When you have that first bite into juicy, cold, fresh slice of watermelon then you can feel Summer has arrived! Watermelon is made of 92% water (hence its name) and contains about 6% sugar. Did you know that watermelon is a member of the same family as cucumber and pumpkin? It grows on a vine, so it could be seen as a vegetable but it also grows from a seed, is sweet and classified as a melon so it’s a fruit too!
FUN FACTS:
- There are more than 1200 varieties of watermelon, which come in all shapes and sizes.
- The entire watermelon can be eaten, even the rind which is often stewed or pickled.
- Watermelon contains more lycopene than tomatoes (A powerful carotenoid that gives it the red/pink colour)
- These powerful antioxidants travel through the body neutralising free radicals.
- Citrullus Lanatus of the botanical family Curcurbitaceae.
- In Israel and Egypt, the sweet taste of watermelon is often paired with the salty taste of feta cheese.
- There are seedless watermelons (They are delicious!), and they were invented about 50 years ago
HEALTH BENEFITS:
- High amounts of Vitamin B6 which increase your brain power
- The high lycopene content is important for cardiovascular health.
- The high water and electrolyte content of watermelons make them ideal as a refreshing summer thrust quenchers. They help keep us hydrated, keep our skin fresh and can clean the kidneys of toxins.
- Vitamin A which is good for your eyesight
- Vitamins B1, C and Manganese which protect against infections
- Not only does it quench your thirst but it also quenches inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.
- Watermelon Juice may relieve muscle soreness, so drink some of its juice when you have your next workout session. This contains a little over one gram of l-citrulline, an amino acid that seems to protect against muscle pain. (Just be careful with the amount you have as it is high in fructose). Citrulline also helps to reduce body fat.
- The rind contains plenty of health-promoting and blood-building chlorophyll, but the rind actually contains more of the amino acid citrulline than the pink flesh. So you can blend it up with some limes in your blender for your next refreshing juice.
- Watermelon is a natural diuretic.
- Watermelon is an alkaline-forming food, so when it goes through your body it is alkaline, which helps you avoid a diet high in acid.
HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT WATERMELON?
Check out these great tips from Food Lover’s Market so that you can pick the perfect watermelon every time:Â http://bit.ly/2ggQDd2
