Researchers suggest eating orange peels for a healthier gut.

But is that safe?

That balance influences both your immediate and long-term health.

There are many factors that can tip the scales in favor of the beneficial microorganismsor toward the harmful ones.

Stress and gut health have a bidirectional relationship.

When youre stressed out, it affects gut health.

It also works in reverse.

Poor gut health can increase feelings ofstress, anxiety and depression.

And of course, what you eat also influences gut health.

But fermented foods, like yogurt, kefir and kimchi, place probioticshelpful bacteriainto your gut.

And since bacteria are living organisms, they need to be nourished to flourish.

Thats where prebiotics come in.

Your beneficial gut bacteria love prebiotics, which are types of fiber they nosh on to grow and thrive.

But thats not all.

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes are all prebiotic foods.

But some produce often get peeled and the peels get tossed, creating what may be unnecessary food waste.

For example, did you know you’re free to eatbanana peel?

Same for Kiwi skin.

And of course potato skinsbut alsosweet potato skins.

What Did the Study Find?

Oranges are a popular fruit, and orange juice is pretty popular, too.

But whether you eat the orange flesh or drink the juice, the peel usually gets tossed.

This creates a heap of food waste that could actually be eaten.

Plus, youre not just tossing away a snackyoure tossing out a nutrition powerhouse.

Study authors point out that orange peel is rich in dietary fiber and polyphenols.

Soluble fiber also slows digestion, helping to stabilize blood sugar.

Of course, some may worry about potential pesticides on the orange peel.

Should we be concerned about pesticides in the orange peel?

And 22.1% of the samples exceeded the allowable maximum residue level.

coli, both while its growing and after harvest.

Wash your hands before you wash your oranges to avoid cross-contamination.

Its then recommended that you rinse and scrub the orangesunder cold running water.

Avoid soaking them and using any sort of detergent.

Soaking the oranges can reintroduce them to bacteria and pesticides.

This can also be done by spraying them with a vinegar and water solution.

What Does This Mean in Real Life?

Including orange peel in cooking isnt a new thing.

This includes the flesh of the orange,its juiceand its peel.

Scientists suggest eating the orange peel for its prebiotic and polyphenol properties, which benefit the gut microbiome.