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Thursday 9 February 2012

Watermelon | Health Benefits for Juicy Fruit BY bruce bud

Watermelons were primarily grown on lighter soils in regions with warmer climates. Watermelons were a warm season crops consumed as dessert fruits and the rinds were used for making pickles and preserves. However, with increased market acceptance, better edible quality and long distance shipping adaptability, the growth of watermelons has increased worldwide. Certain breeds of watermelons have been developed to be more specific to regions of the world. The breeding has resulted in improved quality, which involves maximum sugar content, excellent flavor, and firm flesh with deep red color pigment due to the presence of lycopene.

The sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature. It reduces the risk of fatal diseases like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis. Watermelon is rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production. Watermelon is a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, and potassium. Watermelon has a high nutrient density due to the higher water content and lower calorie content than many other fruits. A rich source of vitamins A and C, watermelon also contains lycopene. Lycopene is a red pigment that occurs naturally in certain plant and algal tissues. In addition to giving watermelon and tomatoes their color it is an excellent anti-oxidant that can help prevent heart disease and some forms of cancer.

For those who do not like to consume fruits in general but have taken to it on account of health reasons, watermelons offer a lot of varieties to cheer about. This wonderful fruit can be consumed in various forms- as a fruit, as a snack, as a drink or smoothie, as desserts, pies, ice creams and what not! There are a number of recipes that can easily be prepared at home. Frozen watermelon desserts like the Americana Basket, Watermelon Popsicles, Watermelon Snow Cups make use of watermelons in combination with other fruits like strawberries, kiwi fruit, blueberries etc. The goodness of watermelon in combination with these nutritious fruits works wonders to provide almost all the necessary nutrients required by your body.

If desserts are not enough, you can select from the wonderful range of watermelon pies like the Harvest Watermelon Pie, Watermelon Pie A La Mode, or Watermelon Spice Pie. Besides one can always try out the amazing cakes and cookies for a quick bite - Watermelon Cup Cakes, Watermelon Coconut Cake with Raspberry Filling are some of the tasty bites that can be tried out. The watermelon salad is hugely popular as a brunch, especially among the health conscious. However, watermelon drinks and smoothies are the most popular drinks, especially in America. Not just pure watermelon juice, Watermelon Almond Sorbet and Watermelon Milk Sorbet are just as delectable.

Benefits:

1. Packed to bursting with antioxidants.
Watermelon has been blessed by the fruit god with lycopene. It's a super powerful antioxidant that makes watermelon red. Tomato and other red fruits and vegetables are also loaded with lycopene, however recent studies show watermelon to have the highest content of them all.

2. Say goodbye to the flu.
Long thought the realm of oranges, high Vitamin C is also one of the benefits of watermelon. This has the effect of boosting the immune system and slowing the body's aging processes down.

3. Rehydrate.
One of the great health benefits of watermelon is that it's high in electrolytes and 90% water. So rather than spending money and health on sugar electrolyte drinks, grab some watermelon! It's a healthy alternative and it tastes amazing.

4. Lose weight automatically.
When one of the health benefits is that watermelon 100% fat free, it's hard not to get excited. This means you can eat as much as you want and you will not get fat. Heck, you won't even put any weight on. So not only is this bright red fruit tasty and delicious, you can have a watermelon feast and you never have to worry about the waistline.

5. Cool yourself down.
All foods are either cooling or warming foods and have a large effect on the body temperature. It's simple - eat warming foods in winter and cooling foods in summer. So that means, eat and drink watermelon to your heart's content in summer. Take it to the soccer field, take it to the beach... take it everywhere if you like.

6. Watermelon... gives you wings!
Cough cough... that is, enormous amounts of energy. It's one of the amazing health benefits of watermelon, though unfortunately you probably won't be able to fly. If you do, well you might want to keep it quiet, otherwise we will have chaos in the air as everyone eats watermelon.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/watermelon-health-benefits-for-juicy-fruit-3388440.html

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