We all love oranges because it is juicy, sweet and full of nutrients. However, many people are unaware that the peels or skin of oranges is also fully packed with nutrients that serve diverse health benefits.
Some experts argue that peels of the orange are actually the healthiest part of the fruit. As per nutrition experts, the peels of orange contain 170 different
The orange peels are usually not as juicy and are bitter in
Yes, eating orange peels is healthy and the addition of orange zest to recipes such as cakes, cookies, or bread also helps pack a punch of flavour. But eating orange peels comes with some health concerns as well.
1. Chemical Coating
The major health concern associated with eating orange skin is that if you consume the peel of a non-organic orange, you will be consuming something bathed in chemicals. You can only consume an organically farmed orange peel because organic farmers only use natural weed control methods.
2. Quantity Concerns
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an entire peel or about 100 grams of the peel of an orange contains 10.6 g
3. Digestion Issue
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has noted that the digestibility of orange peels is also an important point to consider before consuming orange peels. It is said that when you consume large chunks of orange peel, it might not sit well and thus, can pose a digestion problem.
Health Benefits of Eating Orange Peels
Though there are some reasonable concerns to look out for before eating orange peels, you can still deny the health benefits of eating orange skin. Some of the major health benefits are:
The intake of orange peels helps in weight loss by exerting anti-obesity effects because of being low in calories and a rich source of fibre.
- Intake of orange peels helps relieve respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis by breaking and expelling congestion and therefore fostering lung cleansing activity.
- Peels of orange also help prevent digestive complications such as acidity, vomiting, and heartburn caused due to indigestion of food items.
- It also helps in improving oral health by preventing sensitive teeth, whitening the stained teeth and getting rid of the bad breath.
- Improving heart health because of the presence of compound nobiletin, a type of PMF known to lower the risk of heart disease and blood cholesterol levels.
A pro-tip
You can consume enough orange peels daily by grating the orange peel and sprinkling the zest over desserts, vegetables, and salads.
