Dubai Business News — Sometimes, throwing away the peel may mean throwing away the best part.
An apple a day really can keep the doctor away — but only if you don't peel it first. Researchers have discovered that ursolic acid, the chemical behind the apple skin's waxy shine, offers unexpected benefits, from boosting muscle growth to keeping cholesterol and blood sugar under control. And apples aren't the only fruit with a potent peel. Here, we look at the nutritional value of peel and some of its more wacky uses.
PEACH: Whether you eat the skin for a burst of nutrients or scrub your face for a glowing complexion, peaches are an often overlooked super fruit. High in potassium and vitamin A, which help revitalise and hydrate the skin, eating the peel can boost the immune system, remove toxins, maintain healthy skin, protect the eyes from developing cataracts and lower the risk of cancer, heart disease and arthritis. You can also put some sugar on the skin's pulpy side and use as a gentle face scrub.
LEMON AND LIME: Both contain citric acid, so their rind is great for polishing brass, copper and other non-ferrous metals. Adding citrus peel to olive oil not only flavours it but helps reinvigorate oil that's getting old. To rid your microwave of nasty smells, put lemon peel and lemon juice with the same amount of water in an uncovered bowl and boil for up to ten minutes.
BANANA: Use the inside of the peel to shine the leaves of your houseplants. The skin also acts as a natural pesticide and fertiliser. You can even polish shoes with banana skin, rubbing down with a soft, clean cloth for a professional-looking shine. Banana skin contains potassium and antioxidants that aid a faster recovery. So pop a skin on a bruise and it will heal faster. You can even eat the skin — provided you boil or juice it first. Banana-peel extract can ease depression, as it is rich in serotonin, the mood-balancing chemical. The skin is also good for eyes, as it contains the antioxidant lutein, which protects eye cells from exposure to ultraviolet light.
PAPAYA: Need a quick pedicure? Rub papaya skins and pulp on the soles of your feet to soften skin and soothe cracked heels. Papayas are rich in vitamin A and papain, which breaks down inactive proteins and removes dead skin cells. You can also use the peel as an exfoliating face mask. Rub the skin over your face and leave for five minutes before washing off. Don't apply for too long, as the powerful juices in the peel can cause dryness.
KIWI: The hairy skin of the kiwi fruit is too good to waste. It contains three times the antioxidants of the pulp, giving it anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties. It also fights off bugs such as Staphylococcus and E. coli, which are responsible for food poisoning. If you can't bear to eat it raw, use the skin with other fruits, such as banana, in a smoothie.
ORANGE: The rind is bursting with antioxidants called super-flavonoids, which can reduce levels of cholesterol. The antioxidants obtained from the peel are 20 times more powerful than those from the juice. Add grated citrus peel to cauliflower cheese or cakes and muffins for a zesty health kick — or throw the whole unpeeled fruit into a juicer so you get all the benefits.
PEAR: Pear skin isn't just full of fibre, it contains a higher concentration of vitamins and nutrients than the flesh itself. These include chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant, and the flavonoid phloretin, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
AVOCADO: The skin may be inedible but its oil makes a fantastic skin serum, because it's able to penetrate into deep tissue, where it softens and moisturises. Avocado oil is also high in sterolins, which can help reduce age spots, prevent wrinkles and repair sun-damaged skin. Gently stroke the inside layer of the avocado skin along your face. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off.
POMEGRANATE: Use the rind to make potpourri. Slice, then dry somewhere warm. Leave natural or sprinkle a little liquid potpourri or the dregs of a perfume bottle. Mix with apple peel or citrus rind for variety. Pomegranates can also ease tummy troubles, such as diarrhoea. Boil a small pomegranate skin in water with a cinnamon stick and drink it once it has cooled. Repeat up to three times a day.
Reports from GulfNews.com and photo from FreePik.com.
An apple a day really can keep the doctor away — but only if you don't peel it first. Researchers have discovered that ursolic acid, the chemical behind the apple skin's waxy shine, offers unexpected benefits, from boosting muscle growth to keeping cholesterol and blood sugar under control. And apples aren't the only fruit with a potent peel. Here, we look at the nutritional value of peel and some of its more wacky uses.
PEACH: Whether you eat the skin for a burst of nutrients or scrub your face for a glowing complexion, peaches are an often overlooked super fruit. High in potassium and vitamin A, which help revitalise and hydrate the skin, eating the peel can boost the immune system, remove toxins, maintain healthy skin, protect the eyes from developing cataracts and lower the risk of cancer, heart disease and arthritis. You can also put some sugar on the skin's pulpy side and use as a gentle face scrub.LEMON AND LIME: Both contain citric acid, so their rind is great for polishing brass, copper and other non-ferrous metals. Adding citrus peel to olive oil not only flavours it but helps reinvigorate oil that's getting old. To rid your microwave of nasty smells, put lemon peel and lemon juice with the same amount of water in an uncovered bowl and boil for up to ten minutes.
BANANA: Use the inside of the peel to shine the leaves of your houseplants. The skin also acts as a natural pesticide and fertiliser. You can even polish shoes with banana skin, rubbing down with a soft, clean cloth for a professional-looking shine. Banana skin contains potassium and antioxidants that aid a faster recovery. So pop a skin on a bruise and it will heal faster. You can even eat the skin — provided you boil or juice it first. Banana-peel extract can ease depression, as it is rich in serotonin, the mood-balancing chemical. The skin is also good for eyes, as it contains the antioxidant lutein, which protects eye cells from exposure to ultraviolet light.
PAPAYA: Need a quick pedicure? Rub papaya skins and pulp on the soles of your feet to soften skin and soothe cracked heels. Papayas are rich in vitamin A and papain, which breaks down inactive proteins and removes dead skin cells. You can also use the peel as an exfoliating face mask. Rub the skin over your face and leave for five minutes before washing off. Don't apply for too long, as the powerful juices in the peel can cause dryness.
KIWI: The hairy skin of the kiwi fruit is too good to waste. It contains three times the antioxidants of the pulp, giving it anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties. It also fights off bugs such as Staphylococcus and E. coli, which are responsible for food poisoning. If you can't bear to eat it raw, use the skin with other fruits, such as banana, in a smoothie.
ORANGE: The rind is bursting with antioxidants called super-flavonoids, which can reduce levels of cholesterol. The antioxidants obtained from the peel are 20 times more powerful than those from the juice. Add grated citrus peel to cauliflower cheese or cakes and muffins for a zesty health kick — or throw the whole unpeeled fruit into a juicer so you get all the benefits.
PEAR: Pear skin isn't just full of fibre, it contains a higher concentration of vitamins and nutrients than the flesh itself. These include chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant, and the flavonoid phloretin, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
AVOCADO: The skin may be inedible but its oil makes a fantastic skin serum, because it's able to penetrate into deep tissue, where it softens and moisturises. Avocado oil is also high in sterolins, which can help reduce age spots, prevent wrinkles and repair sun-damaged skin. Gently stroke the inside layer of the avocado skin along your face. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off.
POMEGRANATE: Use the rind to make potpourri. Slice, then dry somewhere warm. Leave natural or sprinkle a little liquid potpourri or the dregs of a perfume bottle. Mix with apple peel or citrus rind for variety. Pomegranates can also ease tummy troubles, such as diarrhoea. Boil a small pomegranate skin in water with a cinnamon stick and drink it once it has cooled. Repeat up to three times a day.
Reports from GulfNews.com and photo from FreePik.com.
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