I love spring and summer because there is nothing more satisfying and thirst-quenching than a slice of juicy, sweet, cold watermelon. Not only is watermelon fat-free, it is more than 93% water and able to satisfy your hunger and thirst.
The flesh of watermelon is usually red or pink and those colors are an indication of its rich source of the carotenoid, Lycopene. What might surprise you is that watermelon actually has about 60% more Lycopene than raw tomatoes – cooked tomatoes would have more lycopene. Not only is watermelon rich in this cancer-fighting carotenoid, it’s also a good source of vitamin C, fiber, L-Citulline, and potassium. Potassium is important for cardiovascular, brain, and kidney health which helps regulate body fluid retention. When L-Citrulline is consumed, it is converted to L-Arginine which is an amino acid that has beneficial effects on the heart, circulatory system, and the immune system. It also boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, playing a critical role in the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure.
Vitamin B, especially B1 (thiamine) and B6 (pyridoxine), is watermelon’s surprise nutrient. 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.
Watermelon also makes an excellent breakfast food and a morning cleansing tonic. That’s right, eating a large slice of watermelon first thing in the morning will make your liver and gallbladder smile! Watermelon is alkalizing, a great anti-parasitic food, and has the ability to detoxify your liver and digestive system. As with any melon, watermelon can be blended, juiced, or eaten solid.
One very important thing to remember about melons, including watermelon, is that they should always be eaten alone. All melons require 15-30 minutes to digest while other fruits take 1-2 hours to digest. Mixing watermelon with other fruits or other foods will slow its digestion causing toxins that cause you to feel weak and sleepy.
References:
Healing Through Cleansing Diet – Dr. Yakov Koyfman, ND
Naturalnews.com – Eat Watermelon to Lower your Blood Pressure
Mercola.com – Ten Healthiest Foods under $1.00
