Today is a #BananaLoversDay and we want to celebrate it by talking about… well, bananas.
First of all – did you know a banana is technically a berry? (But a strawberry isn’t!) Bananas may be considered a mood enhancer because it contains the amino acid, tryptophan and Vitamin B6 that helps the body produce serotonin. Also – bananas can help lower blood pressure and protect heart health due to high potassium and low salt content. The inside of a banana peel can help relieve itching and inflammation, such as from bug bit or poison ivy.
But enough about them.
We also wanted to discuss the significance of the little stickers we always find on our fruit and rarely pay any attention to. Apart for the company name, logo etc. that some of the fruit might have, every fruit sticker has what is called a PLU code, also known as a price look-up number.
If your fruit has a four digit number on it, such as 4020, then that means it has been grown using conventional methods. For bananas that code is 4011.
If there is a five digit code beginning with the number ‘9’, such as 94011 for bananas, then you know your fruit has been grown organically and if it is genetically-modified fruit, then it will have a sticker with a five-digit code on it beginning with an ‘8’ (which you probably want to avoid).
Next time your buying a healthy snack for you or your family have a look and check what kind of fruit you’re getting!