The ‘Strings’ Inside Bananas Have a Name and Are as Healthy as the Fleshy Fruit It’s common practice for many people to peel off the dangling strings from the flesh of a banana before eating one, but this could be a mistake. Did you know that they’re safe to eat, and healthy too? The fibrous, pale yellow strings that run vertically along the fruit have a name—phloem bundles. They play a vital role in the growth of the banana while it’s still attached to the tree. The strings act as arteries, providing transit routes for food and water to nourish the fruit as it grows.