Watermelon the energizing Summer treat
May 29th, 2012
No other fruit says summer picnic time like the juicy crunchy, thirst quenching watermelon.
Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day, this great thirst-quencher may also help inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.
Sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature. They are able to oxidize cholesterol, making it stick to blood vessel walls, where it can lead to heart attack or stroke. A cup of watermelon provides 21% of the daily value for vitamin C, and, through its carotenoids, 17% of the DV for vitamin A.
According to ”The World’s healthiest Foods” Watermelon is also a very concentrated source of the carotenoid, lycopene. Lycopene has been extensively studied for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties. These cancers now include prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancers. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that in patients with colorectal adenomas, a type of polyp that is the precursor for most colorectal cancers, blood levels of lycopene were 35% lower compared to study subjects with no polyps.
Watermelon is rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production. Our food ranking system also qualified watermelon as a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, and potassium. Because this food has a higher water content and lower calorie content than many other fruits (a whole cup of watermelon contains only 48 calories), it delivers more nutrients per calorie—an outstanding health benefit!
Watermelon helps protect against Macular Degeneration by not only relaxing blood vessels, lowering high blood pressure, it helps to prevent erectile dysfunction.
Watermelon Summer Slushy
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
- 10 ice cubes
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup white sugar or Agave nectar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Add MIDORI alcohol for an adult drink
Directions
- Place watermelon and ice into a blender. Pour in lime juice, sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth.
| Watermelon 1.00 cup 152.00 grams 45.60 calories | ||||
| Nutrient | Amount | DV (%) | Nutrient Density | World’s Healthiest Foods Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| vitamin C | 12.31 mg | 20.5 | 8.1 | excellent |
| vitamin A | 864.88 IU | 17.3 | 6.8 | very good |
| potassium | 170.24 mg | 4.9 | 1.9 | good |
| magnesium | 15.20 mg | 3.8 | 1.5 | good |
No comments:
Post a Comment