I love watermelon!!!

The health benefits of watermelon include the prevention of kidney disorders, high blood pressure, the prevention of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, heat stroke, macular degeneration and impotence.

The question is, why all love watermelon so much? We all know that there is nothing more refreshing than a big, chilled wedge of watermelon on a hot, summer day 🙂 You can add watermelon in a salad, make watermelon smoothie, juice, soup. Or make Watermelon Popsicles, use watermelon to make a fruit basket or even a raw watermelon cake. Possibilities are endless. So eat lots of watermelons in any form!

The scientific name of watermelon is Citrullus Lanatus. Watermelons are considered a vine-like flowering plant that is actually native to Southern Africa, and it is there that the wild varieties are in the greatest abundance, ranging from super sweet to bitter, and varying in size as well. They moved north to Egypt, and were cultivated in the Nile River Valley, and eventually moved east into China, roughly 1,000 years ago. Now, watermelon is grown around the world, and in 44 of the 50 states in America. It is specifically selected to grow larger and juicier, resulting in the huge fruits that many of us are familiar with. The green outer rind is hard and fleshy, and rarely eaten, while the interior is soft, red or pink flesh containing the many seeds; this is the part of watermelon which is typically eaten.

As for accessing the total medicinal benefits of watermelons, it is highly dependent on the variety of watermelon and the ripeness. Beta carotene and lycopene is usually bio-available in the highest quantities once the watermelon is completely ripe, and don’t be afraid to eat some of the watermelon rind; there are quite a few nutrients in there as well, particularly the roughage and fiber.

Nutritional Facts of Watermelons:

The long list of healthy or beneficial effects of watermelons are mainly derived from its unique nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds. These include significant amounts of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, fiber, protein, and a very large amount of potassium. Furthermore, they contain vitamin A, vitamin B6, niacin, thiamin, and a wide variety of carotenoids and phytonutrients, including lycopene!

Watermelon is very beneficial for the beautiful skin and healthy eyes.

Watermelon is very cleansing and great to eat when you are trying to detox your body. Drinking watermelon juice or smoothie will give you energy as well as clean your digestive system : ) 

Try adding watermelon to salads with spinach or arugula to make your lunch more exciting and yummy. 

*When buying a watermelon make sure you buy an organic one! Otherwise you are consuming so much pesticides.