It always seem to be citrus season and you surely have at least some orange in the house. Since they are delicious and nutritious fruits, their peel makes no exception to the rule. Oranges are a good source of vitamin C, help strengthen the immune system, make you hair and skin beautiful, and in addition, help you lose weight. Orange peel is extremely beneficial. Here are ten reasons why you shouldn’t throw way orange peel.
1. Reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol
The most important active ingredient is hesperidin which has a significant role in reducing high blood pressure, bad cholesterol and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is present in the orange peel and skin that surrounds the core. One trick that you can apply is to grate the orange peel and use in salads, in tea, yogurt, soups, porridge or rice to enjoy the benefits it brings.
2. Helps digestion
Orange peel contains a larger amount of phytonutrients and flavonoids than the flesh, which gives it anti-inflammatory properties, helping digestion and relieving gastrointestinal problems.
3. Strengthens the immune system
Due to the rich content of vitamins A and C, orange peel is an effective remedy for colds, strengthening the immune system. Vitamin C is vital for a strong immune system.
4. It has anticancer properties
Several studies found that certain compounds in orange are effective in the fight against breast cancer, esophageal, oropharyngeal (mouth and throat cancer) and stomach. And guess what: most of these compounds are found in the orange peel. Researchers found that the risk of these cancers is 40-50 % lower.
5. Maintains respiratory health
Eating foods rich in beta- cryptoxanthin, a carotenoid that is found especially in oranges, corn, pumpkin, papaya, red peppers and peaches may decrease the risk of lung cancer. A study conducted in 2003 on a sample of 60,000 adults who consumed foods rich in the carotenoid shows that the risk of lung cancer is 27 % lower.
6. Remove traces of water
Besides the health benefits listed above, there are some other reasons why you should not throw away orange peel. It has many household uses. If you have metal containers in your house, they probably have water traces. You can easily remove traces by rubbing the item with an orange peel. Due to the oils orange peel contains, water stains will be easily removed and you will have a shiny new metal container.
7. A great way to give wood a new shine
If you need to shine wood furniture, no need to buy expensive chemical products. The white side of the orange peel is a great way to give wood a good look. Simple rub the furniture and you will see the effects immediately.
8. Orange peels make great fabric softener
For this you have to have a good amount of orange peels. Bring them to the boil and use the remaining water as a fabric softener. You clothes will have a great smell, if you add the mixture in the washing machine, in the special compartment. And that is not all: once boiled, the peels can be put in a blender until they form a powder which can be used as a body scrub or, combined with other ingredients, such as honey or yogurt, it can result in an efficient facial mask.
9. Air freshener
If orange peel is good enough to make your clothes smell great, then it also makes a nice air freshener with it delicious flavor. There are two ways in which you can use orange peels to make your home smell great. First of all, simple leave orange peel around the house to dry and it will release its amazing smell. After a while, when the peels dry, you can still use them: place them in the blender and mix until you get a fine powder. Put the powder in little fabric bags and leave them around the house, in cabinets, in your closet etc. The same little bags can be placed in your shows and they will smell great the next morning.
10. Make and orange candle
A great and fun craft you can make all year round, especially when you are feeling romantic. You will need and orange, a knife and any type of oil, vegetable, olive, canola. Cut the orange in half and remove the middle portion of the orange using a sharp knife. Make sure you do not remove the center stem. Fill the half of the orange with any type of oil to just below the center stem. Light the center stem.
Pay attention: in order to take advantage of all the amazing benefits of orange peel, make sure you get organic oranges that were not sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals. Before using oranges, wash them thoroughly with cold water.
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