Many shoppers glance over green bananas while waiting for a brighter yellow bunch to ripen, but experts say that patience may not always be necessary.

Green bananas, while less sweet, can deliver nutritional benefits that differ from their riper counterparts.

According to Jonathan Crane, a retired tropical fruit crops specialist at the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center, not all bananas ripen the same way. He explained that bananas harvested before maturity never reach full flavor or texture.

"Bananas that have a sharp angle to the fruit are less mature or immature compared to mature bananas, which have a smoothed-out or rounded shape," Crane said.

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Some bananas, he said, stay green and never ripen normally, yet they may still be tasty and safe to eat.

Storage conditions also influence how the fruit matures. Bananas exposed to excessive cold during shipping or storage can develop what Crane called "chilling injury."

That injury prevents ripening and leaves the fruit greenish-yellow for long periods.

Crane added that bananas should ideally be kept between 56 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain quality and avoid damage. Temperatures below that range can disrupt the ripening process.

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Dietitian Lauren Manaker, based in South Carolina, said that both green and ripe bananas offer potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients.

"The better pick depends on you," she said.

Manaker noted that greener bananas have more resistant starch, which acts much like fiber and digests more slowly in the body. Because of this, they are less sweet and can have a milder effect on blood sugar.

As bananas ripen, she added, resistant starch changes into natural sugars. "That's why ripe bananas taste sweeter, feel softer and are easier on the stomach for many people," Manaker said.

Those monitoring their blood sugar or looking for more resistant starch might prefer greener fruit, while those seeking sweetness and easy digestion may choose ripe bananas.

Manaker emphasized that consumers should think about their overall eating habits rather than focusing solely on banana ripeness.

"The thing to keep in mind is overall context," she said. "It helps to think about how they fit alongside everything else you eat in a day rather than focusing on bananas alone."