Why you shouldn’t throw away your orange peels

Many people love the sweet fruits of oranges and then simply discard the peel and throw them away. Well, it is time you stop doing that as you could benefit from those peels.

Orange peels are actually a wonderful medicinal herb that is frequently used to improve slow, stagnant, and damp digestion.

Growing up, some people were told to chew on an orange peel every time they felt the flu creep up on them. This means that elderly people have always been aware of the benefits of orange peels.

Signs of slow digestion combined with a white coating on the tongue can be a good indication for orange peels.

The bitter taste of the whole peel helps to stimulate digestion and promote bile production and release. Plus, an orange peel tastes great in a tea blend.

‍According to Healthline, one test-tube study found that the total polyphenol content and activity in orange peels were significantly higher than in the actual fruit. Specifically, orange peels are a good source of the polyphenols hesperidin and polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), both of which are being studied for their potential anticancer effect.

Healthline also states that orange peels are rich in fibre, vitamins and disease-fighting polyphenols. They also contain limonene, a chemical that may protect against skin cancer.

According to Spoon University, the peel has something in it that prevents histamine from being released. Histamines are a chemical that causes allergic reactions.

An orange peel’s prevention of its release makes them a potentially anti-allergic food that will help that sneezing and runny nose from allergies.

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Written by Unathi Balele for BONA.

Feature image: Getty