Health benefits of watermelon juice, seeds, peel and how to use it

As watermelon is in season, it s time to make the most of this humble fruit. With 92% water content, it is the perfect way to stay hydrated and fresh during summer. And if you believed that sipping this juice only aids in weight loss or keeps your heart healthy, think again! The seeds and peel of watermelon are also packed with nutrients. Moreover, you can reap its benefits in the form of salad or watermelon peel sabzi and not just juice. So what are you thinking about? Stock your fridge with watermelon for a cooling summer and to reap its amazing health benefits. Also Read - Struggling to follow a healthy diet? Celebrity nutritionist shares beginner's guide to eating healthy

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1. Aids in weight loss

A 100 gm serving of watermelon provides only 30 calories, in addition to fulfilling your hunger pangs. Also, it is rich in arginine, an amino acid which melts up to 60% of belly fat, thereby aiding your weight loss goal. And since it contains around 90% water, it keeps you satiated and fills your stomach. Click on the link to know how to eat watermelons to lose weight.

2. Exerts heart-healthy effects

Researchers from Purdue University, US have found that watermelon plays a key role in controlling the cholesterol level in the blood and hence, lowers your risk of heart disease. This is attributed to the presence of citrulline, an amino acid, which prevents the accumulation of cholesterol inside blood vessels. Also, intake of watermelon has shown a significant reduction in blood pressure in overweight individuals by reducing the pressure on the aorta, artery of the heart.

3. Improves sex life

Not helping with weight loss and improving heart function, watermelon can also improve your sex drive. The amino acid citrulline improves the blood flow to reproductive organs, thereby helping you deal with erectile dysfunction. Also, arginine, an amino acid, exerts Viagra-like effect which boosts nitric acid production and relaxes blood vessels. So don t forget to include watermelon in your diet to reap its sexual benefits. Not just this, here are six more amazing health benefits of watermelon or tarbuj.

Watermelon juice benefits

1. Acts as an excellent post workout drink

According to nutritionist Priya Kathpal, drinking a glass of freshly prepared watermelon juice refuels your body with nutrients lost during the workout. Also, it contains amino acids which help in muscle recovery along with boosting metabolism after a workout. And being packed with fibre, it acts as a perfect option to satiate your hunger pangs and prevents you from mindless eating. Here s more on why you should drink watermelon juice post workout.

2. Relieves post-exercise muscle soreness

It is quite common to experience post-workout muscle soreness, especially after intense workout sessions. Although following proper care during workout might lower the risk, replenishing your body is also important. And what s better than drinking a glass of watermelon after a workout. Yes, packed with antioxidant properties, watermelon juice increases muscle proteins and also enhances athletic performance.

How to prepare watermelon juice

Take half a bowl of watermelon slices and add them to blender.
You can add a pinch of red pepper and salt. If you want to lessen the sweetness, add few mint leaves and rock salt.
Strain the juice and add a few ice cubes.

Using watermelon for skin

As a skin toner: If you have a dry and dull skin, apply watermelon juice on your face. Wash it off after 20 minutes with plain water for a refreshing experience. It also softens the skin, reveals Beauty and hair expert Shahnaz Husain.

As a cleanser: As watermelon contains vitamin A and vitamin C, it not only removes excess oil from skin but also fights pimples and restores the lost nutrients and improves the skin tone. Mix cup of fresh watermelon juice with equal amounts of orange juice and carrot juice. Add a drop of lemon juice, honey and mix well. Apply on the face and neck, leave it for 10 minutes. Apply a second coat and let it dry naturally. Wash it with lukewarm water first and then, splash some cold water.

Watermelon seed benefits

The next time you eat watermelon, no need to throw its seeds away. Instead, wash them, dry and use them in smoothies, parathas, salads or juices. Well, the reason being these tiny seeds are packed with nutrients which not only helps you deal with inflammation but also aids in treating bacterial infections.

Helps in controlling blood pressure: The seeds contain citrulline, which is anti-hypertensive in nature. It reduces aortic pressure and also increases the production of nitric oxide, which helps in keeping the blood pressure within control.

Aids in relieving inflammation: If you are suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or are at risk of oedema, munching few watermelon seeds might help. This is because, these seeds contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which help you to deal with the symptoms and get rid of inflammation.

Not just these, here are few more health benefits of watermelon seeds which you should be aware of.

Watermelon peel benefits

Just like the seeds and pulp, watermelon peel acts as a storehouse of nutrients. And with all the water content in the peel, it acts as a powerful moisturising agent and a natural cleanser to improve your skin tone. The presence of fibre, antioxidants and polyphenols in the peel, makes it a healthy option to include in your diet as well.

As a natural cleanser: After a tough day at work or wandering in the sun, your skin bears the brunt. And to rejuvenate its moisture and help you deal with dry skin, it cleanses the skin by removing the dirt particles, which might increase your risk of acne.

Prevents skin damage: The free radicals not only attack the healthy skin cells but also lead to the accumulation toxic compounds, which might lead to premature ageing and wrinkles on the skin. However, rubbing watermelon peel on the skin not only neutralises the free radicals but helps in replenishing the water content making your skin healthy and glowing.

Helps you melt fat: The high fibre content of the watermelon peel makes it a perfect weight loss ingredient. The white part, which is usually discarded, can be added to salads and curries, to aid your weight loss goal.

How to use it?

Rub the inner portion of watermelon peel on your face and neck. Let it dry naturally and then wash with water. You can even replace it with the commercial cleanser. Do this every day for a glowing and soft skin.

Watermelon recipes

Although sipping a glass of chilled watermelon juice on a hot summer day is quire relaxing, there s more you can do with watermelon, then drinking its juice. Here are some of the healthy and quick watermelon recipes you can try at home.

Watermelon iced tea

Watermelon mojito

Watermelon slush

Watermelon tomato salad

Watermelon peel sabzi

Tips to keep in mind

Before you seriously consider including watermelon in your diet and reap its numerous health benefits, here are some tips you need to follow without fail.

Avoid eating it at night: You can enjoy watermelon at any time of the day but night, suggests Deepshikha Agarwal, dietician and sports nutritionist, Mumbai. Although watermelon has sugar and fibre, which helps you to satiate your hunger pangs, eating it a late night might increase your risk of acidity and other stomach woes. It is due to the high water content of watermelons, which makes it a strict no-no to snack late at night as it might cause water retention and bloating. You may also like to read about the right time to eat fruits.

Do not eat it during monsoon: Yes,available during the monsoon, most people tend to drink watermelon juice to stay hydrated during monsoons. However, according to Dr Swati Dave, nutritionist and dietician, Ahmedabad, watermelon is loaded with water and hence, is perishable, has a short shelf life. Also, the chances of contamination during rainy season are high in foods containing water. Hence, it is wise to avoid watermelon during this time of the season.

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Published : March 23, 2016 4:54 pm | Updated:March 23, 2016 6:16 pm

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