2024-10-01 17:59:26
Banana is a fruit which has countless benefits for health. It contains all the essential nutrients which are needed for better functioning of the body. Banana is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, phosphorus.
Eating banana provides many benefits like strengthening digestion, weight loss, weight gain, strengthening bones, increasing energy levels, keeping the heart healthy and controlling blood sugar. But you can get these benefits only when you are eating naturally ripe banana.
But do you know that the bananas you are eating are being cooked with dangerous chemicals. The surprising thing is that bananas are being plucked before time and sold in the market by forcefully treating them with chemicals. Obviously, in such a situation, poison is being mixed in your body.
What does carbide mean?
Carbide, especially calcium carbide, is being used to ripen bananas and other fruits. This is a chemical which is banned in many countries including India. It is considered a health hazard. Eating ripe fruits increases the risk of many serious diseases including cancer.
This chemical is banned in India
Calcium carbide usually contains arsenic and phosphorus. Use of these chemicals can cause many harms to health. Due to these hazards, the use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits is banned under Food Safety and Standards Regulation 2.3.5 (Ref). Ethylene is considered safe for ripening fruits. Ethylene is not harmful when used properly.
poisonous substances
Calcium carbide often contains hazardous chemicals such as arsenic and phosphorus. Consuming these can cause many health problems. Exposure to acetylene gas can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, irritation of mucous membranes, and difficulty breathing.
digestive problems
Carbide use may cause gastrointestinal problems such as stomach pain, diarrhea and heartburn. Not only this, prolonged exposure to calcium carbide can affect the nervous system, causing symptoms like headache, dizziness and confusion.
risk of cancer also
According to a study (ref) published on NCBI, exposure to calcium carbide can cause neurological symptoms like dizziness, headache, mood swings and, in severe cases, seizures. Long-term exposure to arsenic and phosphorus from calcium carbide also increases the risk of cancer.
Nutrients are lost
Artificially ripened fruits often have lower nutritional value than naturally ripened fruits. They may not be able to fully develop sugars and other essential nutrients, reducing their health benefits.
How to Identify Ripe Bananas from Carbide
- Carbide ripened bananas often ripen unevenly. Some parts of the banana may turn yellow while others may remain green.
- Bananas ripened with calcium carbide spoil faster than naturally ripened bananas.
- The skin of carbide-ripe bananas often appears more yellow and may appear shiny, but the flesh remains less ripe or hard.
- Naturally ripe bananas feel soft to the touch, but still hold their shape. If the banana is completely yellow but still very hard, it may have been ripened with chemicals.
- Naturally ripe bananas have a pleasant, sweet aroma. Bananas ripe with chemicals do not have this natural fragrance.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always consult your doctor for more information.