13 Orange Peel Health Benefits and Uses

1. Rich Source of Nutrients

Orange peels are low-calorie and nutrient-dense, offering endless health benefits. They are high in vitamin C and contain a variety of other vitamins and minerals. The top vitamin content of orange peel includes vitamins C, A, manganese, calcium, and copper. Many of the minerals found in orange peels are beneficial to human health.

Vitamin C helps in improving the immune system, and skin and has antioxidant effects. Vitamin A helps maintain the health of the eyes, boosting immunity, and maintaining skin cells. Manganese is essential in the formation of bones, regulation of metabolism, and an antioxidant. Combined with these vitamins and minerals, orange peels are very beneficial when included in your diet.

2. Antioxidant Properties

Orange peels are packed with antioxidants, including polyphenols (like flavonoids and flavones) and a range of phytochemicals. The essential oils present in orange peel are also known to have potent antioxidant properties.

Antioxidant capacity is high in the fresh orange peel during the early stages of their growth while a decrease in antioxidant constituents is observed in mature and over-mature stages. Antioxidants are responsible for protecting your cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, leading to chronic diseases and aging. Antioxidant helps to control these free radicals and decrease the destructive effects of oxidation on the body.

3. Beauty and Skincare

Because orange peel contains citric acid, which is a natural exfoliating ingredient, you can use orange peel to make a face mask that will brighten and deeply cleanse your skin. However, there are also many other skin-loving ingredients in orange peel, such as vitamin C, antioxidants, and beta-carotene.

The orange peel itself is a wonderful agent to unclog blocked skin pores with its acidic properties. The peel also can help protect skin from sun damage or pollution buildup. Even more, it is gentle enough so that most of us can safely use the peels as an exfoliator and even consume them for internal benefits.

4. Digestive Aid

Orange peels help promote digestion. The dietary fibers from the fruit appear to be very useful in improving digestive functions. It also stimulates digestive juices that facilitate the efficient absorption of nutrients and balance the pH levels in the intestines. This helps your body to derive the best out of the foods you take. Orange peels can therefore be used in the diet to improve and boost the digestive system’s health and functioning.

5. Weight Management

Orange peel has potential weight management benefits that stem from the polyphenols, flavonoids, and pectin in its composition which helps to regulate metabolism, reduce fat accumulation, and promote fat burning. It is also considered to have prebiotic properties and support gut health which are effective for weight management.

Orange peel tea is making the weight management journey more palatable for health-seekers by enriching their nourishment with orange peel nutrients. The anti-adipogenic effects of orange peel work as fat blockers. Orange peels in your diet can therefore be of help when it comes to weight loss and general health.

6. Immune System Support

Orange peel has an antiseptic effect that helps in fighting off infectious diseases and boosts the immune system. Pectin contained in orange peel binds and excretes harmful heavy metals from the body, like strontium, lead, cadmium, and aluminum.

The aroma calms the nerves, but it also has an invigorating effect. It can help restore the heart rhythm, stimulate appetite, and has diuretic, sialagogue, and antimicrobial effects. The plentiful beneficial substances contained in the peel combined with vitamins and sugars make the peel one of the most health-restoring products. 

7. Oral Health

The strength of vitamin C makes orange peels effective for your dental health. To be more specific, there are several benefits of vitamin C found in oral care. It’s necessary for the creation of collagen. Collagen is a vital compound that keeps your gums strong.

Vitamin C deficiency can cause bleeding sore gums and gingivitis. Vitamin C also aids in fighting off viruses and bacteria. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and, therefore, helps keep the body from producing a response to oral bacteria. Dental infections are fought off by vitamin C. Due to its antioxidant properties, it keeps teeth and bones healthy.

8. Improve Heart Health

Orange peels contain hesperidin, a flavanone that has great effects on human health. Science has proven that hesperidin has amazing benefits for our hearts by lowering blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure. In a small cup of orange peel, you can get about 250 milligrams of hesperidin.

Hesperidin can help lower LDL-cholesterol, serum, and hepatic cholesterol when consumed regularly. In addition, orange peels have pectin, a useful soluble fiber that can moderate the sugar level in your blood. Including orange peels in your diet can naturally enhance cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of heart-related issues.

9. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The peel of oranges particularly contains a very strong anti-inflammatory component, this is because of the flavonoid, polyphenol, and other bioactive compound contents. The anti-inflammatory properties of the flavonoids or polyphenols in orange peel can also help to treat many other inflammatory diseases and autoimmune conditions and reduce the symptoms of inflammation.

This can help in the management of symptoms of chronic inflammatory disease including arthritis and cardiovascular diseases. The addition of orange peels to your diet will help you get the natural anti-inflammatory properties hence reducing the risks of inflammation related diseases.

10. Boost Eye Health

Orange peels also contain natural compounds like vitamin A and antioxidants that can help support and improve eye health. More specifically, orange peel extracts reduce visual impairments, eye strain, and eye fatigue.

Vitamin A is important in maintaining good vision and helps to treat conditions like night blindness and macular degeneration that affect the elderly. The compounds such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin that are found in the orange peels work to shield the eyes from such stress and harm from these radicals. These compounds block blue light which is considered dangerous to human health and can cause cataracts among other eye ailments.

11. Boost Hair Growth

Orange peel powder can be used to give your hair a lovely shine. It also makes your hair grow faster. It is rich in antioxidants, which is why it is useful for stimulating hair growth.

Natural oils present in orange peel can help with moisturizing the scalp and therefore minimize dandruff and provide a better environment for the hair to grow. The compounds present in the orange peels especially the flavonoids and other antioxidants help in protecting the hair follicles from the effects of free radicals hence avoiding hair damage and loss. Oranges are great for the hair as well; making hair masks or conditioners with orange peel powder will make your hair shinier, and smoother, and will also help to grow new hair.

12. Cancer Preventive Properties

Orange peels are rich in flavonoids, limonene, and polyphenol which have been proven to exhibit anticancer properties. These compounds also have strong antioxidant activity which helps in the elimination of free radicals and therefore decrease oxidant stress which plays an important role in the onset of cancer.

Among all those antioxidants, limonene seems to have the most potential in fighting against cancer and has been proven to slow down the growth of cancer cells and even trigger apoptosis in skin, breast and colon cancer.

13. Lung Health Benefits

Orange peels can significantly benefit lung health due to their high content of vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds.  These chemicals can help reduce inflammation and relieve irritation and congestion in the airways. As an antispasmodic, orange peel compound can help stabilize the muscles in the respiratory system, quiet a cough, and ease bronchial spasms. It can also help reduce cough frequency and provide temporary relief.

Orange peel tea boosts lung health, reducing phlegm and relieving cough symptoms. Moreover, the flavored tea can help mask the strong and bitter aromas often associated with lung infections and can help promote respiratory well-being.

Nutritional Content of Orange Peels

 Here’s a detailed look at their nutritional content per 100 grams:

• Calories: 97 kcal
• Protein: 1.5 grams
• Fat: 0.2 grams
• Carbohydrates: 25 grams
• Sugars: 11 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 10.6 grams
• Vitamin C: 136 mg 
• Vitamin A: 300-400 IU 
• Calcium: 161 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.176 mg
• Flavonoids:  150-250 mg
• Potassium: 212 mg
• Magnesium: 22 mg 

1. Vitamin C

Orange peels are a great source of Vitamin C, with about 136 mg per 100 grams. This vitamin plays a major role in the improvement of the immune system as well as skin health. Vitamin C helps in the production of collagen which is used to maintain skin elasticity and prevent wrinkles.

It also protects the skin from the effects of free radicals that cause skin aging. Also, Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron which is vital in the immune system of the body. Therefore, orange peel consumption can benefit you by having a strong immune system and glowing skin. It also improves the absorption of iron, which is important for maintaining a healthy immune system and overall energy levels.

2. Potassium

Orange peels contain about 212 mg of potassium per 100 grams. Potassium is important for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, supporting proper muscle and nerve function, and balancing fluids in the body. It helps to regulate fluids in the body and the proper functioning of muscles and nerves hence important in physical performance and the prevention of cramps. 

Thus, potassium facilitates the regulation of blood pressure levels and supports cardiovascular health. Orange peels should be incorporated into the diet as they are rich sources of potassium that help to improve the health of the heart as well as the muscles. By adding orange peels to your diet, you can increase your potassium intake, benefiting from its positive effects on cardiovascular health and muscle function. This makes orange peels not only a flavorful addition to your meals but also a nutritious boost for your overall well-being.

3. Flavonoids

Flavonoids are present in large quantities in orange peels. 100 grams of orange peels contains 150-250 mg. Flavonoids are potent antioxidants, which have a significant role in the prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation. They help to prevent the effects of free radicals that are known to cause diseases and aging.

In addition to their antioxidant properties, flavonoids in orange peels support cardiovascular health by improving blood vessel function and reducing blood pressure. They also have anti-inflammatory effects that can benefit overall well-being and potentially reduce the risk of chronic conditions. Including orange peels in your diet can enhance your intake of these beneficial compounds, contributing to a healthier heart and a more resilient body.

4. Vitamin A

Vitamin A present in Orange peels is about 300 IU/100g. Vitamin A is involved in many important processes in the human body including the health of the eyes, immune system, and cell growth. It is essential for the proper functioning of the skin and mucous membranes and their maintenance in good condition.

Besides its function in vision and the immune system, Vitamin A plays an antioxidant role in protecting cells from damage by free radicals. This can help in preventing some of the chronic diseases and enhance the general health of individuals. Incorporating orange peels into your diet will mean that you will be consuming Vitamin A which can protect and repair the body’s tissues, organs, skin, and immune system, as well as improve vision.

Overall, the peel of an orange contains over 40% of the recommended daily dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestion. It also contains a significant amount of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and benefits the skin. Furthermore, the peels are rich in vitamin A, calcium, and other essential nutrients, making them a nutritious choice.

Uses of Orange Peels

Orange peels are wildly versatile and resourceful. With different concentrations of orange essential oil, orange zest, and powdered peels, you've got yourself a multi-purpose arsenal. Some of the ways orange peels can be utilized are as follows:

Flavoring: Orange peels add a unique and fresh taste to a variety of foods such as baked goods, sauces, salad dressings, and marinades. Orange peels can be also added to teas, and syrups to enhance their flavor.

Hair care: The d-limonene found in orange peels can not only encourage hair growth but also aid in preventing the loss of hair.

Cleaner: Orange peels are a very effective cleaning agent. The orange peels will add a fresh, citrus scent to your cleaner and work as a degreaser.

Skin Care: Creating a face mask made from orange peels can help to fight against dryness and the vitamin C in the peel helps to brighten the skin.

Breath Freshener: Orange peels can keep your breath smelling fresh and clean. Also, the natural oils present in the peel can be used to treat issues such as bad breath and other oral problems.

Insect Repellent: The natural oils from the will give you a comfortable-smelling cover that would shield you from all mosquitoes and flies. Additionally, the citrus scent is known to have a mood-enhancing nature, creating a win-win situation.