Some vegetables and fruits can be eaten with their peels, which are rich in nutrients, but others may cause discomfort and must never be eaten, such as the following few:
Persimmon Peel: Harms the Stomach
The peel of unripe persimmons contains tannic acid, which is harmful to the stomach and intestines—this acid is mainly found in the persimmon flesh. However, when the persimmon ripens, the tannic acid becomes concentrated in the peel.
In the stomach acid, tannic acid reacts with the protein in food to form a precipitate—known as a persimmon stone—which can cause discomfort in the upper abdomen, bloating, and loss of appetite. At the same time, it is also a reminder not to eat persimmons on an empty stomach.
Ginkgo Peel: Harms the Nerves
The ginkgo peel contains toxic substances such as "ginkgolic acid," "ginkgotoxin," and "ginkgol." When these toxins enter the human body, they can damage the central nervous system and cause poisoning.
Sweet Potato Peel: Harms the Liver
Sweet potatoes, which grow underground for long periods, have their peels in direct contact with the soil. As a result, many harmful substances are absorbed into the sweet potato peel. Additionally, the peel contains a relatively high amount of alkali, and consuming too much can cause stomach discomfort.
Potato Peel: Chronic Poisoning
The most toxic substance in potato peel is glycoalkaloid. If ingested, it can cause food poisoning. Because it is a chronic poisoning, the initial symptoms may be unnoticeable or have no signs, often failing to draw people's attention. However, long-term consumption is extremely harmful to the body.