Secrets of Watermelon Juice

You may think that watermelons are just for quenching your thirst on a hot summer's day . However, although a watermelon is mainly made up of water it has some  health benefits too.

The thing about a watermelon is that it is large and you have to buy a whole one. You should look for ones that have a slightly paler side than the rest of the rind, as this indicates that the melon has been left to become fully ripe. The side will be paler because this is the part of the fruit that has been resting on the ground. The rind shouldn't be too shiny or dull either.

To make the juice, you need to take out the seeds  and you can dry them as they are a useful source of protein and dietary fibre. They also contain the minerals phosphorous, zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and copper as well as sodium and some of the B-complex vitamins. Don't throw them away. 

Don't throw the rind away either as it is a good source of citrulline which is a precursor to arginine, which has been shown to increase the blood circulation around the body and to increase glucose metabolism and insulin secretion, making it valuable in Type-2 diabetes. It can lower high blood glucose levels and can also help men with erectile dysfunctions as can watermelon juice and flesh. Citrulline can boost the levels f nitric oxide in the body and this relaxes the blood vessels, which means that circulation is increased and an erection is more likely to take place, if the erectile dysfunction is not caused by psychological problems. You can use the rind to make a delicious pickle, which is an old recipe from the southern states of America.

Watermelon juice contains vitamins C, E and A along with some of the B-complex vitamins and folate, biotin and the minerals copper, potassium, iron, phosphorous and zinc, making it very healthy for everyone but for men's sexual health especially.

It contains the phytonutrient, lycopene which makes it red, along with the beta-carotene present in it in the form of Vitamin A. Lycopene has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer and has been called a natural Viagra, so watermelons have the potential of being aphrodisiacs.

Lycopene and beta-carotene need heat to unlock their potency, so it is best to store your watermelon at room temperature rather than have it in the fridge. These substances give fruit their red colour, so tomatoes are an excellent source too as are red raspberries and strawberries and apricots, among other fruit.

Watermelons were first cultivated in ancient Egypt it is believed; they feature in wall paintings in the pyramids and were buried with the pharaohs, indicating that they were held in high esteem, probably because of their thirst-quenching abilities or perhaps because of their medicinal properties which we have been slow in discovering.

Why not get a watermelon next time you go on a shopping expedition and juice it to get the benefits from this beautiful, juicy red fruit? And don't throw any part of it away- everything has its health benefits- even the rind.