Watermelon is the fruit of the summer for excellence: fresh, refreshing and not only! In addition to having very few calories, it also has many beneficial properties: it’s diuretic and helps to lose weight!
Watermelon (Cucumis citrullus) belongs to the Cucurbitacee family, such as melon and cucumber. It’s one of the most thirst-quenching fruits: it contains 92% of water, and it can reach large sizes by weighing up to 20 pounds. The outside is hard and smooth, green with lighter streaks, while the pulp is res, its seeds are edible and rich in mineral salts. There are two main varieties of watermelon: the Sweet Crimson that comes from America and is the most cultivated in Italy, and the Sugar Baby, a smaller watermelon with the whole green skin without streaks.
A particular type, uncommon in Italy but we can find it in North America, is the yellow watermelon called pineapple watermelon, outside it’s green like normal watermelons, but inside it’s yellow and has a more exotic flavor. The most important active ingredient in watermelon is lycopene that gives to the fruit its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Let’s discover the benefits that this fruit rich in minerals and vitamins brings to our body.
Beneficial properties of watermelon
Diuretics: eating watermelon, better off away from meals, helps to purify our body by eliminating excess toxins. This is also a valuable help to counteract cellulite, as well as being beneficial to kidneys health.
It helps to lose weight: many ask themselves if the watermelon makes you gain weight because they think it’s a fruit rich in sugars. This is wrong, because watermelon contains few sugars, and mainly fructose, but also because it has few calories. This makes it an ideal fruit in low-calorie food regimens. Following the watermelon diet you can lose up to 7 pounds in a week. The food regime will be balanced and varied and, to make a difference, will be a snack with watermelon, in cubes, in a fruit salad or as a smoothie.
It fights hypertension and reduces cholesterol: potassium and citrulins contained in watermelon can regulate blood pressure, so it’s useful in case of hypertension. In addition, thanks to the fiber and water content, it helps the blood to be more fluid by reducing cholesterol, thus also preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Useful in case of constipation: the slightly laxative action makes this fruit ideal for those who suffer from constipation and lazy intestines.
It keeps the skin younger and healthier: watermelon is rich in beta carotene that helps the skin stay young, thanks to both hydration and cell regeneration. In addition, vitamin A and vitamin C stimulate the production of collagen by bringing benefits to skin and hair that are stronger and brighter.
You can eat in the event of diabetes: those with diabetes must also be careful to the fruits that contain many sugars. Watermelon contains fructose, a quick-absorbing sugar that is well tolerated by diabetic sufferers. The rule is always to not overdo it, but eating a slice of watermelon as a snack is certainly not a danger.
Nutritional values
Watermelon – Quantity per 100 grams – Calories 30
Fat 0.2 g
Saturates 0 g
Polyunsaturates 0.1 g
Mono-unsaturates 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 1 mg
Potassium 112 mg
Carbohydrates 8 g
Fibers 0.4 g
Sugars 6 g
Proteins 0.6 g
Vitamin A 569 IU – Vitamin C 8.1 mg
Calcium 7 mg – Iron 0.2 mg
Vitamin D 0 IU – Vitamin B6 0 mg
Vitamin B12 0 μg – Magnesium 10 mg
How to grow watermelon in vase.
Watermelon is a fruit to plant in the spring to be harvest in August, the species reccommended for those who want to sow it is the Baby one, also known as dwarf watermelon. To grow, this fruit needs heat and a terracotta pot that is at least 50 cm in diameter. It also needs well drained garden topsoil, even putting clay on the bottom of the vase will help to avoid water stagnation.
Place some seeds in the soil, cover them and water them. The soil must always be a bit wet, but never too wet, it must also be fertilized as soon as the fruit comes out and until it grows completely.
Contraindications
Watermelon is contraindicated if you suffer from spastic colon because of its laxative properties, and you should eat it carefully even if you suffer from gastritis because it could accentuate the pain. Allergic and intolerant subject should also be careful, especially those who are allergic to the grasses. It’s not contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How to choose and store watermelon
Watermelon should be purchased in the period from May to September, and to verify that it’s mature at the right point, first check the skin that needs to be smooth and compact without any dents or darker parts. Then it’s always a good habit to knock lightly with the knuckles on the fruit: if the sound is empty then it’s mature at the right point. If it’s white or greenish on the bottom it means it’s unripe.
When the watermelon is still closed it would be better to store it at room temperature.
When we intend to consume it we can put it a little in the fridge, before opening it to taste it fresh. For conservation, if cut it in pieces, is best to put it in refrigerator containers and consume it within a day, otherwise cover it with plastic wrap and put it on the bottom of the fridge. Consume within a couple of days.
Watermelon: When eat it? Uses in kitchen and recipes
Watermelon should be eaten away from meals to enjoy the full flavor and enjoy its benefits. After lunch or dinner it could increase the feeling of swelling, due to the great water content. It’s also advisable not eat it too cold to prevent belly and stomach problems.
Watermelon is usually eaten in slices, cubes, fruit salads, and its pulp is often also used to accompany ice cream and desserts. You can also make refreshing sorbets and slushed.
Salted skewers with watermelon
A fresh and tasty recipe for the summer. Here’s what you need: watermelon, 150 gr of mozzarella in slices, 100 gr of smoked salmon, 50 gr of ham, 1 cucumber. Cut into cubes 3 slices of watermelon. Spread out the mozzarella and places over it the salmon. Now roll the mozzarella and cut it into slices, cut the cucumber and alternate on the skewer: mozzarella and salmon, cucumber, ham and watermelon. Your dish is ready to be served as an appetizer.
Watermelon sorbet
Watermelon sorbet can be a fresh after meal simple to prepare. What you need is: 600 gr of watermelon pulp, 100 gr of sugar, 1 lemon juice, 250 gr of water and 1 egg white. Prepare the watermelon pulp in the mixer and use a sieve to remove any pieces. Now prepare the syrup by placing the water in the pot on a slow fire, adding sugar. Boil, wait for 5 minutes and then turn off. Put it in a bowl and cool it. Place the watermelon pulp and the syrup in the fridge. Then squeeze a lemon and add the juice to the pulp with the syrup. Mix with the beaten egg white. Mix everything and pour it into ice-cream machine for about 30 minutes. It can be served immediately or stored in freezer for 4 days in a hermetically sealed container. If you don’t have ice cream machine, put the mixture into the freezer, and check it every half an hour by turning it and removing the ice on the surface.