Watermelon is a large fruit that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family having about 975 species across 98 genera. These include watermelons, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and many others.
History of Watermelon
It has been cultivated for thousands of years, with evidence stretching back to the Ancient Egyptians.
From there, they were sprouted throughout Asia and Europe. Colonists brought seeds with them to the New World, where around four billion pounds of watermelons are now produced every year.
Ancient Egyptians used watermelon to treat reproductive problems. The peoples of Russia and Central Asia used it as a diuretic and to cleanse the blood.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, watermelon is considered cooling and moistening, producing a diuretic effect, and commonly is used to treat inflammation of the kidney and urinary tracts.
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Watermelon[/caption]
Shapes of Watermelon
Watermelons can be round, oblong or spherical in shape and have thick green rinds that are often spotted or striped. There are over 1,200 varieties of watermelon worldwide.
The cultivars of watermelon range in weight from less than 1 kg to more than 90 kilograms; the flesh can be red, pink, orange, yellow or white.
Watermelon Nutrition
Watermelon is a nutrient dense food. Watermelon provides almost no protein or fat. The nutrients in 100 grams of raw watermelon are 30 calories, 7.6 grams carbs, and 6.2 grams sugar. Watermelon provides high levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
It has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene and amino acids. It contains decent amounts of potassium, copper and vitamin B5.
It is mostly water — about 92 percent, making it an efficient snack to replenish fluids lost through sweat. It’s a beverage you can chew, acting like a two-in-one meal and drink.
Hydration is essential to survival, our tissues, cells, and organs need water to function properly. Water delivers nutrients to cells and helps remove toxins and metabolic waste from the cells as well. Health benefits of watermelon.
Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like watermelon decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, asthma, heart disease and overall mortality. Other benefits of the watermelon include promoting a healthy complexion and hair and overall lower weight.
Watermelon, because of its water and fiber content, helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.
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Slices of Watermelon[/caption]
What is in watermelon
Choline is found in watermelon. Choline is neither a vitamin nor a mineral — it's an organic water-soluble compound that's often grouped with vitamin B complex since it has similar functions and properties. Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient; it aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory.
Choline is involved in cell structure and messaging, nervous system maintenance, the transmission of nerve impulses, DNA synthesis, fat transport, and metabolism. Choline helps support proper fetal development. High choline levels during pregnancy may increase the baby's lifelong memory function and lower the risk for neural tube defects.
Choline promotes optimal brain function and memory by acting as a precursor for a neurotransmitter that's responsible for memory, mood, and intelligence.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody that is naturally produced to help fight infection. IgE levels can also increase in response to exposure to an allergen, which is a harmless, non-infectious substance. IgE triggers a variety of allergic reactions that can manifest with a skin rash, sneezing, swollen lips, or asthma.
Choline modulates immune inflammation and suppresses oxidative stress in asthma patients. Eosinophils are white blood cells that are usually associated with allergic diseases. Choline therapy significantly reduced chronic inflammation, blood eosinophils count and total IgE. Watermelon boosts immunity. Watermelon is also a very good source of the amino acid citrulline.
Once consumed, citrulline is converted into another amino acid, arginine, by the kidneys. Arginine helps improve blood flow and aids in multiple aspects of cardiovascular health. Arginine is used for the synthesis of nitric oxide.
Not only does nitric oxide help dilate blood vessels to keep blood flowing efficiently and reduce the risk of high blood pressure, but it’s also involved in regulating the immune system.
Watermelon is also a great source of vitamin C, a key micronutrient that does double duty, acting as both an antioxidant and immune enhancer to keep your body healthy and ward off chronic disease.
Oxidative stress has been linked to several diseases as neurological diseases, lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
Watermelon is a great source of antioxidants, specifically in the form of vitamin C and lycopene. Lycopene is a type of carotenoid. This potent antioxidant gives a red color to plant foods such as tomatoes and watermelon and is linked to many health benefits.
Lycopene is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world, that can protect your body against oxidative stress and offer some protection from certain environmental toxins and chronic diseases.
It lowers risk of inflammation, reduces risk of chronic disease, lowers risk of coronary heart diseases, delays onset of neurodegenerative diseases, can protect your body from the damage induced by pesticides and plays a role in preventing several types of cancer. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant.
Watermelon is a great supplier of beta-carotene, which is the form of vitamin A found in plants. Getting enough beta-carotene in your diet can aid in the prevention of macular degeneration, the leading cause of age-related blindness. Some evidence suggests that beta carotene might slow cognitive decline. Beta carotene might help older people retain their lung strength as they age.
Some studies have suggested that beta-carotene-rich fruits and/or vegetables have a lower risk of developing cancer or heart disease.
Watermelon helps prevent heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is one part of the spectrum of heat-related illnesses that begin with heat cramps, progresses to heat exhaustion, and finally to heat stroke. Heat stroke is not just about being a little overheated.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation where the body's cooling system fails. Watermelon, which is mostly water and contains electrolytes can help negate the effects of the heat in the summertime and potentially reduce the risk of suffering heat stroke.
Watermelon aids in detoxification. The high water content of watermelon can aid in detoxification and help rid the body of excess water and fluids, relieving uncomfortable bloating and swelling. Potassium and magnesium are also important for detoxification.
Potassium acts as an electrolyte and promotes circulatory health while also helping to manage blood flow and hydration levels within the body, allowing oxygen to reach our cells.
At the same time, magnesium reduces water retention in the gut to beat bloating. Watermelon, as its name implies, is a good source of pure water and serves as an excellent diuretic.
It detoxifies the liver and kidneys and reduces bloating, especially in those who gain weight due to hormonal imbalancesTips for using watermelon Whole watermelons will keep for 7 to 10 days at room temperature. Every part of a watermelon is edible, even the seeds and rind.
Watermelons are usually consumed fresh in slices, diced in mixed fruit salads, or as juice. Watermelon juice can be blended with other fruit juices. It can be added raw to any type of salad including fruit salads and ones with leafy greens.
In Egypt, the sweet taste of watermelon is often paired with the salty taste of cheese.
African cuisine treats the watermelon as a vegetable and uses the entire fruit: seeds, rinds, and flesh. The seeds have a nutty flavor and can be dried and roasted, eaten as snacks, or added to dishes or ground into flour for use in baked goods. The rind can be stir-fried, stewed, candied, pickled, or grilled.
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