Watermelon is one my favorite fruits, especially during summertime. Each juicy watermelon contains around 92% of water and can stop you from feeling thirsty during hot days.
Watermelons have not only high-water content, which causes the kidneys to speed up taking away waste material from your blood, but they’re also slightly crunchy that makes them a perfect healthy snack.
While almost all watermelons are dark green on the outside, the inside flesh can have different colors, for example, white, yellow, orange, light pink or deep red.
Health benefits of watermelons
Prevents inflammations. The color of watermelon flesh depends on the amount of the carotenoid lycopene, a well-known antioxidant with an ability to neutralize free radical molecules (can cause several chronic illnesses), which prevents many inflammatory processes in your body. The lycopene and beta-carotene content (an antioxidant needed for healthy skin, immune system, good eye health and vision) of watermelons increases along with ripening. So make sure that your watermelon is optimally ripe every time you buy one, anyway the darker the watermelon, the better.
Increases metabolism. Watermelons are real body metabolism boosters, promote weight loss by decreasing body fat and increase lean muscle. Watermelons help with deposition of body weight causing fat cells to create less fat. Other fruits that can help with increasing metabolism include apples, blueberries, grapefruits, lemons, limes, oranges and tangerines.
Better skin. Eating watermelons frequently will favorably affect your skin as it becomes more cleansed, nourished, moisturized and rejuvenated. Additionally, watermelons soothe skin inflammations.
Increases erectile function in man. Arginine in watermelons helps to fight sexual dysfunctions. It works on similar principles as Viagra, but only when consumed in very large amounts between three to six cups of fresh watermelon juice daily over the course of three weeks. Arginine increases the amount of nitric oxide, which relaxes the veins and increases blood flow. Watermelon is not only for those who are struggling with impotence, but also works proactively.
Low in calories. One cup of a freshly diced watermelon contains only 46 calories which makes watermelons perfect for diabetics.
Lowers blood pressure. Watermelons can be an effective natural weapon against cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C and potassium contained in watermelons combats cholesterol. Thanks to the content of potassium and magnesium, watermelons also have anticoagulant and anti-virus properties.
Relaxes the muscles. Watermelons are great for athletes and people who are physically active because they help to get rid of organic compounds gatherings in the muscles arising as a result of intensive exercise.
How to eat a watermelon?
Remember to wash the watermelon before cutting it. The watermelon flesh can be sliced or cubed. Watermelon is delicious to eat as it is, or it can be added into a fruit salad or vegetable salad.
You can also cook a watermelon soup mixing it with kiwi and plain yoghurt.
While many people are used to eating juicy watermelon flesh, watermelon seeds are also edible. Roasted watermelon seeds are seasoned and eaten as a snack or used to make bread.
You can store your freshly cut watermelon in the fridge for a few days, as there is no deterioration in lycopene content until about seven days of storage.
Once cut, watermelons should be refrigerated in order to best preserve their freshness, taste and juiciness. Store your cut watermelon in a sealed, hard plastic or glass container with a lid.
