Overview
- The fine strands are phloem bundles, part of the banana’s vascular tissue that transports sugars and nutrients during growth.
- Germany’s Federal Center for Nutrition and other experts say the threads are edible, non-toxic, and pose no health risk.
- Their nutrient contribution is small, though they contain dietary fiber and trace amounts of plant compounds.
- Removing the strands offers no health benefit and comes down to personal taste and texture preferences.
- Some outlets tout the threads as a “superfood,” a framing that goes beyond the measured assessments from nutrition authorities.