8 Surprising (but True) Facts About Watermelon

Watermelon is good for athletes

If you decide to actively engage in your physical health and plan to start attending fitness or go jogging in the morning, then it will not be superfluous to learn about one amazing property of watermelons. These berries boast high levels of L-citrulline, an amino acid that helps prevent muscle soreness. In order not to fall from a burning sensation in the muscles after an intense workout, before class, drink the juice of 1/3 of a fresh watermelon, this will help to moderate the pain and thirst.

Watermelon skins and seeds can be eaten

No matter how ridiculous it may sound, we strongly recommend not to throw away the watermelon peels. First, they are delicious. Cut them into small pieces and place in a blender along with lemon, cucumber and crushed ice. If desired, you can also add sugar or herbs. As a result, you will have in your glass not only a refreshing drink, but also a cocktail of vitamins C, B1, B2, carotene, folic acid and pantothenic acid. We do not recommend adding seeds to the drink, but eating with the pulp is fine. In essence, they are no different from pumpkin or sunflower seeds, which we are happy to eat. Watermelon seeds have anti-inflammatory properties, improve skin health, and also contain iron, zinc, protein and fiber.

Watermelon is water (almost)

We are sure you have heard more than once that watermelons are mostly water. But have you ever wondered how exactly they are "watery"? The liquid content in this fruit is about 91%, perhaps due to this it is also one of the least high-calorie sweet melons, 100 g of watermelon contains only 38 calories.

Watermelon is good for the eyes and brain

A couple of slices of watermelon can improve your eyesight and mental performance. Scientists came to this conclusion when they found high levels of vitamin A and vitamin B6 in its sweet pulp. The first protects the eyes from various infections and improves vigilance, and the second strengthens memory and increases the speed of thinking.

Watermelon protects from ultraviolet radiation

There are a number of foods that have been shown to increase the body's resistance to UV radiation. Watermelon is just one of them. Of course, consumption of watermelon does not negate the use of Sanskrins, but on the other hand, the lycopene contained in it has powerful antioxidant properties and is able to counteract the destructive power of the sun's rays.

Watermelon builds up sugar

The pulp of a ripe watermelon contains from 5% to 13% of easily digestible sugars. During ripening, fructose and glucose begin to be synthesized in the pulp. Sucrose, on the other hand, appears in the watermelon later, already at the time of storage of the fruit. Therefore, in diabetes mellitus, it is advised to use just ripe watermelons, and even then in small quantities, because it is not always possible to determine when the fruit was plucked.

Watermelon helps to remove toxins

Watermelon improves the digestive process, has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and cleanses the kidneys and liver, it also helps to eliminate cholesterol from the body. Watermelons are recommended for people who regularly face the problem of stone formation. By the way, if you have no good reason to exclude watermelon from your diet, then you can consume up to 2-3 kg of watermelons per day.

Watermelon is easy to check for nitrates

Watermelon is considered one of the safest foods for the body. Its thick skin prevents various harmful substances from the atmosphere from entering. However, in recent years, the number of watermelons grown with the use of nitrates has increased especially sharply. Checking the "health" of a purchased watermelon is actually very simple. Cut off a small piece of pulp and dip in water. If after an hour and a half the water becomes only slightly cloudy, then everything is fine, but if the water acquires a bright pink, red or orange color, it is better to send this fruit to the trash can.

How to choose a delicious watermelon

Choose medium-sized watermelons that weigh no more than 5-7 kilograms.
The sweetest watermelons are those that are not elongated, but slightly flattened. They usually have fewer seeds.
The tail of the watermelon should be dry and yellow - this is indicative of its maturity. A green tail indicates that the fruit is not yet ripe. And it is unlikely to mature already.
Ripe sweet watermelon, when tapped, emits a dull sound and pops when squeezed.
In a good watermelon, the rind has a pleasant glossy sheen and a yellow spot on one side - this is the place where the fruit lay on the ground when ripe.

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