A large green bark and red and juicy pulp: the watermelon likes most people for its rich and sweet flavor.
The sensation of freshness in the heat of summer, which gives the aqueous pulp and the benefits for the whole body, if, of course, the berries will be fresh and of good quality, without nitrates and pesticides.
Description
Sandía – A berry belonging to the family of pumpkin crops, known for humanity since ancient times. You can find images of it in the frescoes of the walls of the Egyptian pyramids. The watermelon was especially appreciated in ancient China, whose inhabitants knew how useful this berry is for the organism, and even assigned a “watermelon day” on the calendar.
The size, as for a berry, is gigantic. It is covered with a dense green bark, the pulp is red, juicy, with many white and glucose grains. In the pulp there are also seeds, similar to pumpkin, but dense and brown, which are used to sow the berry.
Chemical composition
It is difficult to find a product that combines many vitamins, minerals, macroements and beneficial trace elements. The watermelon contains (its amount in 100 g of pulp)
- vitamins C, pp, b;
- carotene (0. 1 mg);
- folic acid (8 micrograms);
- fiber (0. 4 g);
- potassium (100 mg);
- Licopeno, a substance that gives the pulp its red color, helps prevent cancer cells and is a natural antioxidant;
- iron (1 mg)
- Magnesium (12 mg)
- phosphorus (7 micrograms);
- sodium (16 mg);
- calcium (14 mg);
- organic acids (0. 1 g);
- ashes (0. 4 g).
Water represents more than 90%, with a pulp content of 92. 6 g.
Caloric value
This large and juicy berry has a minimum caloric value of 27 kcal per 100 g. Thanks to its low caloric content and its great satiating power, which is due to the presence of fiber, watermelon is used as a means of fighting obesity.
Properties
This berry, associated with summer and carefree childhood, can improve humor, normalize the functioning of internal organs and help in the fight against overweight. In addition to the glory of watermelon as a powerful diuretic, this berry has a series of other positive properties that contribute to the fight against many diseases and the prevention of its appearance.
Benefits
The watermelon helps to clean the toxins and impurities organism, is rich in vitamins and minerals, and as sweet can be consumed by diabetic people. Not only is the pulp useful, but also the seeds, which consist of 25% of oil, which is almost identical to almond oil in its chemical properties. What is useful for watermelon:
- Normalizes intestinal peristalsism.
- It favors the excretion of toxins and waste products.
- Activate the hematopoiesis process.
- It reduces the probability of diabetes and a series of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Improves and accelerates metabolism.
- Beneficial effect on the skin.
- Normalize blood pressure levels.
- Normalize the liver and kidneys.
Due to the watermelon in vitamin C, the use of berries promotes the easiest and faster course recovery of colds.
For a variety of ailments
The medicinal properties of watermelon are recommended for the following diseases:
- obesity;
- Ferropenic type anemia
- drop;
- Urolithiasis;
- cystitis;
- arthritis;
- pyelonephritis;
- Atherosclerosis;
- allergic reactions;
- High levels of blood cholesterol.
Regular product use helps reduce the intensity of the symptomatic frame and prolongs the remission period.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The pulp contains a high concentration of folic acid, very useful for the female body. This substance is extremely necessary for the normal development of the fetus. Watermelon is a treasure of vitamins and mineral elements, which the body of a pregnant woman needs.
It is not prohibited, but is even recommended to infants. The only thing is to add it to the diet gradually, so that its single quantity does not cause the appearance of allergies or colic in the baby.
In addition, the minimum caloric contribution of the watermelon and its high satiating power will allow the pregnant woman to control her weight. The watermelon will eliminate the stomach burning and stop the edema.
Overweight
The watermelon helps in the fight against overweight. Not in vain there are monodietas and days off, which are among the most effective in the fight against obesity. The juicy berry has a minimum of calories, while satisfying very well thanks to its large amount of fiber. A couple of slices will fill your stomach, eliminating hunger for a long time.
The watermelon monodieta lasts 5 days, during which you can only eat this berry (2 small slices of black bread are allowed). The result is a loss of 4-8 kg, depending on the initial weight. The daily amount of pulp is 2 kg.
Watermelon download day is suitable for those who want to lose several kilos in a single day. The amount of watermelon that must be eaten for 24 hours is calculated according to the scheme: 2 kg of watermelon pulp per 30 kg of weight.
For men
Seeds are the most useful for men. They contain many vitamins and mineral elements, in particular citrulin, the beneficial substance for the State and the functioning of blood vessels. Watermelon normalizes blood pressure by dilating the walls of blood vessels and increases the body’s resistance to stress.
The seeds have a positive effect on the genitourinary system. Its regular use together with the pulp restores and strengthens the power, prevents the development of inflammation. With the frequent use of watermelon it reduces the risk of adenoma of the prostate and cancer.
Damage and possible contraindications
However useful the juicy pulp was, it is necessary to use it in moderation, so as not to cause side effects. The watermelon satisfies, reducing hunger. On the one hand, this effect helps in the fight against obesity; On the other, it can lead to serious consequences on diabetic people.
Diabetics and people with kidney diseases must take into account the high sugar content of the pulp, since an excess of watermelon can test the kidneys.
Consuming watermelon in large quantities of regular manner can cause constipation, since the pulp contains a lot of fiber. Do not forget the contraindications of eating a big berry:
- The alteration of urine deviation
- Presence of large renal calculations
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- flatulence;
- pancreatitis
Watermelon is prohibited in the presence of an allergic reaction to it.
Particularities
The juicy red pulp is known not only as a tasty and healthy dessert. This berry, thanks to its beneficial properties, is used in popular medicine, cosmetology.
In popular medicine
Watermelon is a wel l-known natural scar used in the treatment of many diseases. The green shell is used in the treatment of cholelithiasis, in the following recipe:
- The watermelon cortex dries and crushes. To prepare the medication, 5 tablespoons of the ingredient are needed.
- 1 liter of boiling water is poured on the pieces of peel. Put to the fire and bring to a boil.
- Leave over heat for 30 minutes. After cooling, filtering it.
- Take 250 ml of broth half an hour before food. Frequency of use per day – up to 5 times.
Sandia milk recipe for the treatment of irritable bladder and fevers: grind the seeds in a mortar. Pour 1 part of the seeds with 10 parts of water, crush the ingredients until a state similar to milk is obtained. Add sugar to the mixture to taste. Take up to 6 times a day in a dose of 1 teaspoon.
In cosmetology
Watermelon milk, used in popular medicine, is used in cosmetology to bleach freckles and age spots. The remedy applies 2-3 times on the skin, without clarifying with water.
The daily routine of rubbing a piece of juicy pulp in the face and area of the neckline will saturate the skin of nutrients and vitamins, hydrate it and make it stay fresh, beautiful and young. The juice can be used to make a gauze on it and putting it on the face for 20 minutes. After removing the compress, the face is washed and any facial cream is applied.
In the kitchen
The big berry is used not only in its fresh form. Based on the pulp, delicious alcoholic cocktails, kruchon and drunk watermelon are prepared. Many people also enjoy watermelon honey. Watermelon is also used in meat and vegetable dishes to give them an unusual flavor. The red pulp pieces are one of the main ingredients of the Macedonias.
The watermelon is living in barrels, and its acid taste perfectly complements the meat and fish dishes. And if you want to surprise your guests with something delicious and unusual, but you don’t have time to cook, just fry in a pan pieces of pulp with cheese and ham.
Possible side effects
Side effects may occur if the berry is consumed in excess or is of poor quality.
It can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems.
If the integrity of the cortex has been damaged, for example during transport or due to the triangle cut at the top as a sign of maturity, the germs will enter the pulp. Worse, sweet juice will attract green flies. The consumption of this type of watermelon promises, in the best case, diarrhea for a few days, and in the worst, the entry into the Department of Toxicology with a severe food poisoning.
It can increase glucose levels.
The pulp contains a lot of sugar, so diabetics must take it into account and limit to 1-2 slices a day.
It can increase the risk of inflammation of the liver.
This risk occurs if alcoholic beverages with watermelon pulp are abused. This combination causes oxidative processes and inflammation of the liver.
Can cause overhydration and water poisoning
The pulp is composed of 95% water, and if you eat too much watermelon at once, the kidneys and urinary system will stop supporting the effort. The body will begin to get rid of excess fluid by vomiting and excessive diarrhea.
It can cause problems in the cardiovascular system.
Potassium, which is in the berry, has a positive effect on heart muscle and vascular system. But its excessive accumulation in the body due to excessive watermelon consumption can cause slow heart rate, heart rate malfunction and cause arrhythmias.
Peculiarities of watermelon storage
Late berries in the refrigerator or basement, at a temperature of 3 0 C to 5 0 C can be stored from 10 to 15 weeks. Early varieties can be stored from 1. 5 to 2 months in the same conditions, provided that the skin is intact. The cut watermelon should only be kept in a cool place for a maximum of 2 days. The cut berry can be kept at room temperature for no more than 2-3 hours.
Watermelon slices wrapped in transparent film can be kept in the freezer up to 12 weeks. However, in the future the product will only be suitable for preparing juices, smoothies or kiss.
Sandia is a delicious and very healthy berry that smells like summer and childhood. This product is incredibly useful, eliminates toxins and impurities, helps to get rid of excess weight, to prevent many diseases. But it is necessary to use correctly and in moderation, paying special attention to the quality of the berries. It will only be useful seasonal watermelon, which has no nitrates.
