The peels of apples contain beneficial nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Whenever possible, people should consume the edible peels of fruits, including apples, pears, and peaches, to take full advantage of all the nutrients the whole fruit offers. Peeling apples will lower the fiber and overall nutrient content of the fruit.
In fact, research has shown that although both an apple’s flesh and peel are highly nutritious, the peel contains certain antioxidants that the flesh does not. Plus, several studies have shown that the antioxidant capacity of apple peel is up to 4 times higher than apple flesh.
So, to get the most out of an apple, eat the peel. However, be sure to properly wash the apple before consuming it to reduce the chances of ingesting contaminants, such as pesticides.