Banana tea has several health benefits, such as improving sleep quality, reducing swelling, decreasing anxiety, and preventing cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke.

This is because banana tea is rich in potassium, magnesium, and tryptophan (plus gallocatechin found in the peel), which possess antioxidant and calming properties and also help regulate fluid volume in the cells.

This tea can be made using peeled bananas or the peel itself. Because there are no studies confirming the benefits of banana tea, it should only be consumed under the supervision of a doctor or registered dietitian.

pot of banana tea in front of a basket of bananas

Health benefits

The main benefits of banana tea include:

1. Reducing swelling

Banana tea is rich in potassium, which is an essential mineral that helps balance levels of electrolytes in the cells, especially sodium.

In this way, banana tea can help reduce swelling related to a high-salt diet by increasing the elimination of sodium and water through the urine.

2. Preventing cardiovascular disease

Banana tea, especially banana peel tea, is rich in flavonoids like gallocatechin, which is a water-soluble antioxidant.

Gallocatechin helps combat damage to the blood vessels caused by free radicals and prevent the formation of clots, lowering the risk for cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.

3. Lowering blood pressure

Banana tea is rich in potassium and magnesium, which are minerals that promote relaxation of the blood vessels and help eliminate excess sodium through the urine.

In this way, banana tea may help prevent or lower high blood pressure.

It is important to emphasize that banana tea should only be consumed by people with high blood pressure under the supervision of a doctor and should not be used in place of medications prescribed by your doctor or other healthcare provider.

Check out other natural remedies for high blood pressure.

4. Improving sleep quality

Banana tea contains tryptophan, which plays an important role in the production of melatonin and serotonin, hormones produced naturally by the body that are associated with sleep, mood, and well-being.

Banana tea may therefore help improve quality of sleep.

Additionally, the magnesium and potassium found in this tea help promote muscle relaxation, which also helps improve quality and duration of sleep.

5. Decreasing anxiety

Banana tea is rich in magnesium, an essential mineral involved in several nervous system functions, such as mood, sleep, and relaxation.

In this way, banana tea may help decrease anxiety and reduce stress.

6. Combating depression

Banana tea may help increase levels of serotonin in the body, helping combat symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is because banana tea is rich in tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin.

7. Preventing cramps

Banana tea may help prevent cramps and speed up muscle recovery following a workout. This is because banana tea contains potassium, which is a mineral that plays an important role in muscle contractions.

8. Serving as a substitute for sugary drinks

Banana tea contains small amounts of sugar that are released during preparation. These natural sugars makes it a good substitute for sugary drinks.

Does banana tea cause weight loss?

Banana tea does not cause weight loss, as it does not increase fat burning or energy expenditure (calorie burning).

However, banana tea can help reduce swelling and decrease anxiety, which can help support weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

How to make

Banana tea can be made using peeled bananas or the peel itself.

1. Peeled banana tea

Peeled banana tea can be used to help improve sleep quality or as a substitute for sugary drinks, as long as no sugar is added.

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana with peel and ends removed;
16 to 24 oz (500 to 750 mL) of water.

Directions:

Bring the water to a boil on the stove then add the banana, letting simmer for 5 to 10 minutes over low heat. Remove from the heat, discard the banana, and allow to cool slightly. Drink 2 to 3 cups per day.

2. Banana peel tea

Banana peel tea can be used to help improve sleep quality, reduce swelling, support weight loss, and prevent cardiovascular disease.

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana peel;
16 oz (500 mL) of water.

Directions:

Wash the banana peel to remove any residue and cut off the ends. Bring water to a boil on the stove and add the banana peel. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

Remove from the heat, discard the banana peel, and allow to cool slightly. Drink 1 cup up to 3 times a day.

Side effects

Possible side effects of banana tea include somnolence and an increased urge to urinate.

In addition, consuming higher-than-recommended quantities of banana tea can significantly increase levels of potassium in the body, causing nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, and a tingling sensation.

Contraindications to use

Banana tea should not be given to children and should be avoided by people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is due to a lack of studies demonstrating the safety of banana tea.

Banana tea should be consumed with caution by people taking medications for high blood pressure or kidney problems, and only if approved by a doctor. This is because banana tea may interfere with these medications, causing undesired effects.

People who take medication for depression or anxiety should only drink banana tea if approved by a doctor.