6 Fruit Leftovers That Have Hidden Nutrients
Wasting food is bad for the environment, so try to make as much use of it as possible. Many of us throw fruit leftovers away without realizing that some of them are highly nutritious.
5-Minute Crafts will show you what fruit leftovers are edible and healthy.
1. Strawberry leaves
Many people throw the leaves from strawberries out, but they have 5 times more antioxidants than the fruit itself. They are also a very good source of iron, antioxidants, and vitamins C and K. Instead of throwing the leaves out, you can make flavored water or include them in smoothies.
2. Watermelon rinds and seeds
Watermelon rinds contain a lot of nutrients, such as vitamin C, A, B6, potassium, and zinc. They can be eaten raw or pickled. Try cutting the fruit skin into cubes and boiling them with apple cider vinegar, water, salt, ginger, sugar, and spices. Then put the rinds in jars. Also, the seeds of the watermelon are healthy to eat, as they contain a lot of magnesium, iron, fatty acids, and zinc.
3. Pineapple cores and peels
Never throw away a pineapple’s core and peel. You can make many things from these, such as tepache, a fermented Mexican drink that can reduce the risk of suffering from gastrointestinal diseases. The center has plenty of fiber and bromelain that are good for digestion, osteoarthritis, and many other things.
4. Citrus peels
Citrus peels can be used in many recipes, such as roasted veggies and meat dishes. Or you can boil the zest and make them candied. They are also packed with vitamin C, which improves the immune system; calcium, which is good for the bones; and antioxidant flavonoids. Even small amounts of the peel have a high nutritional value.
5. Kiwi skins
It has a harsh taste, but kiwi skin is highly nutritious. The peels have many more antioxidants and antibacterial and anticancer elements than the flesh itself. Some people may not want to try the skin, but when blended into a smoothie, you won’t even know it’s there.
6. Banana peels
Some people don’t know that banana peels are an edible, highly nutritious snack that contains a lot of vitamin B6, B12, potassium, and magnesium. The skin also has different bioactive compounds, like polyphenols as well as carotenoids. Before eating a banana peel, wash it well because there may be a pesticide on it that was previously sprayed on. They can be eaten raw, cooked, or blended with other fruits.