Orange pith has nearly the same amount of vitamin-C as the flesh.
When we eat our oranges, we usually peel away the thick layer of skin and remove the bitter white part, also known as pith. But do you know how much healthy content you are throwing away from the tasty oranges?
The white part of the rind, including the pith, has nearly the same amount of vitamin-C as the flesh and contains sources of pectin. Pectin is a soluble dietary fiber with potential to lower serum cholesterol, relieve diarrhea, act as an immune system stimulant and as anti-ulcer agent.
The pith, part of the protection layer for the orange, contains high levels of fiber, anti-cancer agents and important bioflavonoids (an antioxidant). So next time when you have an orange, think twice about peeling off those healthy beneficial white piths.
Interesting Facts About Oranges
- Navel oranges are named after their appearances – the bottom part of it looks like a belly-button.
- Orange juice only has 25% of the vitamin-C of the whole orange.
- Orange is the world’s third favorite flavor. First and second was chocolate and vanilla.
- Brazil is the largest orange producer in the world.
- Oranges have more fiber content than most fruits and vegetables.
- The famous William Shatner once worked behind the counters of a local orange juice store.
12 commentsback to post
#1millyJuly 15, 2010, 9:18 pm
Even if it is good for me i wouldn’t wanna eat it – it taste nasty!
#2KimsOctober 20, 2010, 11:41 am
That’s very good to know… grandma did tell me not to peel that pith off but i never knew why?
#3JohnFebruary 16, 2011, 2:58 pm
and all this time i’ve been pealing them away!
#4JeffFebruary 22, 2011, 5:53 pm
orange you glad you tuned in for this informative message?
#5JimFebruary 26, 2011, 1:15 pm
I’ve had a number of health issues and one is kidney stones. My nutritionist told me to start drinking fresh orange juice because according to a study in the British Journal of Nutrition, it could reduce my risk of having calcium oxalate stones form. However, she also told me it was a good idea to keep the pith on. However, the common way to make fresh orange juice is with a reamer style juicer. You don’t really get any pith that way. So now, I use either a juicer like an Omega 8003 or Green Star. I cut the rind off but leave a lot of the pith. It takes a while longer but you end up with a creamy orange juice. And even though the pith can be bitter, the rest of the orange fruit counter acts that bitter taste so I still get a sweet tasting glass of orange juice.
#6HannahMarch 1, 2011, 6:31 am
I actually love the pith
Since I was little I eat my oranges by cutting off the rind as close to the pith as possible, then peeling the pith off and eating it, and then eating the orange
#7RileeJuly 12, 2011, 12:45 pm
My mother told me eating the white part of the rind was good for female problems. So, I have always eaten the white of the rind when peeling an orange. I always get strange looks or grossed out looks when I eat it in front of someone for the first time. I let them know the reason and they usually will tell me they would never eat that no matter what. It’s good to know I’ve been eating the pith for 40 years and it’s good for me. Go mom!
#8KammyJuly 12, 2011, 9:39 pm
Rilee – can you explain more on the female problems? like what’s good about it for female problems?
#9clairFebruary 28, 2012, 10:05 am
I would find the statements more convincing if there were a reference to at least one scientific study in support of the statements. I would also have more confidence in the information if the author were a bit more literate (or careful, or familiar with standard English usage,(e.g., didn’t use “relief” where “relieve” was called for). I customarily have always eaten the pith; my wife never. I came here to find support for my belief that the pith is good for you, but for that purpose I’m just as well off with old wives’ tales.
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