Peels, Seeds, and Other Scraps Contain More Fiber Than the Parts We Eat in 10 of 12 Fruits and Vegetables
Learn more about the fiber hidden in produce peels and seeds, and how consuming them could lower food waste and give your fiber a boost.
Research from King's College London reveals that parts of fruits and vegetables typically discarded, such as peels and seeds, may contain more fiber than the portions we consume. Fiber intake is crucial for digestive health and can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. The study analyzed 12 types of produce in the U.K. and discovered that discarded food scraps often have higher fiber content than the parts we eat.
In 10 out of 12 fruit and vegetable types, the 'root-to-tip' components contained more fiber than the portions consumed. For example, butternut squash skin and seeds had 9.25 grams of fiber per 100 grams, which could equal about one-third of the daily recommended fiber intake. The team also found that only about 4% of adults in the U.K. consume the recommended daily fiber amount, with fresh produce accounting for 36% of food waste.
The findings suggest that utilizing typically discarded food parts could help address dietary fiber deficiencies, reduce food waste, and promote sustainable food practices.
Written by urgent.news from Discover Magazine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
