Bananas are a beloved by a bunch of us the world over, in fact, about 100 megatonnes are produced globally each year.
But will they go extinct on us? Will eating too many kill you? And are the peels really that slippery?
Read more: Peeling back the skin on the science behind bananas
On this episode of Huh? Science Explained, Imma Perfetto talks all things bananas. From the fact that they’re actually berries and that farmers need to clone them to make more plants, to the deadly fungal disease that almost caused the extinction of one variety – the Gros Michel – and still might cause the extinction of our favourite Cavendish one day.
These wonky yellow fruit also contain a whole lot of potassium, a fraction of which is a radioactive isotope, so could eating too many result in a fatal overdose?
And how slippery are banana peels according to physics?
Huh? Science Explained is a LiSTNR production.
Listen to more episodes of Huh? Science Explained
Originally published by Cosmos as Peeling back the science on bananas
Imma Perfetto
Imma Perfetto is a science journalist at Cosmos. She has a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Science Communication from the University of Adelaide.
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.
