Don’t toss those peels just yet — watermelon removes toxins, pineapple fights inflammation

▲ Many items considered food waste are actually nutrient-rich. (Photo / from the internet)

Reporter Xiao Wanning / Comprehensive report

According to a recent report by Dailymail, Sarah Schenker, a leading UK nutritionist, said that many vegetable and fruit peels actually contain more nutrients than the flesh itself. They are rich in high concentrations of protective compounds like antioxidants and dietary fiber. Want to know which peels offer what nutrients and how to cook them? Keep reading below.

Banana
Banana peels contain serotonin, which can help fight depression — this is something many people already know. But experiments have also shown that they are rich in lutein, which protects the eyes from UV damage and helps slow the onset of cataracts.
Preparation method: First, remove the top and bottom ends of the banana peel, soak it for several days to soften. Then, boil it in hot water to make a pulp, which can be added to cakes.

Watermelon
The white area between the green outer skin and the pink flesh of the watermelon rind is rich in citrulline, a key nutrient that promotes blood circulation and also plays an important role in detoxifying the body.
Preparation method: Peel off the green outer layer, blend it in a juicer, and you can mix in plenty of frozen watermelon flesh to make a refreshing smoothie.

Lemon
Lemon peels are packed with fiber — throwing them away is such a waste. Plus, lemon peels contain more antioxidants than the fruit’s flesh, including super-flavonoid antioxidants that can significantly lower cholesterol, making them a fantastic food.
Preparation method: You can slice off the lemon peel, freeze it in water as ice cubes, and use them instead of regular ice cubes.

Pineapple
While the spiky, hard outer skin of the pineapple is inedible, many people also discard the tough pineapple core. But the core is loaded with vitamin C and bromelain, an enzyme that can reduce inflammation. Experiments have shown that patients who’ve undergone oral, nasal, or foot surgeries experienced reduced inflammation after eating it.
Preparation method: Slice it thinly and bake it in the oven until dried.