What are the benefits of orange zest for the human body?

Orange zest is a universal product that is widely used in cooking, everyday life and cosmetology. Having a rich vitamin and mineral complex, it has a positive effect on the body and is successfully used for various diseases, which allows us to talk about it not only as a spice, but also as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent.

What is zest

Orange peel is the outer colored layer of the citrus fruit.. It contains carotenoids, excretory tissues and essential oils, which cause a bitter-sweet fruity aroma and slightly sugary taste. The main purpose is to improve the taste of products, confectionery, and baked goods.

Chemical composition

The calorie content of citrus peel is 97 kcal. The proportion of BZHU looks like this:

• proteins - 1.5 g;
• fats - 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 14.4 g.

Raw orange peel contains:

• water - 72.5 g;
• dietary fiber - 10.6 g;
• ash - 0.8 g;
• vitamin A - 21 mcg;
• B1 - 0.12 mg;
• B2 - 0.09 mg;
• B5 - 0.49 mg;
• B6 - 0.176 mg;
• B9 - 30 mcg;
• C - 136 mg;
• E - 0.25 mg;
• RR - 0.9 mg;
• potassium - 212 mg;
• calcium - 161 mg;
• magnesium - 22 mg;
• sodium - 3 mg;
• sulfur - 15 mg;
• phosphorus - 21 mg;
• iron - 0.8 mg;
• copper - 92 mcg;
• selenium - 1 mcg;
• zinc - 0.25 mg.

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Beneficial properties of orange peel

What are the benefits of orange zest?:

1. Pectin improves digestion, safely cleanses the intestines of toxins, toxins, pesticides, fats, and normalizes intestinal microflora.
2. When losing weight dietary fiber forms a long-term feeling of satiety, reduces the energy saturation of the diet, and reduces insulin production.
3. Phytoncides have pronounced tonic properties, have a powerful antimicrobial effect, stimulate the immune system, stop the death of brain cells, which is especially important for people who have suffered a stroke or are predisposed to cardiovascular diseases.
4. Hesperidin strengthens the walls of blood vessels, reduces their permeability, stabilizes blood pressure, improves microcirculation and lymph flow, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
5. Ascorbic acid - a powerful antioxidant, protects cells from the aggressive action of free radicals, inhibits oxidative processes, exhibits a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, normalizes the functions of the digestive system and heart muscle.
6. Retinol slows down the aging process, improves the condition of the skin and mucous membranes, normalizes metabolism, and is important for the health of teeth and bones.
7. Organic acids stimulate bile secretion and intestinal motility, restore acid-base balance, regulate metabolism.
8. Essential oils have a choleretic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect, accelerate digestion, relieve spasm of the muscles of the urinary system. In case of respiratory diseases, the lungs are cleared of phlegm.
9. High doses of pectin combined with phytochemicals prevent the development of diabetes, regulate insulin levels in the blood, and reduce the load on the pancreas.

Orange peel improves the functioning of the nervous system, reduces stress, strengthens memory. Reduces cholesterol levels, which serves as a good prevention of atherosclerosis and related complications.

For reference. Orange peel is of particular value for women. It supports the functions of the reproductive system, slows down the onset of menopause, and alleviates the symptoms of menopause.

Features of application

To suppress the feeling of hunger and long-term saturation, citrus peel is used as an aromatic additive to dishes.. For the treatment and prevention of various diseases, a decoction, infusion, and compress are prepared from it.

In folk medicine

Orange peel is used as a medicinal raw material to alleviate the course of painful conditions or prevent them.

Traditional medicine recipes:

1. For eczema. Apply the dried peels to the reddened and swollen area of ​​the skin and secure tightly with several turns of the bandage. Leave the compress overnight. Continue the course of treatment until the inflammation completely subsides and the rash disappears.
2. For respiratory diseases. Pour 50 g of dried peel with 500 ml of vodka or alcohol. Leave in a dark place for 3 weeks. Take the strained infusion 20-30 drops every 2 hours, but no more than 6 times a day. The course of treatment lasts from 3 to 10 days. The infusion is contraindicated for children, the elderly, pregnant and lactating women.
3. When exhausted. To improve appetite and restore impaired metabolism, prepare a decoction from the peel of 5-6 oranges and 1.5 liters of water.Pour boiling water over fresh zest and cook over low heat until the water is reduced by half. Add 2-3 tbsp to the strained broth. l. honey Take 2 tbsp. l. three times a day half an hour before meals for 14 days.
4. For uterine bleeding. Pour the peels of 6 oranges into 1.5 liters of cold water, boil, cook over low heat until half the liquid has evaporated. Drink 2 tbsp decoction. l. three times a day until symptoms disappear.
5. For heartburn. 1 tbsp. Mix chopped orange zest with the same amount of licorice root and add 1.5 liters of water. Cook until the liquid has evaporated by half. Let the broth brew under the lid, strain. Take 1-2 tbsp before meals. l.
6. For hangover syndrome. Mix orange zest with salt in equal proportions, pour 2 tbsp. water, bring to a boil, cook for 20 minutes. Cool and drink the entire portion at once.

Despite its medicinal properties, orange peel is not a panacea.. This is an effective preventive agent, but its effect is usually not enough to treat diseases. Therefore, the peel is used comprehensively in combination with basic therapeutic methods. It enhances the effect of medications, reduces the need for medications, and speeds up recovery.

In cosmetology

Orange peel helps to take care of your face and body skin at home. As part of scrubs, it carefully removes dead skin cells, stimulates blood circulation and lymph flow. The skin becomes elastic, tightened, and the appearance of cellulite decreases. The dried peel is added to a warm bath to treat skin diseases, restore and improve its structure, heal wounds and other damage.

The zest is used in face masks. Usually, it performs several functions simultaneously:

• tones;
• eliminates dryness and tightness;
• stops premature aging;
• stimulates collagen production;
• gives the skin a healthy color and radiance;
• eliminates swelling;
• relieves inflammation;
• reduces pigmentation.

Orange zest helps solve the problem of thin and brittle hair that is prone to oiliness.. Regular use of the decoction nourishes the follicles, the hair becomes stronger and healthier, begins to grow more intensively, and the scalp is restored.

For reference. Crushed orange zest, almond oil and sugar in equal proportions eliminate cracks and flaking on the lips, retain moisture, exfoliate dead particles, making them soft and smooth.

Methods of use

Orange peel is widely used in cooking as a spice. for preparing cold and classic soups, desserts, baked goods, sauces. It is added to dishes made from meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and fruits.

The zest is also used in everyday life: to neutralize unpleasant odors, remove dirt from metal surfaces and glass, clean household and kitchen appliances. Dried peels fill the house with a healing aroma, which helps normalize night sleep, maintains a good mood, and calms the nervous system.

Prepared from dried or fresh orange peels decoctions, infusions that are used for various diseases. The recipe, dosage and duration of treatment should be discussed with your doctor, since orange peel is not always equally beneficial.

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Possible harm and contraindications

Despite all the benefits, orange peel has contraindications for use., which should definitely be taken into account to prevent possible complications.

The list of contraindications is as follows:

• allergy to the product;
• low blood pressure;
• severe renal/liver failure;
• hepatitis;
• inflammation of the large intestine;
• peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
• increased acidity of gastric juice;
• pancreatitis;
• biliary dyskinesia.

Orange peel is well tolerated by patients and rarely causes adverse reactions.. In isolated cases, the development of allergies in the form of rashes, peeling and redness on the skin, and itching was noted. Persons with individual intolerance may develop allergic dermatitis when consuming the zest.

For digestive problems, the zest increases unpleasant symptoms, provokes pain, colic, bloating.

How to prepare orange zest

The benefits and harms of orange zest depend on the quality of the product. When buying fruit, pay attention to the appearance and smell. A product of proper quality has a uniform and bright color, a rich aroma, and is heavy and dense to the touch.

Advice. The most delicious and healthy oranges come from the Mediterranean countries and the USA. It is not recommended to buy citrus fruits brought from Peru and South Africa. In order to deliver the fruits safe and sound, they are collected at the stage of incomplete ripeness, so the beneficial properties of the orange peel are reduced.

It's easy to prepare the zest:

1. Rinse the fruits thoroughly and dry.
2. To obtain fresh zest, use a sharp knife to remove the thin top layer of peel. You can use a fine grater.In this form, the zest is usually used as a spice to improve the taste of dishes.
3. To prepare medicinal infusions, decoctions and compresses, remove the peel with your hands along with the underlying white layer.
4. Next, spread the zest on a plate in a thin layer, dry at room temperature for 2-3 days, turning daily. The zest is considered ready when the rinds become brittle. To speed up the preparation process, use an oven or a special dryer for vegetables and fruits.

Grind the dried zest if desired or leave it in its original form.. Store in a glass container with an airtight lid in a dry, dark place.

Conclusion

Orange zest is a spice; it is added to food to improve taste. Like other spices, it promotes digestion, has a positive effect on metabolism, and regulates cholesterol and fat metabolism in the body. Due to its rich chemical composition, the zest is used as a medicinal and cosmetic product. Active biological components have a beneficial effect on the body and support the functions of all systems and organs.