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Peels, skins, stalks and seeds often contain more fibre than the parts of fruit and veg that we usually eat, according to a new study from King’s College London. Researchers analysed 12 common types of fresh produce and found that in 10 of them, the scraps contained ‘significantly higher levels of dietary fibre’. For instance, the team found pineapple skin and core contained roughly five times more fibre than the flesh.
Meanwhile, butternut squash skin and seeds provided 9.25g of fibre per 100g – nearly one-third of the recommended daily intake. These root-to-tip parts made up between 25 and 48 per cent of the total weight of the produce, said project lead Dr Rachel Gibson . “That means people are discarding a significant portion of the produce we buy,” she said.
“This isn’t just a nutritional loss; it’s also a financial one. You’re effectively throwing away a substantial portion of what you’ve paid for.” Scraps from the chopping board are packing more fibre than we thought - Photo Credit: Getty To see whether people would actually eat peels, skins, stalks and seeds, the team served a root-to-tip menu at King’s College London and asked diners what would persuade them to try it. The extra fibre turned out to be a stronger draw than the environmental benefits.
That doesn’t mean every scrap belongs in the pot just yet. The authors said more research was needed on pesticide residues and other possible contaminants in skins and peels, and the study did not test whether eating them improved health. The study was published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition .
Read more: Why eating too much fibre might be ruining your gut health How to boost your microbiome Human microbiome: everything you need to know
Source: BBC Science Focus Magazine
