Discover the fruits and vegetables with highly beneficial peels and learn how to incorporate them into your diet in this article.
Fruits and vegetables are widely recognized for their health benefits, but did you know that their peels or skins also offer valuable nutrients? Some studies suggest that certain fruit and vegetable peels can contribute to overall health in various ways. Often overlooked, these peels can be as beneficial, if not more so, than the fruits themselves. Here are five edible fruit and vegetable peels known for their positive impact on heart health.
1. Utilize orange peel to help regulate cholesterol levels
Orange peel powder, often employed in skincare remedies, also offers benefits for individuals managing cholesterol issues. The Royal Society of Medicine indicates that orange peel contains potent flavonoids that can effectively lower levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) in the body. Here are some ways you can incorporate orange peel into your diet to reap its cholesterol-lowering benefits:
- Juice the orange peels and consume the juice.
- Prepare a soup using orange peels or add them to vegetable curries.
2. Banana peel can contribute to combating depression
Surprisingly, banana peel contains serotonin, a feel-good hormone that can alleviate stress and uplift mood, thus aiding in the prevention of depression. When stress levels rise, our brain produces serotonin, promoting a sense of well-being. Additionally, banana peel contains the antioxidant lutein, which protects the eyes from harmful UV rays, lowering the risk of cataracts.
To incorporate banana peel into your diet for these benefits, boil a banana peel in a glass of water for about 10 minutes. Allow it to cool, then strain the water and drink it.
3. The nutritional advantages of potato skins
Many are familiar with the use of potato peel for treating dark circles and sun tan removal, yet its health benefits extend beyond cosmetics. Potato peel contains a wealth of nutrients such as iron, zinc, potassium, and vitamin C, all vital for our well-being. If you routinely discard potato skins when cooking curry, consider leaving them intact to reap these benefits. Alternatively, incorporating potato skin into dishes like potato chips offers another tasty way to enjoy its nutritional value.
4. Utilizing garlic skins to support heart health
Often overlooked, garlic peel holds significant health benefits that many disregard. According to a study published in ‘The Journal of Nutrition,’ garlic peel contains an antioxidant called ‘Phenylpropanoid,’ which plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure, lowering LDL cholesterol, promoting heart health, and potentially preventing cancer. Incorporating two garlic cloves with their skins into your daily diet can help harness these advantages.
5. Harnessing the power of pumpkin peel to enhance immunity
After learning about its benefits, you might reconsider tossing aside pumpkin peel. Rich in beta-carotene, it combats free radicals, lowering cancer risk and offering protection from UV rays. Enjoy it traditionally in curries or peel, sun-dry until crispy, and snack away.