Water Benefits and Nutrition Facts

Knocking on a giant fruit with the face of a connoisseur, but you have no idea what this sound means? Now we will tell the whole truth about watermelons.

The season of Kherson watermelons begins in August and ends at the end of September. Before and after that, a good watermelon can only be found among imported ones: melons are brought to us from Turkey, Greece, Israel and Thailand.

Experts have already examined watermelons this season and did not find any "nitrate". Not in shops, not on the market, not on the roads. Senior researcher Artem Sokolov stated that it is impossible to "pump up" watermelons in principle: "As soon as a puncture from a syringe appears in a watermelon, i.e. a "wound", it will start to rot. Neither melon growers nor sellers need rotten watermelons."

The fact is that nitrates are "growth vitamins", fertilizer. They are necessary only during the ripening period: the watermelon grows and feeds on them. By the time the fruit ripens, no extraneous substances will remain in it. It is possible to eat a watermelon with an increased amount of nitrates only if it is still green. And even then, most likely, they will be in the crust.

As for pesticides, without them the crop can die. Therefore, we have to put up with the presence of poisonous substances on the watermelon rind. However, pesticides practically do not reach the pulp - so just wash the fruit thoroughly before cutting.

They must be sold either in the store or in sales tents with an awning. Watermelons cannot be stored lower than 15 cm from the ground: through small cracks, along with dust, bacteria penetrate into the flesh and begin to multiply there.

You can't buy melons near the road either: they absorb car exhaust. For the same reason, never take already cut watermelons: they already have colonies of disease-causing microorganisms.

After slapping the fruit: the sound should be loud, similar to a vibration. If it is deaf, it means that the watermelon is overripe. If it is ringing, it means that it is not yet ripe. Choose a watermelon with the brightest yellow spot: it means that the fruit was picked in time. And do not take melons with a shiny crust: this means that they are not yet ripe. Look for matte.

In general, a dry tail is a plus. It means that the watermelon no longer needs moisture from the soil: it is already ripe. But by the time the fruit is brought to the place of sale, the tail will dry in any case. So the advice to look at the tails is relevant only if you live near a place where watermelons are grown.

Early watermelons can contain a large amount of nitrates that are dangerous for health. These substances decompose in the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea, vomiting and profuse diarrhea. In addition, nitrates can lead to serious metabolic disorders and oxygen starvation.

Watermelons and melons are favorite summer treats that are enjoyed by both children and adults. What could be better than a ripe, cool watermelon on a hot day!

This large striped berry can be seen already in June. Some cannot resist the temptation and happily buy a watermelon. However, doctors strongly recommend waiting with this. What is the danger of early watermelons?

Many people have heard about the benefits of watermelon. It really contains many vitamins, trace elements and other biologically active substances. Unfortunately, early watermelons are also high in nitrates.

Nitrates are salts of nitric acid that are added to mineral fertilizers. Plants actively use nitrates for growth. Early varieties of melon crops contain a fairly high concentration of nitrates (it can exceed the norm by ten times!), which poses a threat to human health.

So, you still enjoyed an early watermelon, which may well be a real "nitrate bomb". Nitrates cannot be determined by taste, but the negative consequences can be felt. So, what happens to the body if it gets a high dose of nitrates?

Nitrates contained in watermelon enter the stomach and then the intestines. Under the influence of intestinal microflora, nitrates are decomposed, and nitrites are formed from them - dangerous compounds that have an irritating effect on the intestinal mucosa. Irritation can be so significant that a person experiences nausea, vomiting and profuse diarrhea.

But these are far from all the troubles that nitrites bring us. These substances are able to oxidize hemoglobin iron. In this state, hemoglobin does not carry oxygen, oxygen starvation develops.

Nitrites disrupt the process of normal absorption of vitamins and trace elements in the intestines, and also contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals in the kidneys and liver.

As you can understand, nitrate poisoning is a big deal. Therefore, try not to take early watermelons. Better wait until the end of July, beginning of August when the season starts.

Do not miss the opportunity to get healthy in the season with this unique gift of nature.

Big berry season

During the season, it is a sin not to use the gifts of nature to fill the body with vitamins. Fruits are a huge source of all kinds of useful substances. Using them every day, we rejuvenate our body and become more energetic. Another great benefit of fruits is that they prevent many diseases and help us maintain good health for many years. We will now talk about one of these fruits. This is a watermelon - a huge berry available to us from mid-summer to the end of September.

Therapist of the highest category, gastroenterologist of the Medical Network "Dobrobut" Angela Korin : "There are no contraindications to the use of watermelons (of good quality, of course). Patients with diabetes can also include watermelon in their diet. It is only necessary to remember that this product belongs to the group with the content of 5-10 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. The same group includes grapefruit, apricots, oranges, tangerines, pears, peaches, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc. They are recommended to consume no more than 200 g per day.

What is the benefit of watermelon?

• The most valuable thing in a watermelon is its flesh. It contains the following vitamins: B1, B2, C, PP, folic acid, carotene. In addition, watermelon contains fiber, as well as trace elements: potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, etc. But one of the most valuable elements of this fruit is magnesium. It removes excess cholesterol from the body, thereby ensuring the elasticity of blood vessels, prevents the formation of stones, normalizes the work of the intestines, preserves muscle elasticity and prevents osteoporosis.
• Watermelon is a strong diuretic. It is recommended to use it to eliminate swelling in cardiovascular disorders. Watermelon juice and pulp are taken for cystitis, nephritis and pyelonephritis. It does not irritate the urinary tract and, unlike other diuretics, does not wash out potassium from the body.
• Watermelon juice perfectly "cleanses" the liver, removing toxins from it. It supplies liver tissue with sugars, so watermelon is effective in chronic hepatitis, cholecystitis, and biliary tract dyskinesia.
• Since watermelon pulp has the ability to absorb toxins, it helps to improve the intestinal microflora.
• Watermelon is also good for anemia, rheumatism, atherosclerosis, gout, hypertension, arthritis and obesity.

With all its indisputable advantages, it should be remembered that watermelons should not be enjoyed by people with increased acidity, as well as with diseases of the pancreas. People with heart disease, diabetes and those with kidney stones should use watermelon with caution.

Minus 7 kilograms in 5 days

Watermelon diet is an effective diet with which you can quickly get rid of extra pounds.

It has proven itself well because it not only gets rid of excess weight, but also cleanses the body of impurities. Why is the watermelon diet so popular? Well, first of all, 100 grams of ripe fruit contains only about 38 kilocalories. This diet does not involve starving yourself. Second, this diet is very simple. There is no need to count calories and make a menu. You only need to eat watermelon and nothing else. You can follow this diet for up to 5 days, no more. This time is enough to get rid of slags, excess liquid and unnecessary salts.

Blooming appearance .

Following a watermelon diet, you will notice how your complexion has improved, because everything that is good for the stomach is also good for the skin. Fruit juice and pulp are used in cosmetics.

In addition, regular consumption of watermelon:

• gives shine to hair;
• gives a feeling of lightness;
• improves the condition of nails;
• improves vision

The above properties of watermelon are due to the fact that this berry contains the most valuable antioxidant - lycopene. This substance has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and protects it from premature aging.

Do not rush to try

Remember that eating early watermelons can turn into poisoning for you. The berry may contain nitrates, which in the human body turn into dangerous substances - nitrites. Therefore, be patient and wait until mid-August, when you can buy a harmless watermelon with greater confidence.

In the summer heat, what could be nicer than the taste of juicy melon or refreshing watermelon?

However, choosing a watermelon or a melon is like winning the lottery: either you will get pleasure, or you will spend money and no pleasure.

Melon (Cucumis melo)

• Calorie content of melon: 33 kcal
• Squirrels: 0.6 m
• Fats: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 7.4 g

The calorie content of melon varies depending on the variety and growing conditions. On average, the calorie content is 33 kcal per 100 g of soft melon. Choosing a melon is really more difficult than other fruits. However, there are many signs of a ripe melon.

Your parents probably taught you that the best melons and watermelons seem hollow when you knock on them. Unfortunately, experts claim that this is an unreliable method, and there is no evidence that it is not just a legend. Instead, look for visual indicators that are easy to spot once you know what you're looking for.

Watermelon (Citrúllus lanátus)

• Calorie content of watermelon: 25 kcal
• Proteins: 0.6 g
• Fats: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 5.8 g

The calorie content of watermelon is 25 kcal per 100 g of pulp. Choosing a watermelon is really more difficult than other fruits. However, there are many signs of a ripe watermelon.

In general, melons and watermelons will not change much after being harvested. Melons and watermelons only get tastier and sweeter with age, unlike peaches or bananas.

Since melons and watermelons do not ripen after picking, unripe or overripe fruit remains so. A bad watermelon or cantaloupe is picked too early or late, kept too long after harvest, or improperly handled. Soft crusts, brown colors, and excessive spotting or scarring may indicate unfitness for consumption.

You can buy a melon or watermelon in the supermarket all year round, but most likely it will not be very tasty. Berries are best bought in season (summer months).

Good watermelons will have a shiny skin with a golden spot. Experts say the surefire way to find the best watermelon for your summer barbecue is to look for a fruit with a large, deep gold, yellow or straw spot on the outside. They are called ground spots, and are located where the fruit came into contact with the ground. During the growing process, these spots become white and gradually change color as the sugar content increases. When the spot turns golden, the fruit is fully ripe and ready to be picked.

A good watermelon also has a hard and shiny skin and weighs quite a lot. And in case you didn't know, watermelons have stems. They are hard and curly, and good watermelons and melons are green. Avoid watermelons with brown stems, as this may be a sign of aging.

There are two main varieties of cantaloupe, and each has its own quality indicator.

From July to September, you can find melons imported from Western Europe in most grocery stores. These cantaloupes have a straw or golden color with an even and thick mesh. Look for cantaloupes with a small green indentation at the top or bottom of the melon – this is called the stem end, and is formed when the fruit falls from the vine. The opposite end should press in slightly when you press on it. The fruit should also have a bright golden color and an aroma that can be felt without cutting it.

At other times of the year, Harper family melons are usually sold on the shelves. They are easy to identify because they have a short, truncated stem as they have been cut, unlike the western varieties which fall from the vine after ripening. They also have a mesh that can vary from dense to very loose and fine. In the best fruits, the net also covers the stem.

The skin of a good and ripe melon should be smooth and slightly sticky. Light scars around the stem, as well as a pronounced melon aroma, can indicate sweetness.

There is another reliable way to find a good cantaloupe or watermelon from the experts: regardless of the variety: if syrupy juice flows from the stem of the fruit, then it is definitely good and sweet. This is true for different varieties. Now that you know all the secrets, head to the market and pick up the tastiest summer treats. Bon Appetit!