While eating an orange peel might not seem very appetizing or appealing, it actually doesn’t taste that bad. You quickly get use to the thickness and texture of the hard peel.
Here are some of the incredible health benefits!
1. Lowers High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Orange peels, white pulp, and pith are full of hesperidin, a flavonoid that’s been shown to have these benefits.
Elzbieta Kurowska, Ph.D., vice president of research at KGK Synergize in Ontario, Canada, has found in her studies that polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) in orange peels are more likely to lower cholesterol than many prescription drugs.
2. Anti-Allergetic
The peel has something in it that prevents histamine from being released. Histamines are a chemical that causes allergic reactions. Orange peel’s prevention of its release makes them a potentially anti-allergic food that will help that sneezing and runny nose from allergies.
3. Anti-Inflammatory
Orange peels have similar properties to the anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin.
4. Improves Oral Health
It whitens teeth and reduces sensitivity. The citrus also acts as a natural breath freshener.
5. Boosts Immune System
The high concentration of Vitamin C and Vitamin A will strengthen your immune system and keep a cold, cough, and flu far far away.
6. Anti-Cancer Activity
According to research published in the journal BioMed Research International:
“Due to their broad range of pharmacological properties, citrus flavonoids have gained increased attention. Accumulative in vitro and in vivo studies indicate protective effects of polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) against the occurrence of cancer.
PMFs inhibit carcinogenesis by mechanisms like blocking the metastasis cascade, inhibition of cancer cell mobility in circulatory systems, proapoptosis, and antiangiogenesis.”
7. Protects Respiratory System
Eating foods that contain beta-cryptoxanthin are proven to lower your chances for lung cancer significantly. Orange peels and oranges are both known to contain a lot of this.
The George Mateljan Foundation wrote on their blog about the benefits of orange saying that: “A study published in the September 2003 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention reviewed dietary and lifestyle data collected from over 60,000 adults in Shanghai, China. Those eating the most crytpoxanthin-rich foods showed a 27% reduction in lung cancer risk.
When current smokers were evaluated, those who were also in the group consuming the most cryptoxanthin-rich foods were found to have a 37% lower risk of lung cancer compared to smokers who ate the least of these health-protective foods.”
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8. Improves Digestive System
The peels contain lots of fiber and non-soluble polysaccharides which help food move through your intestines better and digestion to work smoothly.
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9. Helps with Weight Loss
It is low in calories and a great fiber to put in smoothies or to cut up and eat as a snack.