The watermelon falls in the family of fruits like cantaloupe, pumpkin and similar plants that grow on vines on the ground. Watermelons can be round, oblong or spherical in shape; light to dark green in colour, with white mottling stripes. Its flesh are commonly bright red in colour but there are also other varieties where its flesh are dark brown, orange, yellow, pink or even white.Watermelon is another of my all-time favourite. Not only is it cooling for the body in our tropical climate, it is excellent for flushing out the kidney and bladder, taking out waste materials. As the red watermelon juice can be very sweet on its own, better to juice them together with the rind as well. Rind is the whitish green part of the watermelon, between the skin and the red flesh. This part of the fruit contains the highest level of quality minerals and chlorophyll, and should not be discarded.

Nutritional BenefitsThe 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 colour. This important anti-oxidant is powerful in neutralising harmful free radicals in our body.

Health BenefitsWatermelon is basically very cleansing, alkalinising, diuretic and mineralising. It is very effective in promoting intestinal elimination, keeping the body free from toxic wastes. Its juice is easily digestible and is completely absorbed for all its minerals, providing much needed nutrients to the body.The alkalinising effect maintains the acid-alkaline balance in the body, neutralising 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 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.

Consumption TipsIf you cannot finish a whole watermelon and wish to keep it for later, cover the uneaten portion (cut in as few pieces as possible) with plastic cling wrap to prevent them from drying out. This also prevents it from absorbing the odors of other foods. Keep refrigerated to best preserve its freshness, taste and juiciness.Watermelon is best eaten on its own, in fruit salads, or juiced. You may also freeze pureed watermelon in ice cube trays. Kids love this, especially on a hot day!

Using watermelon as a detox:The cooling qualities of watermelon make it ideal for a quick and easy 3-Day Summer Detox. Cleansing with watermelon is easy to do, delicious and extremely effective. The watermelon is a whole body cleanser. It has positive effects on the kidney, bladder, heart, stomach, colon, liver and more. Protein, alcohol and caffeine all put strain on the kidney. One thing that watermelon does is it helps the liver to process the waste from protein digestion into the safer form of urea. This increased effectiveness in production of urea takes some strain off of the kidneys. There are several ways to do a watermelon cleanse. You can use the juice alone, separated from the pulp. You can toss the melon in the blender, then consume it as a smoothie. You can add lemon, ginger or herbs. There are some specific watermelon cleansing recipes that you can use during your cleanse.Every part from flesh, rind and seed can be consumed with some benefit. A watermelon cleanse can be used to shed a few pounds in a short time. Menopausal women can use the cleanse to relieve hot flashes. The extreme heat of August can be released through the cleansing power of watermelon. The colon is cleansed by watermelon. Watermelon can act as a blood tonic and therefore be very regenerative.

3-Day Watermelon CleanseUpon rising:500grams watermelon juiced with ½ lemon.

Optional: add grated ginger, mix in blender. You can also juice the ginger and mix with watermelon juice.

Mid-morning:Watermelon smoothie.

To prepare watermelon smoothie: Place 2 cups of watermelon in blender and blend for 30 seconds or until watermelon is well mixed. Drink!

Afternoon:2-3 cups chopped watermelon.

To prepare watermelon smoothie: Place 2 cups of watermelon in blender or Vitamix. Blend for 30 seconds or until watermelon is well mixed. Drink!

Evening:500grams watermelon juiced with ½ lemon.

<a href="http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=22268tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=22268Sat, 12 Mar 2011 06:22:01 GMT 00:00″>The importance of watermelon

Tags: folic acid, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases.Constipation, colon cancer.Itchiness

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