Why You Shouldn't Throw Out Lemon Peel

November 07, 2015

Lemon peels contain a spectrum of vitamins, minerals and fiber that can give your menu a nutritional boost, although you would have to consuming large amounts of peel to glean significant nutritional benefits. People tend to think of lemon juice, but lemon peel can be just as effective as it has some enzymes that help us live a healthier life.

Reduces Cholesterol

These are also helpful in decreasing the cholesterol levels in the body which results in maintaining good health of our hearts. This is due to the presence of polyphenol flavonoids in lemon peels.

Fight Cancer

We already mentioned that two of the nutrients in lemon peel are limonene and salvestrol Q40 and these two components both fight cancerous cells. In addition, the flavonoids that can be found in the peel can help counter cancerous cell division. Because of that, eating lemon peel is considered a preventive action against several types of cancers such as skin, colon and breast.

Make a foot soak

Boil citrus rinds for several minutes. Allow to cool completely and strain. Add ¼ cup cow or almond milk, 2 tablespoons of cold pressed olive oil and a couple of drops of lemon essential oil. Soak feet for about 20 minutes and then pat dry to moisturize and soften feet.

Maintains Oral Health & Hygiene

Lemon peels are also great for oral health and hygiene. Vitamin C deficiency results in teeth related problems like bleeding gums, scurvy and gingivitis. Lemon peels are rich in citric acid which helps in covering up for the deficiency of vitamin C and helps in fighting these known teeth and gum related problems.

Fight Skin Related Conditions

Lemon peels help in preventing and fighting skin problems such as wrinkles, acne, pigmentation and dark spots. The free radicals play a very important role in this process. These are also rich in antioxidants which tend to detoxify the skin to a very great extent.

Improves Bone Health

Lemon peels help in improving bone health. It contains a high amount of calcium and vitamin C, which help in maintaining and improving the health of bones. Lemon peel also helps in preventing bone related diseases likes osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory polyarthritis.

Make a sugar scrub

Mix 1/2 a cup of sugar with finely chopped lemon peel and enough olive oil to make a paste. Wet your body in the shower, turn off the water, and massage the sugar mix all over your skin. Rinse off and bask in your smooth skin.

Boost Metabolism and Reduce Weight

One of the elements in lemon peel is pectin which has been shown to help in weight loss. This substance has some properties that will convert it into a jelly which prevents your body from absorbing excessive quantities of sugar, helping maintain your weight.

How to Eat a Lemon Peel

There are a couple different ways you can prepare your lemon peels.

Place your lemons in the freezer for a couple of hours. Then take them out and grate them. You can sprinkle the grated lemon peel on your meals or in your drinks.

Grate the outside of your lemon (without freezing). Sprinkle the lemon peel pieces on your meals or in your drinks or you could just bite right into one.

Grated lemon peels make a great addition to salads and teas. They add amazing flavor to any meal.

Uses of Lemon Peel

Keep insects out

Add some lemon peels along windowsills, on thresholds and near any cracks or holes where ants or pests may be entering. Many pests abhor the acid in lemon, so this would work great, you should try it.

Use on your skin

Lemon peels can be very lightly rubbed on your face for a nice skin tonic, then rinse with lukewarm water. (And be careful around your eyes.)

Keep brown sugar soft

Also adding some lemon peel (with traces of pulp and pith removed) to your brown sugar can help keep it moist and easy to use.

Firelighters

Bake discarded lemon peels until they darken. These create natural, fragrant firelighters.

Whitener and Stronger Nails

Whiten and strengthen fingernails by rubbing with a lemon wedge every night before bed time.

Clean a stainless sink

Use the same method described to polish chrome, applied to any stainless sink.

Freshen your Fridge

Place a lemon peel inside your fridge to absorb smells and bring a bright citrus scent. This works great because lemon peel has amazing absorption power.

Lemon Zest

Lemon zest is a great addition in both sweet and savory dishes. Zest some of your peel on your juice, salad or any dish.