Many people often throw away fruit peels when eating. However, they do not know that the peels of certain fruits actually have highly effective healing properties.

1. Banana Peel

Banana peel contains components that help relieve itchy skin caused by fungal and bacterial infections. Rubbing banana peel on hands and feet can prevent cracks and frostbite. Drying banana peels and grinding them into powder also provides a great natural skincare method. In addition, banana peel can help treat high blood pressure and prevent cerebral hemorrhage.

People should know that banana peels contain more fiber and potassium than the flesh inside. At the same time, lutein – a powerful antioxidant found in banana peel – plays an important role in maintaining eye health.

An amino acid called tryptophan is also present in banana peel, which helps reduce the risk of depression by increasing serotonin levels (a neurotransmitter in the brain that affects mood).

2. Orange Peel

Orange peel contains more vitamin C, riboflavin, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, and potassium than the flesh inside. Flavonoids such as tangeretin and nobiletin in orange peel have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Orange peel can also be used in a variety of delicious dishes.

Orange peel porridge is fragrant, tasty, and helps treat phlegmy coughs. Adding a few pieces of orange peel when cooking broth enhances freshness and reduces greasiness. Orange peel tea is refreshing and improves circulation. Orange peel wine nourishes the lungs and reduces phlegm. Dried orange peel slices, when brewed, warm the digestive system, improve digestion, and reduce bloating and indigestion.

3. Watermelon Rind

Watermelon rind contains sugar, minerals, and vitamins, with benefits such as cooling the body, reducing heat, and lowering blood pressure. It can be eaten in salads, stir-fries, or soups.

Research shows that most citrulline is found in watermelon rind. Citrulline has antioxidant properties and helps the body convert arginine, an amino acid vital for the heart, circulatory, and immune systems.

We can eat the white part of the rind directly or dry and roast the rind, then brew it into tea to treat inflammation, heat-related issues, and mouth ulcers effectively.

4. Apple Peel

Apple peel is rich in fiber, aiding digestion. Studies show that apple peel has higher antioxidant capacity than the flesh, even greater than many other fruits and vegetables.

Quercetin, an antioxidant mainly found in apple peel, improves lung function, reduces respiratory issues, and protects the lungs from irritants. Quercetin also helps protect brain tissue and memory.

Another compound, triterpenoid, in apple peel can inhibit or destroy certain cancer cells. In addition, ursolic acid in apple peel stimulates muscle growth, strengthens bones, and reduces the risk of obesity. Many producers have extracted compounds from apple peel for use in health supplements.

5. Grape Skin

Grape skin contains more resveratrol than grape flesh or seeds. Resveratrol lowers blood lipids, prevents thrombosis, fights arteriosclerosis, and boosts immunity. Purple grape skin flavonoids also lower blood pressure. Grape skin is rich in cellulose, pectin, and iron.

Some researchers are exploring the use of grape skin in dishes to help treat high cholesterol and diabetes.

6. Pear Peel

Pear peel has high medicinal value in traditional medicine, with benefits such as improving heart function, nourishing the lungs, cooling the body, and generating fluids. Cleaned pear peel can be chopped and steamed with rock sugar to treat cough. Most of the vitamin C in pears is concentrated in the peel. It also contains soluble fiber that helps prevent constipation and colon cancer. Adding pear peel when making kimchi at home makes it crispier and tastier.

Note of Caution

Although these fruit peels have many health benefits, one should be cautious, as they may not be as clean as expected. Farmers and sellers sometimes use chemicals for preservation or growth purposes. Consuming contaminated peels may pose health risks.

Therefore, only eat fruit peels if you are sure they are safe and clean. Regardless of whether you eat the peel or not, always wash fruit thoroughly before consuming.