Few people know that watermelons work great on heart. All thanks to the lycopene contained in them. The watermelon has more of this valuable antioxidant than in fresh tomatoes. Check why you should eat watermelons in the summer.
Watermelons are associated with summer. Then there is a season. When the heat prevails, these fruits bring the best refreshment. Naturally, this plant comes from Africa, but it quickly spread to other continents. Currently, about 1,200 varieties of this fruit can be mentioned, bred almost all over the world.
Watermelons grow like pumpkins. These are creeping plants. They release long stems, reaching up to 5 m. They have large green leaves and individual yellow flowers, from which fruit grow. Watermelons, depending on the variety, can reach up to 60 cm and weigh 5 kg. Their skin is green, speckled, and the pulp takes color from light pink to red. It also contains white and dark stones, which, like the pulp They hide many valuable nutrients.
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In Poland, it is also possible to cultivate watermelon. It’s best to reach for varieties that give the best crop in our climatic conditions. These fruits are planted from seedlings. They require a minimum of 8 hours a day for optimal growth. Although watermelons grown in Poland are characterized by a sweeter taste, their cultivation is not carried out on a larger scale due to too competitive prices of imported fruit. However, nothing prevents you from To grow these sweet fruits in your own garden or pot on the balcony.
Watermelon, though in 95 percent consists of waterHowever, this contains a series valuable nutrientswhich are especially recommended for older ones. It will also be used by people regularly practicing sports.
Watermelon – except water – It also provides vitamins: A, E, from group Band also potassium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc and a little sodium. There is also a series in these fruits antioxidants and active substances such as lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxantine. The most valuable of them, however, is lycopene.
LIKOPEN is an antioxidant from a group of karetonoids. He is responsible for the red color of the watermelon pulp. It has an anti -aging, anti -inflammatory and anti -cancer effect. It is he who protects the circulatory system and the heart from the most popular diseases – atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. Its cardioprotective effects are supported by watermelon and citrulin contained in watermelon. Regular consumption of watermelon improves circulation – protects against the formation of blood clotsdilates blood vessels as well lowers blood pressure.
Watermelon is a fruit that irrigates perfectly, not only because of the high presence of water, but also minerals such as potassium and sodium. It is low in caloriewhich will certainly please people on slimming diet. This summer fruit is also good a source of vitamin C, which supports immunity, but also collagen production. In this way, it contributes to the improvement of the appearance of the skin and nails.
And how will athletes use a watermelon? In the pulp of this fruit there is a citrum, an amino acid that reduces muscle fatigue and supports the removal of lactic acid. After a hard training at the stadium or gym, it is worth eating a watermelon and not to remove stones from it. It is in watermelon seeds that are found substances that support muscle regeneration by better oxygenation. They also affect the growth hormone, which is useful during the period of building muscle mass.
Watermelon seeds also contain unsaturated fatty acids, B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, calcium, potassium and are a source of protein. All this affects them valuable antioxidant, anti -inflammatory, analgesic properties. In addition, they lower blood pressure. When eating a watermelon, it is not worth removing these valuable seeds from the pulp, unless they are sought in a pan and add for dessert with ice cream.
Watermelon can be eaten in the form of a snack as an addition to desserts, drinks or even salads. How much watermelon can you eat a day? There is no specific, safe amount. However, all you need to be moderate.
People with diabetes should be careful of watermelons. This fruit has a high glycemic indexwhich causes a rapid increase in blood sugar.
Like most seeds, they also contain watermelon a small amount of glycoside cyanogenouswhich in the body can transform into harmful hydrogen cyanide. Although its amount is small and does not hurt with normal consumption, yes In excess, it can have a negative impact on health.
Source: Gemini.pl, Terazpoczy.pl
