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4 Common Foods You Should Eat With the
Peel On
Shubhra Krishan August 20, 2013 3:35 pm
We don’t often think about this, but just like us, plants also have to combat environmental stress. To
protect themselves from the constant onslaught of the elements, they concentrate most of their healing
compounds and substances on their topmost layer, kind of like how humans build fortresses to keep the
enemy out.
And yet, we regularly discard the peels and skins of whole foods, not realizing how beneficial they can
be for us. The next time you eat these four foods, keep the peel on.
Almonds: Next time you buy almonds, don’t go for the slivered variety. The brown skin of almonds
promotes good bacteria in the gut, thus helping the digestive process. A study published in the Journal
of Nutrition reports that the skin of almond has essential flavonoids that combine with the Vitamin E in
the meat of the nut to deliver powerful cholesterol lowering benefits. When you eat an almond without
the skin, the nut’s LDLreducing power is diminished.
Citrus Fruit: Grate organic orange zest onto desserts. Try some lemon zest in your pasta. Let the
grated skin of grapefruit add flavor to your salads. Orange peel covered in dark chocolate is not only
delicious but good for you. That’s because the skin of citrus fruit contains about four times more fiber
than the fruit itself. Furthermore, a 2003 study on the benefits of orange peel observed that it contains a
natural compound that can fight cancer.
Apples: The deeper you cut into an apple, the fewer nutrients you are going to get. Put away the
peeler, and enjoy the fruit, whole. Studies have shown that apple peel can lower bad cholesterol and
reduce other blood fats, thus protecting you from heart disease, obesity and diabetes. The peel also
nourishes muscles, preventing muscle atrophy in the late years of life.
Onions: This is a surprising one for many of us, but research studies have shown that onion skins
contain powerful healthboosting flavonoids, antiinflammatory substances and antioxidants. Simmer
your soups with onions, skin and all. When the soup is done, you can discard the outer layer of the
onion, but you will have reaped some of its health benefits.
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8/25/2015 4 Common Foods You Should Eat With the Peel On | Care2 Healthy Living
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