platanosIt is the preferred food for high-performance athletes..

A study by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Zaragoza summarizes its peculiar morphological characteristics, physical-chemical and biochemical.

Black spots are its distinctive sign of quality, It is the preferred food for high-performance athletes and the most important crop in the Canary Islands.. For decades, Its industry was the protagonist of the economic growth of the Archipelago.

Today, with Protected geographical indication, It is known that the Canary Islands Banana has peculiar morphological characteristics, physical chemistry, biochemical and sensory characteristics that make it unique, according to the study.

Among the differences are the following:

  • Bananas have a lower content of total carbohydrates and, Therefore, lower energy value.
  • Of the different existing carbohydrates, The banana has a lower amount of starch and a higher amount of total sugars., what is responsible for its greatest sweetness.
  • protein content, ffiber and vitamin C They are similar in the Canary Islands banana and the rest.
  • The Canary Islands banana has a total mineral content (according to total ash data) superior; It has a very low content of sodium and that value is, In addition, lower than banana.
  • The Canary Islands banana has a higher content of potassium and phosphorus and less amount of calcium and magnesium compared to banana. It has a lower content than banana in all the microminerals studied (iron, zinc, copper, manganese).
  • The Canary Islands banana is an important source of fiber, Vitamin C, phosphorus, magnesium and especially potassium and manganese, since it covers a very high percentage of the daily needs of these nutrients in both children and adults.
  • Canary Islands bananas are smaller in length, weight and diameter, aspect that has become a sign of identity in Spain and other European countries.
  • There are differences in the color coordinates measured on the pulp of bananas from the Canary Islands and bananas., The Canary Islands banana has the yellowest pulp and the greatest intensity of color..
  • The Canary Islands Banana has a firmer texture, characteristic valued in sensory studies. The biochemical data show higher values ​​for the Canary Islands Banana in acidity and soluble solids.
  • The Canary Islands Banana is more susceptible to browning, especially if it is going to be prosecuted, but the sensory characteristics that are superior to those of the banana, can compensate for this technological difficulty.
  • Certain compounds responsible for the characteristic banana aroma are more abundant in the Canary Islands banana than in the banana., characteristic that contributes to a better sensory evaluation of the Canary Islands Banana.