How Orange Peels Benefit the Body & Skin?
Orange is known as a super fruit filled with various nutrients. Since the start of the pandemic and much emphasis on Vitamin C for immunity, oranges quickly came into the spotlight. They’re also good for hydrating our body, imparting a quick boost of energy. Also, the fibers present in oranges are good for digestion and overall gut health. Oranges are peeled, then eaten. And what do we do with the orange peel? We generally throw it into the garbage right? But did you know that you can put orange peels to good use for your body and the skin? Here are the ways in which orange peels can be used.
Eating orange peels
Yes, you heard that right! Eating orange peel is safe and has been known to impart many health benefits to the body. In fact, just one tablespoon of orange peel, approximately 6 gms, would fulfill 14% of the daily value of the Vitamin C - nearly three times more than the actual fruit. The same serving packs about 4 times more fiber. Studies show that diets high in Vitamin C and fiber benefit the heart and digestive health and may protect against certain types of cancer. Plus, it’s rich in plant compounds called polyphenols, which may help prevent and manage many chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Making an Orange peel face pack
There are many facial cleansers with orange peels, and orange juice available on the market. But did you know that you can make a face pack out of the orange peels? You just need to dry the orange peels in Sunlight, then put them in the grinder, and voila! - homemade orange peel face pack is ready to use. You can apply it to the face for fresh radiant skin. But there are many intrinsic benefits to it. Orange peel also contains good amounts of provitamin A, folate, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, and calcium. These compounds are good for skin health. Also, nearly 90% of the essential oils in orange peels are composed of limonene, a naturally occurring chemical that has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, including against skin cancer.
Things to keep in Mind
Pesticides are frequently used on citrus fruits like oranges to protect against mold and insects. Though studies have found the inner fruit of oranges to have very low or undetectable pesticide levels, the peels contain significantly higher amounts. Studies link chronic pesticide intake to negative health effects, including increased cancer risk and hormone dysfunction. It’s still recommended to wash oranges under hot water to reduce the number of pesticides ingested. When you want to buy oranges, make sure they’re from a trusted, organic source. Or simply, you can visit trusted sources to buy oranges online which are hand-picked, quality checked, and 100% organic. Due to their tough texture and high fiber content, orange peels can be difficult to digest. Eating them, especially larger pieces at a time, could cause stomach discomfort, such as cramps or bloating. So you might want to be careful and consult your dietician or physician before having orange peels.
