Grab That Watermelon
POSTED November 20, 2007 - 17:04 | POSTED BY Jyoti Pal
Last edited by Sham Kamboj on June 1, 2009 - 16:19
Come summers, and this inviting, red, juicy fruit grabs your senses! And make sure you get lots of it, because watermelons are extremely beneficial to health. A healthy food choice, the fruit is low in calories (only about 51 per cup), and it gives your body nutritious doses of vitamins A and C, potassium and the antioxidant lycopene.
Here are some of the advantages:
• Provides Prostate Protection: Watermelon is the fresh food champ when it comes to lycopene, even beating out fresh tomatoes. This naturally occurring chemical gives many fruits and vegetables their red colour and is known to fight prostate cancerdefinedefine.
• Enhances Heart Health: Low in total and saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, the watermelon contains at least 10 percent of the daily value of the key nutrients – protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron and dietary fiber. All of which adds up to first-rate heart protection.
• Watches Your Weight: Watermelons not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but also fills you up and helps you stay on diet. Foods with high water content help you lose weight, and watermelon is staggering 92 percent water. Also, one slice contains only one single gram of fat.
The Right Pick:
Picking out the perfect watermelon is easy, just make sure you’re paying attention.
• Choose one that is symmetrical and firm, without bruises, cuts or dents.
• Pick it up, and remember that you’re looking for one tat is heavy for its size.
• Turn it over. If you see a yellow area, the watermelon rested on the ground while it ripened in the sun, which means you’ll get a sweeter, juicer melon.
• Contrary to popular belief, don’t thump your melon, slap it. If it sounds hollow, it’s ripe.
In:
