Citrus Peels
Supplements are great for a couple of specific reasons:
Because your diet is limited
Because a genetic polymorphism makes it so that you cannot produce a particular byproduct of a vitamin or mineral
Because your current condition could benefit from more than the normal daily intake of a vitamin, mineral or byproduct, which should be temporary
Functional foods, nutraceuticals and supplements are key words in a billion dollar industry. While they may offer benefits, they’re expensive and sometimes unnecessary. It behooves one to know where the nutritional cache may lie, especially if it’s normally something tossed into the compost.
Citrus fruits hold a wealth of vitamins and minerals but their skins are especially rich. Recent studies have found that grapefruits peels are abundant in polyphenols and flavonoids, particularly in naringin.² Polyphenols are bits found in plant foods that don’t necessarily feed our body’s cells, but do sustain a healthy and robust microbiome. You want them in you! Flavanoids are polyphenols that are thought to reduce inflammation, prevent neurotoxicity, support a healthy heart and protect cells from cancer growth.⁴ Peels also harness antioxidant potential and the oil extracted from lemon peels have been reported to inhibit the growth of candida.³ Pow!
Dry roasting citrus skins between 40-60C augments bioactive constituents’ strength and freeze drying the skins makes them even stronger.¹ Fresh skins still offer benefit, but you’ll want to de-wax them first (drop in hot water, rinse and dry with a towel). Add peels to your tea, hot water or your slow cooked stew and enjoy supporting your health while minimizing your spend.
Joyfully,
Gina
References
Rafiq S, Kaul R, Sofi S, Bashir N, Nazir F, Ahmad Nayik G. Citrus peel as a source of functional ingredient: A review. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences. 2018;17(4):351-358. doi:10.1016/j.jssas.2016.07.006
Castro-Vazquez L, Alañón ME, Rodríguez-Robledo V, et al. Bioactive Flavonoids, Antioxidant Behaviour, and Cytoprotective Effects of Dried Grapefruit Peels (Citrus paradisi Macf.). Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016;2016:8915729. doi:10.1155/2016/8915729
Hernawan I, Radithia D, Hadi P, Ernawati D. Fungal inhibitory effect of Citrus Limon peel essential oil on Candida albicans. Dental Journal (Majalah Kedokteran Gigi). 2015;48(2):84. doi:10.20473/j.djmkg.v48.i2.p84-88
Cory H, Passarelli S, Szeto J, Tamez M, Mattei J. The Role of Polyphenols in Human Health and Food Systems: A Mini-Review. Front Nutr. 2018;5:87. Published 2018 Sep 21. doi:10.3389/fnut.2018.00087
