Watermelon belongs to the melon family, and is used in every country. The ancient Arabs considered it to be the most useful melon crop, washing out illnesses and harmful substances from the body. Consider what the benefits and harms of watermelon are for human health, where it is used and what calorie content it has.

Useful properties of watermelon

Everyone loves watermelon, without exception. Children wait for summer and autumn to enjoy its palatability, and women to experience new diets due to their low calorie content.

Scientists spent a lot of time studying the qualities of watermelon and its classification. As a result, it was found that the product is not a fruit or vegetable, but belongs to the family of gourds.

Also, scientists have identified such beneficial properties of watermelon:

  • It is enriched with vitamins and minerals.
  • After consumption, useful substances interact with each other, accumulate energy and act like a sorbent that removes toxins from the body.
  • Folic acid, which is part of the watermelon, relieves stress, improves cerebral circulation, memory.
  • Fiber restores the functionality of the digestive system.

In addition, watermelon has diuretic properties. With regular use of watermelon, stones that appear in the gall bladder can be removed.

The benefits of peel and sunflower seeds

Usually, the peel and seeds are thrown into the waste, because people do not know that not only the pulp has useful properties.

The benefits of watermelon seeds

Seeds are enriched with healthy fats: linolenic, linoleic, carboxylic acid. They make oil similar to vegetable.

Women use it for:

  • Restoring hair structure, acid-base balance.
  • Disposal of toxins.
  • Intensify renal function.
  • Treatment or prevention of diseases of the genitourinary system.
  • Enrichment of the body with vitamins, micro and macrocells.

It is very useful to eat watermelon for people who have problems with the nervous system or blood vessels, because the product contains niacin and arginine, which regulates blood pressure, normalizes blood texture and improves mood.

The benefits of watermelon peel

Watermelon peel is usually thrown away without thinking that it is no less useful than the flesh.

In traditional medicine, decoctions and infusions are prepared from it, used as:

  • Expectorant.
  • Cholagogue.
  • Diuretic.
  • Pain medication.
  • Cleaning agent.

Watermelon peel has such properties due to its amino acids, pectin, proteins, bioactive substances, chlorophyll and fiber. It has less moisture and sucrose, therefore it is considered more useful compared to pulp. Therefore, there is a watermelon and it is very useful to use its peel in order to provide the body with a restoring and healing effect.

Calorie content of watermelon and weight loss

It is watermelon that is considered the most useful product used in medicine and cooking. It has a calorie content of 38 kcal and absolutely does not have harmful substances in its composition, therefore it is welcomed to maintain the functioning of the kidneys.

If you use at least 1-2 days a week for 2-2.5 kg. watermelon, the stomach will feel full, and harmful substances will come out of the body, thereby simplifying the work of the kidneys and improving overall well-being.

Every 100 grams watermelons contain such useful elements:

  • Iron - 1 mg.
  • Magnesium - 224 mg.
  • Phosphorus - 7 mg.
  • Potassium - 65 mg.
  • Calcium - 14 mg.
  • Sodium - 16 mg.

For dietary purposes, watermelon is used, because it is able to saturate the body, having a minimum energy value:

  • Fructose, sucrose, glucose - up to 13 mg.
  • Protein - 0.7 g.
  • Fiber - 0.5 g.
  • Carbohydrates - up to 13 g.
  • Pectin - up to 1 g.

Therefore, drinking watermelon regularly can quickly reduce body weight and improve the body. However, it is not worth getting carried away with gourds. To achieve this goal 2.5 kg are enough. watermelon per day. Exceeding this dose will begin to wash out not only harmful, but also beneficial substances.

Watermelon in the treatment of diseases

For medicinal purposes, you can use the whole watermelon: pulp, peels and seeds, because they all have their own effect. Their use is able to reduce fever, strengthen the body, improve intestinal efficiency and metabolism, relieve inflammation without loading the body with medicines.

  • A decoction of dried watermelon peels is very useful for treating the kidneys and gall bladder. You can dry the peel in the shade or in the oven, and then rub it into powder. The finished mass must be filled with water in the proportions: 1 tbsp. boiling water / 1 tbsp. l watermelon powder. The resulting liquid should be kept for half an hour under a lid in a warm place, and then drink 20 minutes before eating.
  • People suffering from diabetes (even insulin-dependent) will need to eat fresh watermelon. It practically does not affect the amount of sugar in the blood, but can raise the mood and have a strengthening effect on the body.
  • From worms, crushed watermelon seeds help well. Their regular use has a preventive and therapeutic anthelmintic effect.
  • For joint diseases, it is recommended to eat 3-4 folds of watermelon 2 r. per day. The berry will cleanse the body of salts that are the cause of malaise.
  • In case of hepatic, biliary diseases, 2-2.5 kg should be taken. watermelon per day. He will dissolve the stones and remove them, along with toxins, toxins in a painless way.
  • Intestinal inflammation is treated with a decoction of dried watermelon peels. 1 tbsp. lpour a glass of boiling water, stand it for 60 minutes, and then drink 1/3 tbsp., with intervals between doses - 1.5-2 hours.
  • Those suffering from osteochondrosis or vascular dystonia are required to make watermelon baths. It will take a day to take a bath in which 200 gr. pulp and peel. The course of treatment is 2 weeks, but in severe forms of the disease, therapy can be extended for another 7-10 days.
  • To reduce body weight, you will need to eat 0.5 kg daily. pulp.
  • In order to drastically reduce weight (from 10 kg.), You need to switch to “watermelon” food once a week. It will take to eat a watermelon 2 days in a row. Any other food is strictly prohibited. It is allowed to drink green tea.

This product is able to have a comprehensive effect on the body. That is why, in addition to drug therapy, it is recommended to turn to treatment with watermelons. However, with a slight ailment, for example, not chronic vegetative-vascular dystonia, which appeared against the backdrop of stress, it will be enough to eat a little watermelon and take a bath with it.

Useful properties during pregnancy

Given the rich composition of watermelons, they should be consumed by each person, but to a pregnant woman it will be twice as useful.

Doctors working in the antenatal clinic strongly recommend consuming gourds to expectant mothers for the following reasons:

  • The berry removes fluid from the body, therefore, the woman who uses it will not suffer from swelling.
  • Restores metabolism.
  • It removes harmful substances.
  • It has a preventive antipyretic effect.
  • Good effect on the nervous system.
  • Normalizes the level of hemoglobin (provided that it is not reduced to critical values).

The vitamins contained in the berry will be delivered simultaneously to the expectant mother and the fetus, making it strong and healthy. This is the benefit of watermelon for pregnant women. But so that he does not harm it is better to buy it during the ripening period - August - September. Purchased fruits before and after this period are most likely to be saturated with nitrates, which are contraindicated in humans, especially pregnant women. Therefore, choosing a melon crop for pregnant women, it is necessary to compress it and, if it starts to crack when pressed, it is safe for eating.

Cooking Application

Watermelon has good taste, so it is usually used as a standalone product.

However, in modern cooking, dishes and drinks made from it are also in demand:

  • Jam. The unusual taste of this dish will surprise any guest, family members.
  • Watermelon honey is made according to a special recipe. It serves as a great addition to many dishes.
  • Salty watermelon is well suited for meat products, pasta, fried potatoes.
  • It is often added to salads to achieve a unique taste. Sometimes it is fried in a pan with ham and hard cheese.

In order not to throw away the crusts for which the money was paid, and thereby candied children make pampering. They will support the growing body of the child and become a favorite treat.

How to choose a delicious watermelon?

Of all the known fruits, berries, watermelon, the most difficult to choose, because it is both ripe and unripe looks the same.

In order for the fruit to bring maximum benefits and be tasty, when buying, you will need to pay attention to several factors at once:

  • Appearance (shape, color).
  • The sound coming from the berry.

It is also important to choose a product that has a minimum nitrate content, because they can harm the body. Let's take a closer look at how to choose a delicious and ripe watermelon.

The choice of appearance

When choosing a watermelon in appearance, it is first of all necessary to examine it for damage, a stalk and size.

  • A high-quality fruit should not have cracks, even small ones, because through them bacteria enter the berries, leading to intestinal disorders.
  • Next, pay attention to the stalk.If it is still green and not dry, then the fruit has not yet ripened and will not taste good, so it is better to pay attention to another berry.
  • The size of the fruit is of great importance, because too small a watermelon can turn out to be green, and a very large one can over-ripen, which affects the taste and usefulness of the fruit. It is best to choose medium-sized watermelons weighing 5-7 kg.

Watermelons are also divided into “girls” and “boys”. They differ in taste and shape. Boys have a flattened, elongated shape, and girls have a rounded shape. It’s best to choose girls especially for the table, because they taste sweeter and have small bones.

Color selection

Each person pays attention to the color of the purchased goods, including watermelon.

When buying, starting from color, you should pay attention to such criteria:

  • On the side of the fetus there should be a yellow spot, 5-10 cm in size. It should be necessary, because it indicates that the fetus sang for a long period under the sun, and not in the shade.
  • The stripes on the watermelon peel should be clear and should differ well from the main color of the berry.
  • Uneven color may indicate cultivation in unsuitable conditions and a damaged product.
  • Small white spots on the watermelon indicate its readiness for use.

In general, the color and shape of a watermelon affects the taste of the fetus, but you should not rely solely on these criteria. Additionally, you need to listen to what sounds the fruit makes.

Sound selection

Almost every buyer of a huge berry clutches it in his hands and knocks on it, but only a few know what they want to hear.

Let’s figure out which sound emanating from a watermelon testifies to its ripeness:

  • The sonorous one speaks of ripeness, and the deaf one speaks of an immature or already spoiled product.
  • Crackling when pressed indicates that the product is ready to eat.

To avoid an unpleasant purchase, it is recommended to purchase watermelons from sellers with a quality certificate for the distributed product. The document should contain information about the plantation where the fruit was grown, the amount of nitrates contained in the product, the timing of the harvest, whether it is suitable for use. You should also pay attention to the certificate itself. Printing on it should be only color! Black-and-white printing may turn out to be a fake, made on any image editor.

Who is not recommended for use and possible harm

The use of watermelon for a person is obvious, but despite the fact that it is 85% water, it still has contraindications. However, this does not mean that people should completely avoid its use. All they need to do is take it in small doses.

It is not recommended to eat gourds:

  • People suffering from improper outflow of urine.
  • With pyelonephritis, you should consult your doctor, about the use of berries, determine the dosage.
  • With increased gas formation or diseases of the digestive system, you can not eat a large number of melons at a time. You need to start with 1-2 folds and, if there is no deterioration, then you can add 1 fold to the diet.
  • With an allergy to melons, watermelon is strictly prohibited.

We examined the health benefits and harms of watermelon, and from this we can conclude that a person who does not have contraindications for use should use it during the ripening period (late summer or early fall). Then, the gourd is able to prepare the body for the winter regime and improve it.

Similar:More from the author: