Many people always peel fruits and vegetables, believing that the peels contain too much pesticide residue, so they are accustomed to peeling them before consumption. However, some believe that the nutrients are all in the peels, so they eat them directly without peeling. So, should we peel them or not? Let's find out together!
Do not eat the peels of the following fruits and vegetables, which are said to be toxic:
Sweet potato skin
Sweet potato skin contains a lot of alkali, and excessive consumption can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. The skin of sweet potatoes with brown and black-brown spots is infected with "black spot disease," which can produce "ipomeamarone" and "ipomeamarol," which can damage the liver and cause poisoning when entering the body. In mild cases of poisoning, symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, it can lead to high fever, headache, shortness of breath, convulsions, vomiting blood, coma, and even death.
Potato skin
It is well-known that sprouted potatoes are poisonous, but the "glycoalkaloids" in potato skin can also cause poisoning if they accumulate in the body to a certain level. Because the poisoning caused is chronic and the symptoms are not obvious, it is often overlooked. In addition, braised beef with potatoes should be eaten less, as the two foods require different concentrations of stomach acid for digestion, which prolongs the time food stays in the stomach and extends the time for gastrointestinal digestion and absorption, thus causing discomfort.
Persimmon skin
In unripe persimmons, tannic acid is mainly found in the flesh, but after ripening, it concentrates in the skin. When tannic acid enters the body, it reacts with the protein in food under the action of stomach acid to form precipitates—persimmon stones, which can cause various diseases.
Ginkgo skin
Ginkgo skin contains ginkgolic acid, hydrogenated ginkgolic acid, hydrogenated ginkgoic acid, and ginkgol, etc. Human consumption can damage the central nervous system and, in severe cases, cause poisoning.
Water chestnut skin
Water chestnuts grow in paddy fields, where parasites in the water can attach to the skin. Moreover, the skin absorbs harmful biological waste and chemicals from the water, so eating water chestnuts with the skin on may lead to infection.
Conversely, correctly eating the peels of the following fruits and vegetables can be beneficial to your health:
1. Grape skin lowers blood lipids:
Grape skin contains more resveratrol than the flesh and seeds of grapes, and has effects such as lowering blood lipids, preventing thrombosis, preventing arteriosclerosis, and enhancing immunity. The flavonoids in purple grape skin, in particular, also have the effect of lowering blood pressure. Grape skin is also rich in fiber, pectin, and iron.
2. Apple skin is antioxidant:
Apple skin is rich in dietary fiber, which aids digestion. Almost half of the vitamin C in apples is found right under the skin. Studies have shown that apple skin has stronger antioxidant properties than the flesh, and even higher than many other fruits and vegetables.
3. Pear skin clears the heart and moistens the lungs:
Pear skin is a traditional Chinese medicine with high medicinal value that can clear the heart, moisten the lungs, reduce internal heat, and promote fluid production. Washing and chopping the pear skin, then stewing it with rock sugar and water can help treat coughs.
4. Watermelon skin relieves summer heat:
Watermelon skin is rich in sugars, minerals, and vitamins, and has effects such as clearing summer heat, purging fire, relieving vexation, and lowering blood pressure.
5. Orange skin stimulates appetite and resolves phlegm:
Orange peel is rich in various nutrients such as vitamin C, carotene, and protein, and can be used to make many delicious dishes. Orange peel congee is fragrant and palatable, and can also treat chest and abdominal bloating or excessive phlegm and cough. Lemon peel has similar effects.
6. Winter melon skin promotes urination and reduces swelling:
Winter melon skin not only contains a variety of vitamins and minerals but also various volatile components. It can promote urination and reduce swelling and is especially beneficial for diabetics. Therefore, it is best to cook winter melon soup with the skin on.
7. Tomato skin prevents cancer:
Lycopene is the strongest natural antioxidant discovered to date, which can prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases, improve immunity, and prevent cancer. It is most abundant in the tomato skin. In addition, tomato skin also helps maintain intestinal health.
8. Eggplant skin protects the cardiovascular system:
Eggplant is a great food therapy for patients with cardiovascular diseases, but most of its nutrients are hidden in the skin. Peeling the eggplant not only reduces its health value, but the iron in it will also oxidize when exposed to air, turning black and affecting the body's absorption of iron.