As one of the most popularly consumed fruits in the world, oranges hve been popular and famous for their sweet, juicy flesh and for being exceptionally high in vitamin C, an essential vitamin for a strong immune system.
Orange cover or peels are often removed and discarded before you eat an orange, but this is really a mistake. The discarded peels contain a high concentration of desirable body nutrients.
But do you know that just 1 tablespoon or 6 grams of orange peel contains nearly 3 times more vitamin C and 4 times more fibre than the inner fruit. Other essential nutrients in orange peel include provitamin A, folate, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, and calcium. It also contains antioxidant compounds called polyphenols, which is linked to the prevention of chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Orange peels also contain hesperidin and poly methoxy flavones (PMFs), two polyphenols that are believed to possess anticancer properties. Essential oils in orange peels also contain limonene, a naturally occurring chemical that is believed to possess anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.
The most common method is by consuming it as tea. When eaten raw, the orange peel may be hard to digest due to its tough texture and high fibre content, and may also be too bitter to some people due to its bitter flavour. However, instead of discarding your orange peel because you can’t afford to eat it raw, you can boil a teaspoon of dry or fresh orange peel and boil it in water for about ten minutes to make orange peel tea.
Some of the potential health benefits of orange peel tea include:
1. Regulation of blood sugar levels
The consumption of orange peel tea can also help to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes by preventing spikes in blood sugar levels and reduction of blood sugar when high due to the presence of pectin.
2. Helps with constipation
Orange peels contain pectin, which helps improve the health of the digestive system and ease constipation. Its pectin content also helps to fight acidity and heartburn.
3. Weight loss
Due to its high fibre content, a tea made of orange peels can also help to enhance weight loss by giving the feeling of satiety or fullness, thus enhancing less intake of calories that can lead to weight gain.
4. It helps burn fat
Orange peel is also believed to contain anti-obesity properties and its rich vitamin C content is also known to help promote fat burn.
5. It improves lung health
The high vitamin C content in orange peels helps to boost immunity and prevent lung infection. This boost in immunity also helps to prevent ailments such as cold and flu.
