are overlooked as a food source. The report said skins are full of vitamin A, lutein and other antioxidants.

"What's more, they have tons of soluble and insoluble fibre, even more than the fruit itself — both can slow digestion, boost feelings of fullness, and even work to lower cholesterol," it said. "Choose green peels, which are better for cooking, and you'll also get a big dose of probiotics, which increasing research shows are essential to balancing the body's internal flora for weight loss."

In terms of edibility, the report suggests throwing the peel into a morning smoothie. It said yellow skin can be eaten raw, but green should be cooked – working well in savoury dishes apparently.

However, the weight loss superfood has been dismissed by nutrition scientist Dr Rosalind Miller, from the British Nutrition Foundation.

She told IBTimes UK there is no evidence to show eating banana skins leads to weight loss. She also said if you are going to eat them, they need to be boiled first.

"There are nutrients and phytonutrients contained in readily edible skins of fruit, vegetables and tubers – for example, the fibre content is much greater for potatoes if they are eaten with the skin on.

"There are some suggestions that this may be the case for bananas too (which need to be boiled and blended for palatability) but there is no scientific evidence that eating banana skins promotes weight loss."

So what is the best way to lose weight? Miller explained: "Based on current scientific evidence consumers may be wiser to stick to a healthy balanced diet where fruit and veg are consumed with skins when readily edible and perhaps leave banana skins for the compost."