Many people choose to pick out the stringy bits of a banana after assuming it is just part of the peel, but a doctor is urging people to stop doing that.

The strands are actually phloem bundles, which play a crucial role in the banana’s growth by distributing nutrients throughout the fruit.

Dr Manuel Viso explained that picking them out could mean missing out on essential nutrients.

These strands, known as phloem bundles, play a crucial role in the banana’s growth by distributing nutrients throughout the fruit.

According to Dr Viso, they are essentially the “blood vessels of the banana,” rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, potassium, magnesium, and tryptophan, which is a key precursor to serotonin.

As reported by Spanish news site La Vanguardia, throwing away the phloem bundles means discarding a high concentration of vitamins and minerals.

Magnesium and potassium, both found in these strings, are crucial for heart health, muscle function, and nerve signalling.

Meanwhile, tryptophan is an amino acid that contributes to the production of serotonin, often called the "happiness hormone."

In a video posted to his Instagram, Dr Viso encouraged people to eat the entire banana, including the strings, to fully benefit from the fruit’s nutritional properties. "Next time you eat a banana, don't take away the albedo, eat it," he advised.

Dr Viso’s claims are supported by Nicholas Gillitt, vice president of nutrition research and director at the Dole Nutrition Institute in North Carolina.

Speaking to Huffington Post, Gillitt said that while phloem bundles haven’t been extensively studied, they likely contain more diverse types of fibre compared to the rest of the banana.

Fibre is a vital carbohydrate that aids digestion and has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer.

Since these banana strings provide structural support to the fruit, they likely contain beneficial dietary fibre and plant-based compounds that contribute to overall gut health.

While phloem bundles do provide added nutrients, their impact on overall health is relatively small, according to Gillitt.

Since the strings appear in such small amounts compared to the rest of the banana, you would have to eat a significant quantity of them for a noticeable difference in your nutrient intake.

Despite this, Dr Viso insists that including these fibres in your diet can only be beneficial, as part of an overall balanced and nutrient-rich diet.

For those looking to maximise their nutrient intake, keeping the banana strings intact is an easy and natural way to get more fibre, vitamins, and minerals.