Broccoli stalks could contain as much as four times the antioxidants as a tomato: pic from Ishida

Broccoli stalks could contain as much as four times the antioxidants as a tomato: pic from Ishida

The parts of vegetables that are commonly thrown away contain valuable levels of vitamins and minerals, according to new research.

A Food Group study at Lincolnshire University has shown that the stalks of staple vegetables could be sources of value-added products.

Dr Alaa El Din Bekhit said less than a third of some vegetables are used for human consumption, and the rest is wasted.

He said that, on a weight basis, broccoli stalks contain four times the amount of antioxidants as a tomato.

Bekhit added that it would be possible to extract the nutrients from the stalks and leaves to make supplements, or to pickle them as a separate food product.