Apples are a traditional fruit with very high nutritional value and are popular worldwide. Because apples are fresh and sweet, fragrant, and rich in vitamins and other nutrients. People are accustomed to peeling apples, thinking that the peel has no nutritional value and that the apple peel may be attached to some dust and drugs, etc. Then, can apple peels be eaten?

Research shows that apple peels contain abundant antioxidant components and bioactive substances, and eating apple peels is beneficial to health.

Apple peels contain a lot of bioactive substances, such as phenolic substances, flavonoids, and octacosanol, etc., which can inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme that causes blood pressure to rise, help prevent chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and coronary heart disease, and reduce their incidence.

In addition, the intake of apple peels can reduce the incidence of lung cancer. Studies abroad have shown that apple peels have stronger antioxidant properties than the flesh of the fruit, and the antioxidant effect of apple peels is higher than that of other fruits and vegetables. The antioxidant capacity of the peel of a regular-sized apple is equivalent to the antioxidant capacity of 800 milligrams of vitamin C.

The octacosanol in apple peels also has the effects of anti-fatigue and enhancing physical strength. Apple peels can inhibit the enzyme activity of dental plaque and the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity, have anti-corrosion properties, and can protect teeth. They can also make the skin white and tender, prevent the formation of melanin, and have beauty benefits.

Many manufacturers have developed functional foods by extracting bioactive substances from apple peels. Apple peel powder, as a valuable food additive, can be used to produce fortified foods, and the addition of a small amount of apple peel powder can increase the content of polyphenols and flavonoids in foods.