Bananas
Here’s a convenient overview of everything you need to know about bananas:
Emissions
Did you know that bananas have a very small carbon footprint? A study by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) calculated on the basis of 1,530 studies from 119 countries that bananas cause an average emmision of 0.9 kg of CO2 per kilogram. To give you an idea: for beef the world average is no less than 130 kg CO2 per kilogram. In general, the emissions for fruit and vegetables are a lot lower than for animal products. But there is also a lot of difference within the category. For example, emissions for crops in greenhouse farming are much higher. The emissions are also higher for fruits and vegetables that are out of season. For example, it is usually better for the climate to eat imported apples from a region where they are still in season than to eat local apples out of season. This is because refrigerated storage usually has a higher footprint than transportation.
The bananas that you will find in our supermarkets are mainly grown in Latin America. Over there, they can grow out in the sun. After harvesting, they are packed in large banana boxes and transported overseas by ship. Relatively speaking, this form of transport has a very low impact. Recent years, some stores have started selling European bananas. They usually originate from the Canary Islands. This archipelago on the African west coast officially belongs to Spain. That is why they can call it ‘European bananas’. These bananas have to travel fewer kilometers, but they are also more expensive due to the higher wages. So that’s a consideration that you have to make.
Land use
And the land use? They calculated that on average only 1.9 m² of land is needed for a kilogram of bananas. That’s only a fraction of the 45 m² you need on average for a kilogram of European deboned beef. For European pasture-based production systems, this amounts to 122 m² per kilogram. These European figures come from a literature review of 114 studies worldwide. The world average is even higher: 309 m² and 983 m² per kilogram for mixed production systems and pasture-based farming respectively. Here too, land use for fruit and vegetables is generally a lot lower than for animal products. And certainly for ruminants. There is also quite a bit of difference within the category of fruit and vegetables. For example, for a kilogram of berries you need much more land than for a kilogram of tree fruit such as apples.
Water consumption
And the water footprint? A study by the IHE Institute for Water Education calculated that a kilogram of bananas requires an average of 790 liters of water, while according to another study by the same institute, a kilogram of beef consumes an average of 15,400 liters of water worldwide. Within the category of fruits and vegetables, berries and water-rich fruits require the least amount of water per kilogram. In this category, bananas even outperform apples and pears.
Health
And are bananas healthy? They are mostly known as a good source of potassium and carbohydrates. Potassium is a mineral that plays an important role for our nervous system and contributes to a healthy blood pressure. And the carbohydrates in banana consist largely of resistant starch. That is beneficial for your gut microbiome. In addition, the carbohydrates give you more energy, while the fiber makes you stay satisfied longer. That’s why bananas are also very popular among athletes. Finally, bananas are also a good source of vitamin B6. That one helps with our metabolism and the breakdown and build-up of amino acids.
Like other fruits, bananas are certainly a healthy food. The Flemish Institute of Healthy Living recommends eating about 250 grams of fruit a day. That corresponds to 2 or 3 portions. A portion could be, for example, one banana, two tangerines or a dozen grapes. A banana is therefore an excellent choice as a snack. By the way, banana slices are also really nice on a slice of bread with some peanut butter!
P.S .: If you have a choice, try to buy organic and fair trade bananas. Only then can you be sure that no pestcide spraying planes have passed over the plantations. Moreover, the farmers then receive a fair wage that leaves room for the necessary investments to do even better.
Do you have any other questions about bananas? Feel free to ask them in the comments below!