Oranges are one of the most popular and most commonly grown fruit in the world, but very

few
consume the peel, which is arguably the healthiest part of the whole fruit. According to Purdue
University Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, the fruits flesh isnt the only part with
health benefits. Many of us normally throw out the peels when it comes to oranges-whether
were making fresh orange juice, snacking on whole oranges or making a yummy citrus salsa.
But this one is a big mistake as many of the highly nutritious compounds of oranges are found in
the peels. Orange peels are the thick finely-textured and orange coloured skin of oranges. Since
ancient times, they have been valued for their curative properties. Orange peels are rich in
flavonoids, like hesperidin and polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), and other phytochemicals, which
contribute many of their health benefits. Grated orange peel, also called orange zest, is added to
foods for flavoring and also offers many nutrients, cleaning properties and potential medical
uses.
Oranges are a goldmine of nutrients. One medium orange contains over 60 flavonoids and 170
different phytonutrients. They are good for your skin, your system and your home too. Orange
peel also contains considerable amounts of calcium, copper, copper, magnesium, vitamin A,
folate and other B vitamins and dietary fiber.
They have an intense orange and bitter flavor, but the latter is often a clue that a food is healthy;
the bitter taste is the result of many flavonoids that orange peel contain. Raw orange peel has 1.5
g of protein and is a source of potassium, riboflavin and vitamin A. Oranges are considered a
source of calcium, which contributes to bone and tooth health. According to Purdue University
Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, 100 g of edible orange fruit contains 40 mg of calcium,
while the same amount of orange peel has 161 mg of calcium.
Orange peels contain beta-carotene, a pigment in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Betacarotene is converted to vitamin A in your body, which is beneficial for your immune system, as
well as vision health. The University of Maryland Medical Center says beta-carotene is also an
antioxidant, which helps protect your body from free radicals that can cause cell damage.
The outer layer of an orange peel contains orange oil. This essential oil can be used in soaps and
water-less hand cleaners. The oil is a solvent, so it can effectively clean your skin without the use
of hazardous chemicals. Orange oil is also used as a scent in perfumes and cleaning products.
Compounds in orange peels and other citrus peel may prevent histamine release (histamines are
the chemicals that cause allergic reactions), making them potentially anti-allergic food. The peels
may also help to cleanse your lungs, helping you to expel phlegm, and the high levels of vitamin
C are beneficial of your immune system, which may help you fight off respiratory illnesses like
colds and flu. In addition, citrus peel extract helps suppress inflammation similar to the antiinflammatory drug indomethacin. The peel may offer a range of additional health benefits as
well, including: improve digestion and speed metabolism, improve oral health, support healthy
weight loss, improve skin appearance and can be used as a cure for open wounds.

Orange peels (as well as the underlying white pulp or pith) are rich in hesperidin, a flavonoid
thats been shown to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol in animal studies. It also has antiinflammatory properties. In middle aged, overweight men, consuming hesperidin in oranges was
found to significantly lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after four weeks. The
polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) in orange peels have also been shown to lower cholesterol
more effectively than prescription drugs, without the side effects.
Orange peel contains nobiletin, a type of polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs), compounds
which are found to exert positive effect on the heart. These compounds lower your risk of
heart disease and inflammation in addition to lowering the blood cholesterol levels (LDL
Low Density Lipoprotein) in the body.
The dried outer peel of the bitter orange has been used in medicine. According to the University
of Michigan Health System, simmering 1 to 2 g of dried peel in 3 cups of water to make a tea
might help relieve indigestion and heartburn. Orange peel has also been used to treat insomnia
and as a laxative. Be sure to ask your doctor before using orange peel for any medicine purposes.
Diabetic patients wound healing is slower than the healthy individuals. Three citrus peel extracts;
Lemon (Citrus limon), Grapes fruits (Citrus paradise) and Orange (Citrus sinensis) promote
wound healing in experimental animals. This study investigated the effect of oral treatment with
citrus peel extracts on wound repair of the skin of diabetic rats. The extracts were estimated for
vitamin C and total carotenoid contents prior to animal study. Diabetes mellitus was induced in
rats by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ, 75 mg kg(-1) b.wt.). One
week after diabetes induction, full thickness excision wounds were made in hyperglycemic rats
and were divided groups, each containing 6 rats. The different test group animals were treated
with different citrus peel extract orally at the dose of 400 mg kg(-1) body weight daily for 12
days. The blood glucose, body weight and rate of wound closure of each rat were measured
every 3rd day during the experimental period. At the end of experiment, granular tissues of
wounds were removed and estimated for hydroxylproline and total protein content. The results
showed significant reduction in blood glucose and time to wound closure. Tissue growth and
collagen synthesis were significantly higher as determined by total protein and hydroxyl proline
content. From our experimental data, we propose that oral administration of citrus peel extracts
has a therapeutic potential in the treatment of chronic wounds in diabetes.