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Challa Suresh
The Watermelon is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family,are fruits like cantaloupe, pumpkin and similar plants that grow on vines on the ground. The scientific name for watermelon is Citrullis lanatus.
The watermelon fruit, loosely considered a type of melon, has a smooth exterior rind (green, yellow and sometimes white) and a juicy, sweet interior flesh (usually pink, but sometimes orange, yellow, red and sometimes green if not ripe). If you have ever tasted a watermelon, it is probably no surprise to you why this juicy, refreshing fruit has this name.
Watermelon has an extremely high water content, approximately 92%, giving its flesh a crumbly and subtly crunchy texture and making it a favorite thirst-quenching fruit. Watermelon has always been a good source of vitamins A and C, and provides potassium and fiber.
Scientists indicate that watermelon contains high levels of lycopene-an antioxidant that may help the body fight cancer and prevent disease. Found only in select fruits and vegetables, lycopene is very effective at trapping cancer-promoting agents called free-oxygen radicals. A study conducted by Harvard University found that men who ate lycopene-rich diets of tomatoes and tomato products had a much lower risk of developing certain cancers, especially prostate cancer. Lycopene is found only in red watermelon varieties. In fact, it gives watermelon its red colour, thus, the redder the watermelon, the more lycopene it contains. We have always known that watermelon offers a number of benefits but as lycopene continues to emerge as a possible important, effective agent in disease prevention. In addition to lycopene, watermelon offers a host of other health benefits. It is fat-free, yet delivers 100 percent on the critical energy component found in functional foods.
Nutriton facts (per cup):
There are 46 calories, 1 gram of fiber in one cup of Watermelon
Macronutrients:
• Water: 140.83 g • Calories: 46 • Protein: 0.94 g • Carbohydrates: 11.63 g • Fiber: 0.6 g • Sugars: 9.55 g • Total Fat: 0.23 g • Saturated Fat: 0.025 g • Monounsaturated Fat: 0.057 g • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.077 g • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Micronutrients:
• Calcium: 11 mg • Iron: 0.37 mg • Magnesium: 15 mg • Phosphorus: 17 mg • Potassium: 172 mg • Sodium: 2 mg • Zinc: 0.15 mg • Vitamin C: 12.5 mg • Thiamin: 0.051 mg • Riboflavin: 0.032 mg • Niacin: 0.274 mg • Pantothenic Acid: 0.340 mg • Vitamin B6: 0.069 mg • Vitamin B12: 0 mcg • Folate: 5 mcg • Vitamin A: 876 IU • Vitamin E: 0.08 mg • Vitamin K: 0.2 mcg
Phytonutrients:
• beta Carotene: 467 mcg • beta Cryptoxanthin: 120 mcg • Lycopene: 6979 mcg • Lutein and Zeaxanthin: 12 mcg
Benefits:
Watermelon is not only delicious, but extremely healthy, as well. It is an excellent food for weight loss. It is very effective in promoting intestinal elimination, keeping the body free from toxic wastes. Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day, this delectable thirst-quencher may also help quench the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis. In fact, most melons are rich in potassium, a nutrient that may help control blood pressure, regulate heart beat, and possibly prevent strokes. Infact, potassium-rich diet helps keep salt from raising blood pressure and may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and possibly age-related bone loss.
Sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature. Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, notably through its concentration of beta-carotene. Both beta carotene with vitamin A help support good eyesight and prevent glaucoma.
High intakes of combined beta-carotene and vitamin C have demonstrated, through clinical and scientific studies, a propensity for warding off various cancers and heart disease, reducing arthritis symptoms, and minimizing asthmatic breathing problems.
A surprise nutrient is vitamin B, especially B1 (thiamine) and B6 (pyridoxine). Thiamine is important for maintaining electrolytes and nervous system signal transmissions throughout the body. Pyridoxine is essential for enzymatic functions that convert food into cellular energy.
Pink watermelon is also a source of the potent carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene. These powerful antioxidants travel through the body neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are substances in the body that can cause a great deal of damage. They are able to oxidize cholesterol, making it stick to blood vessel walls, where it can lead to heart attack orstroke. They can add to the severity of asthma attacks by causing airways to clamp down and close. They can increase the inflammation that occurs in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and cause most of the joint damage that occurs in these conditions, and they can damage cells lining the colon, turning them into cancer cells. Fortunately, vitamin C and beta-carotene are very good at getting rid of these harmful molecules and can therefore prevent the damage they would otherwise cause.
As a matter of fact, high intakes of vitamin C and beta-carotene have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, reduce the airway spasm that occurs in asthma, reduce the risk of colon cancer, and alleviate some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A cup of watermelon provides 24.3% of the daily value for vitamin C, and, through its beta-carotene, 11.1% of the DV for vitamin A.
Its juice is easily digestible and are completely absorbed for all its minerals, providing much needed nutrients to the body. The alkalinizing effect maintains the acid-alkaline balance in the body, neutralizing the toxic condition of the body resulting from excessive intake of acid-forming foods. Drawing from the rich anti-oxidant and beta-carotene, the health effects of watermelon juice are immense.
Health effects:
Asthma: The powerful anti-oxidant in watermelon reduces toxic matters in the body, that in turn reduces asthma attacks.
Arthritis: The rich beta-carotene and vitamin C content in this big fruit do wonders in quenching inflammation that contributes to conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Cholesterol: Watermelon juice is healthful in preventing cholesterol from clogging arteries and can increase HDL, the good cholesterol, reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases.
Constipation: Drink a big glass of watermelon juice. It is very effective in aiding the elimination of wastes. Consuming plenty of this red juice will do a lot of good.
Prostate Cancer: Lycopene (from red watermelons) has been extensively researched for its
anti-oxidant and cancer-preventing properties. It is reported to be especially protective against prostate cancer.
Bladder problems: Its cleansing and natural diuretic effect is totally healing for kidney and bladder problems
Heart attack: The combination of folic acid and the other essential vitamins in this fruit plays an important role in reducing the risks of heart attacks, strokes and colon cancer.
Itchiness: As watermelon juice cleanses the body of toxic wastes, it also greatly reduces itchiness that result from toxicity of acidosis
Fluid retention: Its diuretic action helps to eliminate excess fluids from the body, reducing water retention, especially for women during their monthly menstruation cycle and in pregnant women.
Skin Blemish: Use watermelon externally by applying a small piece liberally on your face. Leave for ten minutes, then wash off with warm water, followed by a splash of cold water.
Hence, friends Consume the Pink fruit for your Pink of health
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