Unlock the surprising health benefits and ingenious uses of mandarin peels this holiday season

Mandarins, indeed, are a real delicacy for an affordable price. Their taste is delightful, and their scent attractively lures you in. Furthermore, these fruits are incredibly healthful, packed with vitamins that help in warding off infections during winter. There are numerous benefits to eating mandarins, and fewer people are aware that their peels, too, are equally beneficial.

Most of us savor a peeled mandarin, but are unaware of the amazing uses offered by its peel. It's advisable to wash the fruit before eating to remove any impurities. An intriguing fact about mandarin peels is that they contain nobiletin, which prevents fatty liver disease, obesity, atherosclerosis, and type 2 diabetes. Hence, instead of throwing them away, it's worthwhile to consider their multiple benefits.

Mandarins, unlike other citrus fruits like oranges, are small and sweet. Still, many confuse them with clementines, which is inaccurate. These fruits can be dubbed as a 'vitamin shot', as they comprise vitamins A and C, which enhance immunity and curb free radicals. As for whether mandarin peels pack the same benefits, they do.

Next time, instead of tossing the peel into the trash, consider the various methods you can use it and benefit yourself in numerous ways. Preparing a natural syrup for a cold is such a way. You can easily prepare a beneficial mandarin syrup by cleaning and grating the peels, transferring them to a jar, and sprinkling them with sugar or drizzling with honey to extract the juice. Given a few days, your natural mandarin syrup will be ready to serve.

Another beneficial solution is to prepare a tincture from mandarin peels to combat colds in adults. After a week, this mixture will be ready for use. On the other hand, combining mandarin peels with vinegar creates a powerful cleansing solution that can eliminate grease and deposits and neutralize unwanted fridge smells. Place salt-sprinkled peels on its shelves for the best results.

Mandarin peels also repel household pests, which are usually hard to get rid of. Just place them where you spot ants most frequently, and they'll leave due to the strong citrus scent. These peels can also help discourage mischievous cats from messing in unwanted areas if you place a few peels in those spots. Additionally, mandarin peels are excellent for combating foot fungus and foul shoe smells. Insert a few peels inside the shoes, and the odor will dissipate.