Watermelon : general characteristics
The watermelon plant belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae and is an annual herb. The plant has a hairy stem and produces many fruits, sometimes even a hundred per plant, oval or round shape and almost all large. The fruits are also quite heavy and can weigh around 20 kg.
Watermelon or watermelon, which is also the fruit of the tree of the name, has a fairly tough bark, striped green color or spotted, and often occurs with yellow or white spots. Watermelon ripens in the period from June to September.
Watermelon: properties and benefits
Some properties of the watermelon makes it a perfect ally for your health. In fact, they are recognized in this fruit diuretic properties and, due to the high amount of water helps to combat cystitis and detoxify the bladder and kidneys. Also known laxative properties of the watermelon, due to the seeds and acting to combat hemorrhoids. Its nourishing, thanks to the high percentages of iron and vitamins, make it an excellent tonic for anemia, while its antioxidant properties regenerate the skin and fight free radicals, delaying skin aging. its anticancer properties also are very popular, especially in the case of prostate cancer and breast cancer. Its digestive properties regulate metabolism and its draining fight water retention, often causes swelling, and work against the accumulation of fluids responsible for cellulite.
The benefits obtained by the consumption of watermelon are extraordinary. In particular watermelon helps fight fatigue due to the amount of minerals in it and it is ideal to consume during the summer to cool and relieve. The high water content of watermelon makes it a perfect food diuretic and to purify the body. The diuretic activity, besides bringing benefits in case of water retention and reduce swelling, in fact, helps to purify and re balance your metabolism.
The watermelon also provides benefits in the diet: in fact, thanks to the low calorie intake, the watermelon is particularly recommended in slimming diets because it satiates and is not fattening. Thanks to its properties, including the total absence of fat, watermelon, watermelon is one of the most effective foods to fight cellulite. Valid also to strengthen the immune system, watermelon also brings many benefits in the fight against free radicals and fights effectively certain cancers, such as prostate for men and breast for women.
The presence of lycopene in watermelon also acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and its activity has also been linked to improved heart health and bone. It 'also an excellent regulator for the pressure and acts effectively in case of hypertension, thus avoiding damage to the cardiovascular system. Even blood circulation benefits from watermelon, which helps prevent the formation of fatty deposits in the veins and arteries. Scientists claim that, because of this specific capacity of the fruit, the improvements in blood circulation can extend you can also extend the sexual sphere and may be useful to counter erectile dysfunction.
The benefits of the watermelon also extend to the skin and hair:
in fact, thanks to vitamin A and beta-carotene, watermelon delays aging of the skin and keeps it elastic longer. In addition, Vitamin A also contributes to the health of our hair and, together with vitamin C, promotes the production of collagen, a basic substance of the structure of our connective tissues.
The watermelon brings benefits to muscle pain and regulates heart rate. It seems that the cause of these benefits can be attributed to citrulline and arginine.
Watermelon: nutritional values and calories
The calorie intake of watermelon, only 20 calories per 100 grams of fresh pulp.
Quantity per 100 grams:
Fat 0.2 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 1 mg
Potassium 112 mg
Calcium 7 mg
Magnesium 10 mg
Iron 0.2 mg
Carbohydrates 8 g
dietary fiber 0.4 g
Sugar 6 g
Protein 0.6 g
Vitamin A 569 IU
Vitamin C 8.1 mg
Watermelon: all uses
Watermelon is a fruit suitable for the preparation of summer salads and mixed with tomatoes, spinach, radishes, carrots, is really very tasty. Also great to also be compared with delicate meats such as roast turkey, or shellfish, to realize sophisticated recipes and exotic taste.
The watermelon is also a valuable ally for the beauty and is used for the preparation of homemade masks for skin regeneration: an effective solution is obtained by joining of watermelon pulp, milk and lemon juice.
The watermelon pulp is also useful to defeat the dark circles: just put two fresh slices on closed eyes and keep them on for 15 minutes to obtain excellent results. A recent study found that watermelon stored at room temperature is more nutritious than that stored in the fridge or even just one collection, which contains less than lycopene and beta-carotene. So before you serve the watermelon, it is advisable to take it out of the fridge a few minutes before serving. If too mature, even when stored at room temperature, for about 5-6 days, and if it is sliced it otherwise loses aroma you should consume in a day. Remember to wrap in plastic wrap before putting it in the fridge and it is not recommended to freeze it.
Watermelon: contraindications and side effects
The watermelon, as is well known, is poorly digestible: its digestibility is due to the high water content that inhibits a bit 'the work of the gastric juices as dilutes them. Take it between meals is the best solution and usually no problems since. E 'instead of the deprecated watermelon consumption for those people who have colon problems, as it can make the symptoms more pronounced. In addition, the daily over-consumption can cause nausea and diarrhea. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society is not advisable to consume more than 30 mg of lycopene per day, a substance that watermelon contains. The watermelon can be consumed during pregnancy but with caution.
