Swapping table salt with easy alternative full of antioxidants helps regulate cholesterol

Orange peel
-Credit:Getty Images


Swapping salt for a more nutritious alternative can provide a series of health benefits, and can even help regulate cholesterol levels.

While salt makes up a crucial component of many of our favourite dishes, swapping out the ingredient for one particular alternative can carry a number of health benefits, according to a study carried out in 2004.

It is widely known that an excess of sodium, which is found in salt, can have a hugely detrimental impact on our overall health with several links to heart disease.

But, as health experts have pointed towards the copious negative impact of salt on our health, combining lemon and orange peel can provide an equally flavoursome alternative.

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By removing the peel from either fruit, they can be made into a salt-like substance by placing the peels of two oranges and two lemons onto a baking tray and placing them in the oven at 90 degrees for one hour, or until fully dry.

A study carried out by US and Canadian researchers in 2004 found that the peels of citrus fruit can lower cholesterol more significantly than some prescription drugs and without side effects.

Science Daily added: "The compounds, called polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs), are similar to other plant pigments found in citrus fruits that have been increasingly linked to health benefits, including protection against cancer, heart disease and inflammation."

Orange peel
Antioxidants are known to help regulate cholesterol (stock) -Credit:Getty Images/Cultura RF

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Once done, the orange and lemon peel can be ground and added to the 100 grams of salt and turmeric to provide a healthy food topping.

According to Healthline, lemon peel carries a number of health benefits due to its high count of antioxidants, including vitamin C, which research has been shown to provide a boost to our immune system and reduce the risk of disease.

Meanwhile, just last year, Dr Karan Raj, the author of This Book May Save Your Life: Everyday Health Hacks to Worry Less and Live Better, told his TikTok followers of the health benefits of consuming orange peel: "The orange peel itself is rich in a soluble dietary fibre called pectin. The peels contain high levels of Vitamin C - sometimes as much as, if not more, the flesh of the fruit itself."

He added: "The peel contains carotenoids and polyphenols which are anti-inflammatory compounds."

Antioxidants are proven to have a significant impact on regulating our cholesterol levels. Having high levels of cholesterol, which means that the fatty substance is in our blood in an excessive quantity, can lead to the blocking of blood vessels in our bodies, which in turn increases the risk of developing heart problems and a heightened risk of suffering from a stroke.