We all know that citrus fruits such as orange, lemon and lime are a great source of vitamin C and can be used in various desserts and drinks. But what about the peel? The zest?! There are so many benefits of the zests of this vitamin packed fruits that it would be a waste if you threw them out!

Here we will list the top 4 benefits of citrus zests:

1. Helps fight cancer

Citrus zests can assist in eradication of toxic elements in your body.  Lemon peels in particular, consists of components known as salvestrol Q40 and limonene, which are known to fight against cancerous cells in the body. Also, the flavonoids found in the peel are known to be effective when it comes to slowing down the division of cancerous cells1. And who doesn’t want to consume something that is anti-cancerous?!

2. Contains more fibre and vitamins than the fruit itself

The peel contains up to 4 times as much fibre than the fruit itself, surely this would keep your bowels flowing more smoothly! They also contain 5 to 10 times more vitamins than the fruit itself, so what are you waiting for?

3. Lowers cholesterol

A study published in the “Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry” found that the PMF compounds in citrus peels have the potential to lower cholesterol when included in your diet. The study found that “feeding hamsters a cholesterol-raising diet containing 1% PMFs lowered the amount of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol by 32% to 40%.” A similar study in humans also revealed lower levels of total cholesterol3.

4. Contains higher concentration of antioxidants

Fruit peel / zest contains higher concentration amounts of antioxidants, including anthocyanin pigments, tannins, catechins than their flesh4.

 With the above listed benefits, we hope you will think twice before throwing out your peels. Add them to an amazing raw tart or sprinkle the zest over breakfast bowls! The choices are endless!

References:

1. “Lemon Peels: The Cheapest Investment In Your Health?”. mindbodygreen. N.p., 2013. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
2. “Nutritional Benefits Of Eating Peels, Stems And Rinds”. Oprah.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
3. Stokes, Angela. “Citrus Peel Benefits | LIVESTRONG.COM”. LIVESTRONG.COM. N.p., 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
4. Rudrappa, Umesh. “Fruit Peel Nutrition Facts And Health Benefits”. Nutrition And You.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.