Table of contents:
- Benefits of fruits and vegetables
- Parts of fruit and vegetables that can be consumed
- 1. Apple skin
- 2. Citrus rind
- 3. Beet leaves
- 4. Watermelon skin
- 5. Radish leaves
- 6. Potato skins
- 7. Pumpkin seeds
- 8. Spinach stalks
- 9. Broccoli stems
Fruits and vegetables are good sources of nutrients and are important for the body. Maybe you only know that the flesh of the fruit contains nutrients and you can eat it. Likewise with vegetables. Even though you can consume the stems, roots, seeds, or skin and it turns out to be beneficial for the health of the body. Read the following review about the parts of fruits and vegetables that are rich in nutrients and it turns out that you can eat.
Benefits of fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables have no doubt about their properties for the body. Therefore, fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy life. Fruits and vegetables can also be used as a basis for making medicines that ward off various diseases, as well as providing water to keep the body hydrated.
Parts of fruit and vegetables that can be consumed
The parts of fruit and vegetables such as fruit peels, vegetable stalks, or seeds that you often throw away have a myriad of benefits if you consume them. Here is a list of parts of fruits and vegetables that turn out to be good for health.
1. Apple skin
When you were a child, your parents probably used to serve apples that were peeled off as a snack. This is done because the skin is often inedible because it is rather hard and difficult to crumble when chewed.
However, you need to know that apple skin contains quercetin, which is an antioxidant that maintains healthy lungs and brain. In addition, apples are also eaten with the skin and contain more fiber and vitamins than eating only apples that have already been cleaned.
If you don't like the hard texture, you can enjoy the apple fruit as well as the skin by making the juice. It will be easier and the taste will still be delicious. However, make sure the fruit has been thoroughly washed.
2. Citrus rind
There are many types of citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, limes, and many more. Often times you throw away the skin because it is deemed unfit for eating. However, reported by the Hufftington Post, a study conducted in 2004 showed that citrus fruit peels can lower cholesterol more effectively than some drugs prescribed by doctors.
Polmoxylated flavone compounds are useful for preventing heart disease and inflammation in the body. It tastes bitter if you eat it directly, so you can process it first. To do this, soak the orange peel in water, cut it as desired, and mix it in the food menu that you are going to make.
3. Beet leaves
Maybe only a few people know about beets. This fruit is a type of tuber plant that resembles a potato which is reddish purple in color. Usually people only eat the root part. However, the leaves on this plant can also be consumed.
The leaves contain various main fibers, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin K. You can process them by sautéing them, they taste almost the same as kale.
4. Watermelon skin
Watermelon is often served as fruit ice or salad. The fruit contains a lot of water so it is suitable for consumption during hot weather. The content of an amino acid called L-citruline can improve muscle performance and reduce muscle soreness.
In addition, citruline also plays a role in removing nitrogen in the blood. Apparently, the amino acid content is not only in the fruit, watermelon skin also contains the same nutrients.
5. Radish leaves
Just like beet leaves, radish leaves can also be consumed by sautéing. These leaves contain lots of vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, potassium, and various sources of fiber needed by the body. So, from now on, it is better to consume these two parts along with the leaves and roots to get greater benefits for the health of the body.
6. Potato skins
Have you ever noticed that most restaurants serve potato dishes that have not been cleaned? Apparently, this is done so that the content of vitamin B, vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium, and other nutrients is not wasted. From now on you can process a variety of dishes from potatoes without cleaning the skin. However, make sure you wash them thoroughly.
7. Pumpkin seeds
When you cut a pumpkin, it has a lot of seeds in it like a melon. Apart from the fruit, pumpkin seeds can also be consumed. Pumpkin seeds contain magnesium, iron, protein and phytosterols which can reduce bad cholesterol levels and prevent various diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis and headaches.
8. Spinach stalks
Often times spinach is made a vegetable and most of the stems are removed. You need to know, spinach stalks contain more fiber than the leaves and the fiber content is the same. For that, do not set aside all parts of the spinach stalk when used as a vegetable.
9. Broccoli stems
This green vegetable is often recommended for consumption because of the properties of broccoli which are good for health. Most broccoli creations only use the flower head. Even though the stem also contains a lot of vitamins and nutrients which is a pity to miss. Although it is a little tough, you can cut it into pieces, so that they are easy to eat and work with the flower heads.
It is important to ensure that you meet your daily nutritional needs with fruits and vegetables. However, whatever fruits and vegetables will be nutritious for the body if processed and washed properly. Consult your doctor first if you have certain conditions or diseases before eating vegetables or fruits that are feared will worsen your health.
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