As mentioned in a previous post, vitamin C is of great importance in
our body because it has antioxidant action, reducing cellular aging, synthesizing collagen (an important protein in the formation of healthy skin, tendons, bones and supporting tissues and in wound healing); synthesis or release of hormones from the adrenal gland, in addition to increasing the absorption of iron from plant and animal foods.
Unlike other vitamins, such as vitamin B12, vitamin C is not stored in our body and must, therefore, be ingested daily in sufficient quantities to maintain the body's functions.
For adult individuals, the recommendation is 60 milligrams per day (mg/day). For people at risk (smokers, alcoholics, pregnant women, among others) the recommendation is higher, around 100 mg/day. In the case of smokers and alcoholics, the increased need is due to the fact that the compounds present in these products reduce the concentration of vitamin C in the body, and in the case of pregnancy it is due to the physiological state in which the woman finds herself, in which there is Need more nutrients than normal for the baby's healthy development.
Normally people get vitamin C from fruits and vegetables (guava, acerola, strawberry, orange, tomato, pepper, mango, cashew, orange, lemon, etc.), however, few know that the unconventional parts of these foods are also rich. in this vitamin.
Below is the amount of vitamin C in 100 grams of some unconventional parts:
- Pineapple peel: 16.8 mg
- White sweet potato peel: 40.00 mg
- Banana peel: 10.14
- Beet leaf: 557.00 mg
- Beetroot peel: 331.00 mg
- Carrot stem: 16.65 mg
- Cauliflower leaf: 122.7
- Orange peel: 13.70 mg
- Passion fruit peel: 20.00
Therefore, leaves, bark, seeds and stems can also be added to your preparations to enrich them not only with vitamin C, but also with other vitamins and minerals.
But remember: always before consumption, all fruits and vegetables and their consumed parts must be correctly cleaned.
- 10 ml (1 level tablespoon) of bleach (for this purpose) in 1 liter of water or
- 20 ml (2 level tablespoons) of sodium hypochlorite in 1 liter of water.
Tips:
The leaves, branches and stems can be added to salads, dumplings, rice, pies, etc.
Cakes and pies can be made with fruit peels (banana, orange, pineapple, etc.).
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmeIt3NqtlM
Sources:
SESI. Feed Well Program. Table of Chemical Composition of Non-Conventional Parts of Food.
http://www.portalsaofrancisco.com.br/alfa/vitaminas/vitamina-c-acido-ascorbico.php
http://www.fooddesign.com.br/arquivos/legislacao/portaria_06_99_cvs_bpf_refeicoes_coletivas.pdf