Study finds discarded fruit and vegetable parts can contain more fibre

Researchers at King's College London analyzed 12 types of fresh produce and found that parts commonly discarded, including peels, skins, seeds and stalks, contained more dietary fibre than the portions usually eaten in 10 of the 12 types, Medical Xpress reported. The researchers measured the produce raw. The BBC reported examples included watermelon rind and broccoli stalks.

The researchers introduced a root-to-tip menu at King's College London to learn about people's attitudes toward eating these parts. A focus group of 40 university staff and students took part before the menu launched, Medical Xpress reported. The researchers said broader use would require caterers and food manufacturers to find ways to use produce waste in meals. They said future studies should examine how root-to-tip eating can be implemented safely and practically across different populations and settings.