Don't Toss Those Veggie Peels: Discover Their Surprising Benefits

Have you heard of potato peel chips? Well, they're just the start of some incredible food insights.

In the U.S., chips made from potato, sweet potato, and beet peels are sold, and we're all familiar with citrus peels. What makes manufacturers so excited about them? Often the peel contains the full range of vitamins and minerals and is considered much healthier than the fruit itself. While there are certainly more than we'll cover here, this is a good start to get familiar with this interesting concept:

Let's begin with the vegetable we're most likely to peel: the cucumber.

If you've been peeling cucumbers, think again. Cucumbers are rich in dietary fiber, which aids in maintaining regular bowel movements, contains plenty of fluids, and is packed with antioxidants such as phytochemicals, flavonoids, lignans, and triterpenes, which help prevent heart diseases, vascular diseases, inflammation, and even cancer.

The second (surprisingly cited) vegetable: potato peels

While many claim potatoes are empty carbs we should avoid, the peels hold an impressive amount of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, dietary fiber, zinc, magnesium, and more.

Potato peels even have iron and folic acid, Vitamin A and K, which are crucial for absorption in the body (avoid if the peel is green).

The third vegetable: carrots

Like its predecessors, carrots are an 'energy bomb' full of powerful antioxidants like Vitamin A. It's good to include carrots in your diet, consuming at least one cup daily to obtain this crucial substance for eye health and immune system support. Carrots also contain compounds that make them effective against diseases like Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, cancer, vascular and heart diseases, and nerve diseases.

The fourth vegetable: eggplant

Yes, yes, you'll be wise not to peel your eggplant entirely when cooking it. Research shows that eggplant peels are packed with potent antioxidants called anthocyanins and another compound, nasunin, that protects the body from free radicals and prevents cancer.

The fifth vegetable: red beets

Beet peels, just like the beets themselves, are filled with good stuff like vitamins, minerals, iron, and more.

Beet peels can help cleanse the blood, balance high blood pressure, and address severe anemia.

Important Note: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.