Is Watermelon Healthy... Or Just Fun To Eat =)

Watermelon, I can't think of a better summer time topic to leave you with for the weekend.

The last time that I wrote about watermelons, one of my best friends was stationed in Afghanistan. He e-mailed me to say there was a cart of watermelons outside his house for sale, but he couldn't buy one because there might be a bomb in it. Well, I don't think anyone else in my reading audience will have that problem reaching for a watermelon this weekend. So go for it!

If you are like me there is no other fruit you'd rather eat. So the question is, is watermelon really healthy, or just an over hydrated fruit in search of a liter of vodka. Is watermelon healthy for you? Well, if a watermelon could respond it would be insulted. This fruit is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. Though many people simply eat watermelon simply to curb their thirst during heat of summer time. To me, watermelon is like that song that brings back memories of that forgotten summer. Of that fun picnic, a long time ago with family or friends, or that first kiss with a special girl or guy. As the sugary juice runs between our fingers towards the elbow, and we practice accurate seed spitting. For some of these reasons, and others watermelon kinda got put on some seldom eaten fruit pedestal. Well there is no need for that! Watermelon is a great everyday fruit, and those memories, they aren't going anywhere. Watermelon is also packed with nutrients that can help you to maintain health for years down the line, but first a little history.

 
Evidence of watermelon cultivation in the Nile Valley, was found from the second millennium BC. Watermelon seeds have been found at Twelfth Dynasty sites and in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Watermelon is also mentioned in the Bible as a food eaten by the ancient Israelites while they were in bondage in Egypt. By the 10th century, watermelons were being cultivated in China, which today is the world's largest watermelon producer. By the 13th century, Moorish invaders had introduced the fruit to Europe, and the word "watermelon" made its first appearance in an English dictionary in 1615. Watermelons were grown by Native Americans in the 16th century. Early French explorers found the fruit being cultivated in the Mississippi Valley. Many sources list the watermelon as being introduced in Massachusetts as early as 1629. Today, farmers in approximately 44 states in the USA grow watermelon commercially,Georgia, Florida, Texas, California and Arizona are the USA's largest watermelon producers.

Health wise, watermelon is rich in vitamin C,
first of all which is an excellent antioxidant. That makes it very heart healthy. As you should all know by now, antioxidants provide anti-aging effects by protecting the body from the onslaught of free radicals. (broken cells) With increase in age, the body becomes susceptible to ailments. For instance eyesight deteriorates as we get older. An easy way to keep these age related disorders at bay, is to consume substantial amounts of naturally occurring vitamin C, abundantly found fruits like watermelon. Also, Lycopene, a carotenoid that displays anti cancer properties is also an important constituent of watermelon. Studies show that that lower levels of lycopene in blood puts a person in the risk zone of prostrate cancer. Research also proves that lycopene can play a major role in reducing the chances of developing lung and colon cancer. So, including that daily serving of melon, which is an excellent source of lycopene, could actually stop cancer invasion. For a healthy heart, sufficient intake of dietary lycopene is very important also. Health scientists are becoming more and more interested in the citrulline content of watermelon. Citrulline is an amino acid that is commonly converted by our kidneys and other organ systems into arginine. Higher levels of arginine can help improve blood flow and other aspects of our cardiovascular health. There's also some preliminary evidence from animal studies that greater conversion of citrulline into arginine may help prevent excess accumulation of fat in fat cells due to blocked activity of an enzyme called tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, or TNAP. Cucurbitacin E is another unique anti-inflammatory phytonutrient (called a tripterpenoid) found in watermelon. Antioxidant carotenoids found in watermelon include significant amounts of beta-carotene.

To ensure that the body gets its daily dosage of lycopene, if you don't like like tomatoes, you can also eat watermelons. Tell your kids, bet they will hate that. See the thing of it is that when you eat few pieces of watermelon, you just smile, you feel good, you feel energized. You are transformed physically and emotionally. One reason for that is, watermelon is very rich in vitamin B. To combat fatigue, people are often advised to take vitamin B energy drinks. This is because this vitamins deficiency can lead to decreased energy levels. Also it's mostly water and so are we. Watermelon breeders discovered through cross breeding, a seed that grows a fruit that rarely develops seeds, although you may find some empty white seed coats. This melon's flesh is firmer because the usual softening of the fruit around the seeds does not occur. The 'Carolina Cross' produced the current world record watermelon weighing 262 pounds (119 kg).
This fruit is a natural remedy to bring down high blood pressure levels. This is because watermelons are loaded with potassium, a dietary mineral that can restore healthy blood pressure levels. Doctors often prescribe potassium supplements to reduce high blood pressure. Talk with your doctor about having watermelon on a daily basis, instead of taking medications, it could be an effective way to lower high blood pressure.

Watermelon is so high in water content, it would be reasonable to assume that eating watermelon could also be helpful in treating dry skin problems. Drinking watermelon juice is used holistic medicine to assist in curing acne. Because watermelon is also a good source of lycopene, it can help to rejuvenate the skin and improve its texture. Because of it's high antioxidant properties. It is necessary to have a sufficient intake of vitamin C, for the production of collagen, a protein found in inner layers of the skin, Collagen basically provides elasticity to the skin and prevents wrinkling of the skin. Therefore eating watermelon (high in vitamin C) can certainly assist to slow down the aging of skin. Even applying the juice externally should be a good option also, to clear away the skin from blemishes and pimples.
The amount of protein in watermelon seeds is approximately 1 gram per 24 seeds. At this rate, we're likely to get several grams of protein when we eat several slices of whole, seeded watermelon. While we would not want to depend on watermelon as a key protein food, this valuable amount of protein in its seeds should at least remind us that a fruit like watermelon does have something to offer us in the way of protein benefits. One study showed that the iron and zinc in watermelon seeds is surprisingly bio-available also, at 85-90%.
From providing a flawless skin, to boosting our energy level, to providing a reason for a relaxing daydream, watermelons health benefits are plenty, and keeping in mind that nutritional value of watermelon is very high also, the next time if anyone questions "is watermelon good for you ?" you can let them know all about this unique super fruit.
Good Luck... 

           And Here's How To Pick A Good One !!

Doc's Frozen Watermelon Margarita...

_ 6oz. premium tequila

_ 1.5oz cointreau liqueur

_ 1oz. Roses Lime

_ 16-20oz. Seedless Watermelon

splash of grenadine

 Use your blender to liquefy a small seedless watermelon first, then add the rest of the ingredients and blend, adding ice slowly until your desired consistency is reached. Serve in your favorite coupe or parfait glass with a lightly sugared rim.

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