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Some foods are fun to eat, and watermelon is
definitely one of them. That triangular wedge of bright red/white/green,
sweet juiciness forbids us to take life too seriously and shouts,
“SUMMER!!!” As if that weren’t enough, watermelon is packed full of
nutrition, hydrates and is low-fat.
While many of us think of watermelon as a great snack option, when you
tally up its nutritive value, you might consider making this all-star a
feature player in your cuisine.
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Watermelons are an excellent source of several vitamins: vitamin A,
which helps maintain eye health and is an antioxidant; vitamin C, which
helps strengthen immunity, heal wounds, prevent cell damage, promote
healthy teeth and gums; and vitamin B6, which helps brain function and
helps convert protein to energy.
Tomatoes have been highly touted as a great source for lycopene, a
powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and several types of
cancer — prostate cancer in particular.
Watermelon, however, has the highest concentrations of lycopene of any
fresh fruit or vegetable.
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If your little ones don’t dig into their swiss chard, lima beans or
spinach — all great sources of potassium — consider offering them a
serving of watermelon instead.
It is a great source of potassium, which helps muscle and nerve
function, helps maintain the body’s proper electrolyte and acid-base
balance, and helps lower the risk of high blood pressure.
Watermelon also contains the amino acids citrulline and arginine, which
can help maintain arteries, blood flow and overall cardiovascular
function.
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Alone or in a fruit salad are the most common ways many of us eat
watermelon. While eating the meat of the fruit is the best way to take
advantage of all of its nutrients, this is one of my favorite bits of
summer refreshment. I get a version of this from my local burrito truck.
The key to making this great: don’t oversweeten it. With just a touch of
sweetness, it’s heavenly.
Watermelon Agua Fresca (Fresh Water)
3 cups cubed, seeded watermelon
1 1/2 cups water
juice from 2-3 limes
natural sweetner, to taste
In a blender, puree the watermelon, then strain it through a fine sieve.
In a pitcher, mix the strained juice with water. Add lime juice and
natural sweetener to taste. Serve cold over ice. |
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