Oranges are such a humble fruit that we under-appreciate how amazing they are. Do you know oranges contain almost all the vitamins and minerals, at least in a modest amount?
Particularly, oranges are a great source of fiber and a rich source of vitamin C and folate.
One orange covers 92% of your daily vitamin C needs. This water-soluble nutrient is essential for your health. Your body uses it for immune function, collagen synthesis, iron absorption, and more.
Folate is a B vitamin that plays a role in metabolism, fetal and placental development, and many other important processes.
What do you do with the peels? Most people just throw them away. After this episode, you won’t be one of them. Today, I will talk about some secret nutrients and benefits the peels can give you, and how to best incorporate orange peels into your diet.
The peels are also high in Vitamin C and fiber. But most importantly, they contain very high levels of polyphenols.
Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants. In this role, they prevent or reverse damage in your cells caused by aging, the environment, and your lifestyle. Emerging data also show their essential role in mitochondria functions, anti-aging, and weight control.
There are many types of polyphenols. Different types of polyphenols can have different additional benefits. One of the polyphenols that are high in orange peels is polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), which is a potent chemical to reduce HSD activity. HSD is an enzyme that converts inactive cortisol in cells into active cortisol, which leads to a higher rate of fat storage, especially in our abdominal areas. So orange peels’ secret function is to reduce fat storage in your abdominal areas.
In addition, Orange peels contain a high concentration of essential oil called limonene, a naturally occurring chemical that has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, including against skin cancer.
I think there is deep wisdom in why orange peels are used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine.
Orange peels may contain pesticides and need to be washed before eating, so it is better to get organic oranges. They have an unpleasant, bitter flavor and tough texture, which may be difficult to digest. So today, I am showing you 3 easy ways to use orange peels!
Add orange peel zest to your salad or yogurt
Orange peel smoothie
Boil orange peels in a pot of water: drink the tea or put the liquid to your air diffuser