Although watermelon is a fruit originally from Africa, and some believe it can be traced back to the early Egyptian civilization where there is evidence in the hieroglyphics on the wall paintings. It has also been found in the Mediterranean regions. Needless to say it has been adopted by countries all over the world. Why shouldn't it be? It is not just a very cool thirst quencher but is packed with numerous healing and nutritive benefits.As a member of the Cucurbitaceous family, the watermelon is related to the cantaloupe, squash and pumpkin, other plants that also grow on vines on the ground. Watermelons can be round, oblong or spherical in shape and feature thick green rinds that are often spotted or striped.
The many nutritional benefits of this sweet and juicy vegetable includes:
· It is fat free.
· It has very low sodium content.
· It is Cholesterol free.
· It is a good source of Vitamins A & C
Watermelon consists of more than 91% of water and nearly 8% sugar.
The American Heart Association has certified watermelon to be one of the constituents of a sensible low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet. Watermelon has a cooling effect all through the body.
• Good source of Vitamin C, Vitamn A, and Vitamin B6
• Good source of lycopene that helps fight cancer
• A natural antioxidant
• An excellent source of water as it is 90% water
• Because this food has a higher water content and lower calorie content than many other fruits (a whole cup of watermelon contains only 48 calories), it delivers more nutrients per calorie-an outstanding health benefit!
Enzymes like lycopene, beta carotene and phyto-nutrients are known to be present in Watermelon. The most important of the phyto-nutrients is the citrulline which has amazing positive effects in our body like relaxing the blood vessels. This citrulline gets transformed in arginine after combining with certain enzymes in our body after watermelon is consumed. Arginine, an amino-acid that not only that helps blood circulation and boosts the immune system but is also excellent for heart.
“The citrulline-arginine relationship helps heart health, the immune system and may prove to be very helpful for those who suffer from obesity and type 2 diabetes,” said Patil. The red variety of watermelon contains high concentrations of Lycopene, an anti-oxidant that helps to reduce the risk of many diseases. Lycopene and beta-carotene are compounds called carotenoids, which are highly colored pigments that help protect plants against damage from sunlight. These antioxidants neutralize the harmful free radicals in the human body. Free radicals in the human body cause great deal of damage by oxidizing cholesterol and making it stick to the blood vessel walls, eventually leading to heart attack or stroke. Lycopene in watermelons get rid of these thereby reducing the risk of other fatal diseases such as asthma attacks, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, protection against macular degeneration, colon cancer and other heart diseases.
"The watermelon is the most gentle stuff I've found. It has sufficient fruit sugar for your brain and it is nicely alkaline and full of electrolytes." Dr. Tamzon Feeney
And, if that's not enough, here is a list from Juicing for Health:
Nutritional Benefits
The water content in watermelon is extremely high at 92%. It is rich in beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin B5 and smaller amounts of B1, B2, B3 and B6.
This big fruit is a rich source of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and smaller amounts of copper, iron and zinc.
As in tomatoes, watermelon is loaded with lycopene, the red carotenoid pigment that gives it the red color. This important anti-oxidant is powerful in neutralizing harmful free radicals in our body.
Health Benefits
Watermelon is basically very cleansing, alkalinizing, diuretic and mineralizing. It is very effective in promoting intestinal elimination, keeping the body free from toxic wastes.
Its juice is easily digestible and are completely absorbed for all its minerals, providing much needed nutrients to the body.
The alkalinizing effect maintains the acid-alkaline balance in the body, neutralizing the toxic condition of the body resulting from excessive intake of acid-forming foods.
Drawing from the rich anti-oxidant and beta-carotene, the health effects of watermelon juice are immense.
Asthma: The powerful anti-oxidant in watermelon reduces toxic matters in the body, that in turn reduces asthma attacks.
Arthritis: The rich beta-carotene and vitamin C content in this big fruit do wonders in quenching inflammation that contributes to conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Bladder problems: Its cleansing and natural diuretic effect is totally healing for kidney and bladder problems
Cholesterol: Watermelon juice is healthful in preventing cholesterol from clogging arteries and can increase HDL, the good cholesterol, reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases.
Constipation: Drink a big glass of watermelon juice. It is very effective in aiding the elimination of wastes. Consuming plenty of this red juice will do a lot of good.
Fluid retention: Its diuretic action helps to eliminate excess fluids from the body, reducing water retention, especially for women during their monthly menstruation cycle and in pregnant women.
Heart attack: The combination of folic acid and the other essential vitamins in this fruit plays an important role in reducing the risks of heart attacks, strokes and colon cancer.
Itchiness: As watermelon juice cleanses the body of toxic wastes, it also greatly reduces itchiness that result from toxicity of acidosis.
Prostate Cancer: Lycopene (from red watermelons) has been extensively researched for its anti-oxidant and cancer-preventing properties. It is reported to be especially protective against prostate cancer.
Skin Blemish: Use watermelon externally by applying a small piece liberally on your face. Leave for ten minutes, then wash off with warm water, followed by a splash of cold water.
All parts of watermelon are edible. The rind is used for making sweet pickles and the seeds can be baked and salted.
As for Colour Therapy, watermelon would fall into the Red realm, with the most talked about red bonus nutrient is lycopene. And for the Chakras, Red is for the Root Chakra Muladhara (Sanskrit: मूलाधार, Mūlādhāra). Health Associations: Responsible for body systems that provide physical structure, allowing for meaningful contact with the Earth: joints, bones, muscle, legs, and feet. Oversees the "boundaries" of the body through an internal and external defense system represented by the immune system and skin.
Me, well I am having stomach issues, i.e., leaky gut, stomach lining irritated, inflammation, gastritis, too much acid? I don't know, pick one or a combination of a few, but it was suggested that I try this amazing food for 10 days, I must confess, I am on day 5 and already feel much better!
Some references but not limited to:
Chakra Tonics-Elise Collins
The Color Code-Daniel Nadeau, M.D & James Joseph, Ph.D
What Color is your Diet?- David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.
Eating By Color-Williams-Sonoma
Wonderfoods-Natalie Savona
The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia-Rebecca Wood
http://fruitvegihealing.blogspot.com/2006/10/watermelon-juice-sweet-treat-with.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/274895/the_healthful_benefits_of_watermelon.html?cat=5http://www.juicing-for-health.com/watermelon.html
