Watermelon: benefits and curiosities
The simple joy of a warm summer day is biting into a thick slice of watermelon. A sweet, juicy, refreshing joy with many benefits for the body. From hydration to vitamin A and C, we’ve rounded up some of the top benefits of watermelon.
1. It helps you hydrate.
Every part of your body needs water to function properly, so it’s important to stay hydrated. The need for hydration can also be met by foods rich in liquids. With 92% water by weight, watermelon is a great way to hydrate yourself, whether we eat it fresh, in juice/smoothie form or in salads.
2. It is rich in vitamins A and C.
Vitamins A and C, found in watermelon, are important for skin health. Vitamin C helps support immune health, works as an antioxidant in the body and is involved in collagen formation Vitamin A is also important for healthy skin because it helps create and repair skin cells.
3. Contains lycopene.
Watermelon contains lycopene, a type of antioxidant that is particularly good for cardiovascular health. According to studies, regular consumption of this antioxidant can help reduce cholesterol levels.
Curiosities about red watermelon
– Technically, watermelon is both a fruit and a vegetable. Due to its sweet and juicy taste, watermelon is considered a fruit by many people. And this is also true from a botanical point of view, because it grows like a fruit: it is drawn from bee-pollinated flowers and contains seeds. However, still botanically speaking, it is classified in the curcubitaceae family, along with cucumbers, zucchini or melons.
– Every part of a watermelon is edible (rind, seeds, flesh). – There are over 50 varieties of watermelon, each varying slightly in size, color and taste.
– The heaviest melon has been reported to be 159 kg, but most varieties produce melons of about 6 to 12 kg.
Watermelon can be consumed in many ways. The most common way, of course, is to simply cut it and then eat the slices. Alternatively, you can use watermelon chunks for either a fruit salad or a salad with feta, mint/basil and a refreshing dressing. You can also squeeze the watermelon pulp and eat it plain or after mixing it with other fruit juices. And if you want to cool off on summer days, you can come to the Samsara terrace to enjoy a Watermelon Gazpacho with watermelon, onion, mint, cucumber, tomatoes and hot peppers.
