Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb), family Cucurbitaceae is a vine-like (scrambler and trailer) flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind (exocarp) and fleshy center (mesocarp and endocarp). Pepos are derived from an inferior ovary, and are characteristic of the Cucurbitaceae. The watermelon fruit, loosely considered a type of melon – although not in the genus Cucumis – 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). It is also commonly used to make a variety of salads, most notably fruit salad.
Nutrition:
A watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. As with many other fruits, it is a source of vitamin C.
The amino-acid citrulline is also extracted from watermelon
Watermelon rinds, usually a light green or white color, are also edible and contain many hidden nutrients, but most people avoid eating them due to their unappealing flavor. They are sometimes used as a vegetable. In China, they are stir-fried, stewed or more often pickled. When stir-fried, the de-skinned and de-fruited rind is cooked with olive oil, garlic, chili peppers, scallions, sugar and rum. Pickled watermelon rind is also commonly consumed in the Southern US. Watermelon juice can be made into wine.
Watermelon is mildly diuretic and contains large amounts of beta carotene. Watermelon with red flesh is a significant source of lycopene.
Watermelon also helps in variety of medical conditions which are as under:
Kidney Disorders:Water Melon contains a lot of potassium, which is very helpful in cleaning orwashing off the toxic depositions in the kidneys. Moreover, it is helpful inreducing concentration of uric acid in the blood, thereby reducing the chancesof kidney damages and formation of renal calculi in it. Added to these, beinghigh in water content, it induces frequent urinating, which is again helpfulfor cleaning of kidneys. Also, the anti oxidants present in ensure good healthof kidneys for a long.
High Blood Pressure:A good amount of Potassium and magnesium, present in water melons, are verygood in bringing down the blood pressure. The carotenoids present in themprevent hardening of walls of arteries and veins, thereby helping reduce bloodpressure.
Prevent Heat Stroke:Water melon is effective in reducing your body temperature and blood pressure.Many people in the tropical regions eat the fruit daily in the afternoon during summers to protect themselves from heat stroke. In India, you will find thefruit being sold by vendors in almost every street during summers.
Diabetes:Diabetes patients, who are supposed to have low energy and low sugar diet,often complaint about starving since they don’t get to eat their staple diet totheir full, giving them a feeling of keeping half fed. Water Melons can be agood supplement for them. In spite of being sweet in taste, a thick wedge willgive you very few calories, since ninety nine percent of its total weight iscomposed of water and roughage. Moreover, the various vitamins and mineralssuch as potassium and magnesium help in proper functioning of insulin in thebody, thus lowering the blood sugar level. Arginine, another component found inwater melons, is very effective in enhancing impact of insulin on sugar.Diabetes patients can also have curries, steaks, salads made from water melon rinds which are even lower in sugar.
Heart Care:Lypocene, a carotenoid found in abundance in water melon, improves cardiacfunctions. Beta carotene, known for its remarkable anti oxidant and anti aging properties, also keeps you young at the heart and prevents age related cardiac problems. The roughage in water melon and its very low energy, with help from vitamin-C, Carotenoids and potassium (potassium cuts the risk of a heart attack), help reduce cholesterol and keep heart safe.
Macular Degeneration:Beta carotene, vitamin-C, Lutein and Zeaxanthin. They ensure protection of eyes from macular degeneration. These anti oxidants protect eyes from other age related ailments such as drying up of eyes and optical nerves, glaucoma etc.
Impotence: Arginine, present in water melon, is beneficial in curing erectile dysfunction.
Other Benefits:Lypocene is found to be effective in preventing cancer, prostrate growth andrepair damaged tissues. Water melon seeds are rich in good fats and proteins.Water melons also contain phytonutrients which have very good effect on the health and proper functioning of internal organs, eyes, secretion system etc.
