WATERMELON…SUMMER DELIGHT…HEALTH BENEFITS AND QUICK RECIPES

Come summers and the local markets are flooded with delicious ,super juicy, red on the inside and seeded or seedless watery fruit…..WATERMELON….!!!!

Thankfully it is one of those fruits that gives a sigh of relief in the scorching summers and even satiates your taste buds….

But do you know how to pick the best watermelon and the health benefits of this wonder fruit ?

Today let’s discuss these and also have a sneak peak into some really simple drinks you can make with this fruit…

TIPS TO PICK THE BEST WATERMELON:

1. Pick it up. It should feel heavy, not hollow, as ripe watermelons have more water.
2. Ripe ones are dark green in colour, they tend to be sweeter. The surface colour should be dull. If it is shiny, it may be unripe
3. The watermelon should be uniformly shaped and symmetrical, free from bruises and scars. Press against different spots, it should feel firm.
4. Look for a creamy, yellow spot. Watermelons tend to develop a patch where they are placed on the ground to soak up the sun. When you find it, it means that the fruit is ripe. This is called the ‘ground spot’. If this spot is white or greenish it means the fruit may have been picked too early.
5. Tap it and hear the sound. A ripe one will have a deep hollow sound while those that are under-ripe or overripe will sound dull.

Now, that you know how to buy the best watermelon, let’s also have a look at some of the reasons to buy it more and more:

BENEFITS OF WATERMELON’

1. Hydrates your body: Watermelons are loaded with electrolyte and water and will help you to stay hydrated. The fruit is 92 percent water and will make you feel full. But it is low in calories so, you can eat as much as you want without feeling guilty.
2. Improves digestion: It is one of the best home remedies for constipation. Since it contains fiber and water, it improves the health of the digestive tract. So, be it piles or fissures you can get rid of these painful diseases by eating watermelon or drinking watermelon juice.
3. Helps prevent cancer and improves immunity: Watermelon is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which helps fight the free radical formation in the body. Free radicals are known to cause cancer. Also, lycopene, present in watermelon has been known to lower risk of prostate cancer as it reduces insulin-growth factor (IGF), which is a protein involved in the division of cells.
4. Controls high blood pressure: enriched with potassium, magnesium and amino acids, watermelon works wonders to maintain the health of blood vessels and ensures smooth blood flow. It also maintains acid-based balance in the body, which helps lower the risk of high blood pressure
5. Good for keeping flab away: This fruit is extremely low in calories and can be consumed if you’re aiming at weight-loss. One small bowl of watermelon contains only about 80 calories.
6. Reduces kidney disorders: It is a great source of potassium and calcium, which helps in flushing out the toxins from your body. Calcium helps in lowering the amount of uric acid in the blood, thereby lowering the chance of kidney diseases.
7. Boosts mood: The fruit helps balance hormones and can enhance your mood because of the presence of vitamin B6–a crucial nutrient that is responsible for calming the nerves.
8. Improves eye health: Watermelon is a great source of vitamin A, which helps produce pigments in the retina of the eye, which protects age-related macular degeneration. Vitamin A also helps maintain healthy skin, teeth and mucus membrane.
9. Helps prevent asthma: Vitamin C helps protect an individual against the risk of developing asthma and watermelon is enriched with it. So eat watermelon to prevent asthma.
10. Relieves muscle soreness: Watermelon contains L-citrulline, which has been shown to relieve muscle soreness, enhance physical performance and promotes muscle relaxation and helps relieve pain. It is advisable to drink watermelon juice prior to your workout as it enhances performance and intense training.

After reading about the health benefits you would definitely want to have more and more of this juicy fruit…

But why restrict yourself to the traditional way of eating it, try these simple recipes and make yourself and your family happy….!!!!