Orange peels: benefits and harms

Among a large number of fruits, most people prefer orange. And this is not surprising. This fruit not only has an exotic taste, but also includes a large composition of nutrients. The peel of the fetus, or, as it is called, the zest, also has multiple medicinal properties.

It's no secret that the zest is widely used both in medicine and in cosmetology. Initially, from school, we were instilled with the knowledge that orange and other types of citrus fruits contain a large amount of vitamin C. But, as it turned out, this is a small fraction of the total content in the fruit. The fetus itself is saturated with beta-keratin, folic acid, flavonoids and so on. The constant consumption of orange and its peels significantly reduces the likelihood of oncological diseases in the gastrointestinal tract and throat. Experts have proved that such a fruit is very useful for cores, especially with the risk of getting a heart attack.

Composition and calorie content

Orange zest has a small amount of calories in its composition, so nutritionists often advise it for use by ladies who are watching their figure. What is the composition of orange peels:

• a group of vitamins B, A, E, C;
• alimentary fiber;
• flavonoids.

The calorie content of orange peel is 97 kcal, among which:

• proteins - 1.5 g;
• fats - 0.3 g;
• carbohydrates - 25 g.

Per 100 g of orange peels, carbohydrates account for about 8–9%, protein - 2–3%, and there are no fats at all.

Mineral group contained in orange peel:

• calcium;
• iron;
• magnesium;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• selenium;
• magnesium;
• zinc;
• copper.

What are orange peels good for?

General benefit

Many have come across this issue repeatedly. Why is orange zest really so useful, and why do doctors recommend it?

1. The skins have a significant amount of citric and pectic acids, phytoncides, which in turn are natural antibiotics of natural origin. Phytoncides destroy all harmful microorganisms. Associated with this is the use of orange peels in the treatment of ulcers and wounds.
2. Due to its ability to remove cholesterol from the human body, the zest of orange is used for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Moreover, experts argue that this fruit is able to increase mood and vitality, and are often advised to use it in food, for example, meat, salads, pastries, tea, etc.
3. With the use of orange peels, all processes in the body will occur much better. Zest is very useful for nausea and heartburn.
4. For the treatment of cough, cold sore throat, asthma, orange peel powder is often used. This mixture dissolves the mucus that has accumulated in the airways. In case of acute respiratory infections (ARVI), it is useful to make inhalation on orange skins. If there is no possibility or time for such a procedure, spread the crusts in the room where the patient is. The skins in this case will serve not only as a natural inhaler, but also as an air freshener.
5. It's no secret that orange peel is rich in essential oils, which, in turn, are considered one of the best anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents.Also, this component of orange has the ability to improve processes in the intestine and regulate the secretion of acids in the gastric juice.
6. Orange peel is useful for unloading the liver.
7. In addition, peel essential oils strengthen the human immune and nervous systems. Doctors advise them for use to people suffering from insomnia, often prone to stress and panic attacks.
8. People who constantly have an orange and its zest in their diet do not have disturbed salt balance and do not suffer from swelling of the body. Peels are also a good way to cleanse the body of toxins and toxic substances.
9. The skins of this fruit are an integral ingredient in cosmetology. Of them make scrubs and masks. After such procedures, the skin becomes silky, and small wrinkles are smoothed. It is very simple to prepare such masks at home. It is enough to add the cream with the highest fat content to the fruit. The entire creamy mass must be applied to the face and décolleté.

For women

The female body is aging faster than the male, so experts advise eating orange zest. It contains antioxidants that inhibit the aging process and have a beneficial effect on the skin condition. To eat peel constantly means to keep your skin soft and supple for a long time. The substances in it also prevent the occurrence of cancer.

In addition to antioxidants, lemon peels are present in orange peels, which are very useful for the female body (they inhibit the development of oncology of the mammary gland and intestines).

For men

Earlier in the article, we talked about the fact that the citrus fruit is rich in vitamin C. For men, it is useful in that it promotes the production of sperm and significantly improves its quality. When planning a child, a man must make an orange and its peel in his daily diet. In order to avoid any genetic changes in sperm, which in the future can adversely affect the health of the child, one or two pieces a day is enough.

During pregnancy

The essential oil, which is contained in the zest of orange, deserves special attention. The aroma of these oils gives the body vitality, improves mood, skillfully copes with stress and neurosis. Do not rush to throw the peel of oranges into the bin, put them on a saucer and leave them indoors. After some time, their fragrance will fill the entire room and protect the pregnant woman from depression and bad thoughts. If a woman in position wants to constantly enjoy the smell of citrus, it is necessary to finely chop the zest and dry it.

It is also very useful for the expectant mother to drink tea from the dried peels of the orange. The recipe for such a healing tea is simple: pour two tablespoons of dried peel with boiling water (about 250-300 ml) and let it brew. After an hour and a half, the broth will be ready to be added to tea and consumed. Sugar in such tea is best replaced with a teaspoon of honey. Such an infusion with honey will be very useful for a future mother and her baby.

Doctors advise future women in labor to eat oranges and their peels. This is due to the fact that they contain a rare vitamin B9. It helps to eliminate the likelihood of impaired development of the unborn child (exceptions can only be in the presence of an allergy to an orange).

When breastfeeding

Mother's milk is the most wholesome food for a newborn baby. Breastfeeding is a process that gives a child the most necessary and important properties (vitamins), it is also a significant saving on special mixtures.

Moms who breastfeed their babies have a very important diet, and experimenting with food is useless. For any questions, it is best to consult a doctor. Oranges were no exception in this matter, such a specific fruit can cause allergies in the newborn. Since the digestive system in the infant is not yet formed, the work of the digestive tract is usually established no earlier than by the half-year of the baby's life.

Recommendations of specialists:

1. If one of the relatives of the young parents suffers from an allergy to citrus fruits, it is best for the nursing mother not to use the zest of the orange. An allergy is a disease that can be transmitted at the genetic level. It is also worth abandoning citrus fruits if the baby has a tendency to diathesis.
2. If your baby is three or more months old and you plan to consume citrus peels, then it is best to check this on a single slice of orange (peeled from a white film). Observe the child for 12 hours, if there are no changes, then you can safely eat both the zest of the orange and the fruit itself. Please note that not only the skin can be affected by an allergic reaction, stool changes are also possible. Such a process can take up to two days. If diarrhea is not observed, then a young mother can continue to eat oranges in small quantities and drink tea with zest. The daily norm is about half the fruit or two teaspoons of dried peels.
3. Experts categorically do not recommend eating orange and its zest daily. Enough 2-3 times a week.

For kids

For children, as well as adults, it is useful to eat oranges and peels, but you need to do this carefully to avoid the development of an allergic reaction to fruit and other citrus fruits. Children from five to seven years are recommended to use no more than one orange or one teaspoon of dried peels per day. Pediatricians advise adding orange and zest to the child’s diet no earlier than 3 years of age.

When losing weight

As you know, oranges and peels are often used for weight loss. Tea, brewed with herbs and orange zest, burns fats with daily use - a large amount of vitamin C contributes to this. Scientists have shown through studies that orange peels have the ability to slow down the process of obesity after losing excess weight.

Orange zest is useful for constipation: it contains polysaccharides that both eliminate and prevent constipation and strengthen the entire digestive system of the body. The proper functioning of the digestive system in itself blocks the deposition of excess fat in the body.

A sharp weight loss can adversely affect a person’s heart. The use of orange peels balances the acidity in the body and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The blood sugar level is also important for the body - the use of orange peels in the form of tea balances this level.

The fruit itself has gained great popularity among girls struggling with excess weight. Firstly, it is available at any time of the year, secondly, its pricing policy also pleasantly surprises, and thirdly, by purchasing an orange, we get useful substances for the body not only with pulp, but also with zest (the so-called minimal waste )

Orange zest can be consumed in many ways. To combat overweight, it is best to brew tea from herbs and peels. For such a decoction, you can use both dried and fresh peels. Dried zest is most often used in two types: finely chopped or ground into powder.

In citrus tea, experts advise adding various spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, honey, etc. Do not forget that you must carefully wash the orange peel before use. If ordinary black tea is not advised to be consumed cold, then such a drink can be consumed and cooled for two hours.

If the diet contains yogurts or smoothies for weight loss, you can safely add the zest of oranges there.

Orange peels in medicine

A fruit like an orange is an indispensable “doctor” in the family. It contains a large number of useful substances that help not only cure many diseases, but also prevent their appearance.

1. How to lower the heat? Slices of orange with peels pour boiling water and leave for 40–45 minutes. Take every 1.5–2 hours. If you drink such a decoction in the morning, then even the highest temperature will slowly begin to decline by sunset.This method is good in that it is suitable for people of any age (except for people who are prone to allergic reactions).
2. The best cure for a hangover is orange peels grated on a fine grater together with pulp, poured with boiling water and infused for 40–45 minutes. It is most correct to strain and consume such a decoction before eating.
3. Another way to cure a hangover is to add freshly squeezed juice with peels and one egg yolk into a glass, mix well and drink immediately after sleep.
4. A woman does not have to run to the pharmacy with a heavy menstrual cycle, it is enough to have a decoction of orange peels and take it throughout the day.
5. Solves problems with constipation orange juice with zest and pulp.

Application in cosmetology

Today, cosmetologists from all countries use orange peels in their production. For example, global manufacturers produce face masks based on orange zest. Such a mask can be made at home. Orange peels should be finely chopped, added to the cottage cheese of the highest fat content, seasoned with olive oil and mixed with a submersible blender. Keep on face for half an hour.

A mask that gives the face a healthy color: 1–1.5 tablespoons lime color must be poured with orange juice with zest, leave for 15-20 minutes. Then add 1 tsp to the broth. honey and lemon juice, 1 tbsp. yogurt of the highest fat content. Beat with a blender (mixer) until the mixture is as homogeneous as possible. Put the finished mask on your face for 30-40 minutes. If you use this mask every day, your complexion will become natural and healthy in a short time.

Mask that cleans the pores of the face: grind oatmeal with flour in a flour, pour the previously prepared decoction of orange peels and beat in the egg yolk. Grind everything to a homogeneous consistency and keep on your face for 30 minutes.

Harm and contraindications

Although the orange is full of nutrients, it has certain contraindications. It can not be eaten by people:

• with a stomach ulcer;
• digestive system problems;
• diagnosed with diabetes mellitus or high blood glucose.

Dentists from around the world have repeatedly argued that excessive use of orange can fundamentally damage tooth enamel. Doctors advise rinsing the mouth thoroughly after each use of citrus and its peels. Also, do not forget about the allergic reaction to the orange, which can be caused by frequent consumption of fruit in food, especially for overweight people.

How to choose an orange for zest

Coming to the market or to the store, everyone wants to choose a good sweet orange. As you know, the most healthy fruits are sweet. There are certain criteria and tips that you must adhere to when choosing citrus fruits.

The orange season usually starts from late November and early December (depending on the region of the country) and lasts until the end of March and early April. When buying fruit in the off-season months, there is a chance to stumble on chemicals that are harmful to health. Most often, the citrus fruit comes to us from Turkey, Egypt, South Africa and Peru. Immediately discard oranges brought from South Africa and Peru, as the crop, due to the remoteness of the region, is harvested in an unripe state and processed with chemicals.

Recommendations for selection:

1. Try the fruit by touch, if it is soft, it means it has begun to deteriorate inside. A very hard orange also does not fit, it will be sour with a little bitterness.
2. Always estimate the weight on the hand, if the fruits are too light - they should not be taken, they have already begun to shrink from the inside.
3. The ripened fruit always has a characteristic pleasant smell, so before buying do not be too lazy to sniff the fruit.
4. The standard color of the orange peel should be either bright orange or orange-yellow (a strongly orange color with characteristic yellow spots indicates that the orange was picked in an immature state and was chopped with chemicals).
5. Do not buy fruits that are labeled.
6. In terms of thickness, it doesn’t matter what the crust will be, but thick-skinned fruits are more protected from chemical processing. If the zest is too thick and bumpy, it is better not to buy such a fruit.
7. The sweetest and most delicious oranges are those that have the so-called "navel" (in place of its ovary).
8. Some argue that the larger the fruit, the better it is in quality. This opinion is erroneous. Such a fruit has a high water content and a small percentage of nutrients.

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude for ourselves that it is better to acquire medium-sized oranges.

How to remove the zest

The zest of an orange is a citrus peel without a white soft part, which is located immediately behind the orange layer. Because of this, the peel is removed very carefully and carefully so as to pick up only the top layer. The following describes how to separate (in "artisanal" conditions) the zest from the pulp. Such a process is quite uncomplicated, as it might seem at first glance.

Fruit preparation

Before eating, orange, like other fruits, must be washed thoroughly. This procedure is especially important with the continued use of orange peels. It is best to rub the fruit with a sponge.

How to remove zest from an orange with a grater

For such manipulation, it is necessary to take a grater with stable edges at the end so that it does not slip on the table. In the future, you should adhere to the recommendations:

1. On the grater, you need to rub only the orange layer (zest), without affecting the white and the pulp of the orange itself.
2. It is necessary to gradually turn the orange and continue the above actions until the orange layer remains at all.

Useful Tips

To obtain a quality and therapeutic product, certain conditions must be observed. For example:

1. To prepare an orange peel without other flavors that may be acquired during the impregnation process, try to buy organic fruits that have not been chemically processed.
2. It is best to buy oranges with a thick and supple skin.
3. In order for the orange peel to be removed much easier, the fruits are first cooled. After this procedure, the crusts are removed very easily.
4. The dish where you plan to add the zest will get a large amount of orange flavor if you use the finest crumbs.
5. If citrus fruits are mainly used for peeling, it is better to store such fruits in the freezer. It is much easier and more convenient to peel off the top layer from frozen fruits.

How to dry an orange peel

1. Wash the fruit thoroughly to get rid of the top layer that processed the orange.
2. Dry the fruit thoroughly to avoid mold on it.
3. Gently, making an incision along the diameter of the orange, remove only the peel.
4. Remove all white fibers.
5. Cut the zest into small pieces, put it in one layer and leave it in a ventilated room or in the fresh air in the shade.

How to store peel

There is a proven way to store orange peels. It is necessary to grate the zest on a fine grater, excluding white fibers, mix with sugar or icing in a proportion of one to two, and send such a mass to the freezer.

Is it possible to eat the peel of an orange

Orange zest can be used in any form:

• smoothie
• salad;
• marmalade, etc.

What can be made from orange peels: recipes

There are many ways and recipes for dishes prepared using orange peels. For example:

• jam;
• Turkish tea
• orange tincture;
• compote;
• candied fruit;
• curd Easter with orange zest, etc.

Candied fruit

For cooking, you need such products:

• 500 g zest;
• 400 ml of water;
• 600 g of sugar;
• 4 tbsp lemon juice;
• 1 star anise star;
• 1 vanilla pod;
• 3 pcs. allspice peas.

Candied fruit:

1. Boil about 3 liters of water.
2. Put the zest of oranges in a pot of boiling water, bring to a boil and boil for 3-4 minutes.
3. In a colander, rinse the crusts under running water.
4. Repeat the cooking process again and remove the crusts, let the water drain.
5. Next, prepare the syrup. Take a three-liter pan, pour in it 400 ml of water and sugar (the volume is indicated above in the list of necessary ingredients), lemon juice, vanilla, star anise, pepper (crushed with a knife).
6. Let the syrup boil for 6-7 minutes, then lay the orange peels in it. Strain the mass in the pan for an hour and a half.
7. Once the mass has cooled at room temperature, remove the pan in the refrigerator for a day.
8. Drain the remaining syrup. Dice the crusts.
9. Lay out the crusts on parchment and dry (naturally or using an oven at 80 ° C, the whole process takes about 6.5-8 hours).

Jam

Required Products:

• 2 oranges;
• ¼ lemon;
• 1 cup of water;
• 2 cups of sugar;
• 1 cup orange juice.

Cooking:

1. Peel the fruit. Squeeze the juice with the pulp.
2. Pour the peel with water and boil for 6 minutes, then drain the water. Then pour water again and boil the skins. Repeat the procedure three times to get rid of the bitter aftertaste.
3. In another pan, mix 1 cup of water with 1 cup of juice, 2 cups of sugar and simmer the syrup on low heat for no longer than 15 minutes.
4. Then add crusts to the boiling composition and pour the juice squeezed from 1/4 lemon.
5. Cook a mass of the order of 35-40 minutes, it should thicken.
6. Pour hot jam into clean jars.

Tincture

What will be needed for cooking:

• 500 ml of alcohol (taken according to the recipe 96%);
• 1 kg of oranges;
• 340 g of sugar;
• 1 liter of water.

Cooking:

1. Place the zest in a glass jar and add alcohol. The composition is insisted for a week, but once every 2-3 days it needs to be mixed.
2. After 7 days, filter the mass and cook the syrup. To do this, take half a liter of warm water and dissolve sugar in it. Then add the remaining 0.5 liters of water.
3. Pour alcohol into syrup again and refrigerate. The composition should stand in a cold place for 4 days, until an oil-like film forms on top.
4. Drain the oranzhello using a tube from below into a clean bottle (the oily film should remain on the walls of the container). The tincture is ready, use it chilled.

Is it possible to give orange peels to rabbits

The basis for breeding rabbits and any other animal is their nutrition. It should be balanced to the maximum and include such beneficial substances as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. As a rule, all this is found in vegetables and fruits. As for citrus fruits, the owner needs to be careful with these fruits, they can cause a serious allergic reaction. Experts advise to refrain from feeding such fruits.

Interesting facts about oranges

1. In California, there is a law prohibiting taking a bath and eating an orange (orange acid can be explosive when mixed with bath foam).
2. Freshly squeezed orange juice helps with heartburn.
3. Orange smell ranks third in the world after vanilla and chocolate.

Photo of orange peels