WATER MELON
Melons are among the
most popular summer fruits, for their rich watery tissues that can be eaten raw
without the need to cook them.
Botanically named- Citrullus lanatus is a frail climber/ trailing plant of the
family: CUCURBITACEAE –the gourd
family of Pumpkins, Ash gourd, Bitter gourd, Snake gourd and a range of them
--popular as vegetables. Most of them are watery but need being cooked for
consumption.
Among these, watermelon
stands a place of pride in that it is a much-liked summer fruit by humans of
all age from children to the aged. Curiously,
at least 1000 varieties are known for watermelon. Disease-resistant watermelons
have been generated by breeding trials –the world over. Many cultivars capable
of yielding fruits within 100 days of planting have been developed.
A high water content
[about 90%] and low sugar [approximately 6%] is common among these melon
fruits. About 10% of Vit-C of daily value is available in them. The red pulp of
melons has pigmented antioxidants-the carotenoids
including Lycopenes. The fruit rind
[the thick outer skin] has an Aminoacid- Citrulline.
Hydration
The natural fruiting season for melon coincides with
summer. As one keeps moving through towns/ cities, exposure to summer heat is
inevitable. Humans tend to lose body fluid levels and body salts by evaporation
under sweltering heat at those times dehydration in human body can occur. To
avoid dehydration and retrieval through hospitalization, consuming watery
fruits [with their ions /solutes] readily restores fluid balance in human
system. Water melon helps to escape dehydration.
Supports health through nutrients and beneficial plant compounds Besides the already suggested ingredients, melon can supplement our health with about 1 gm –protein, about 0.2 gm fat and daily values of 5%- Vitamin- A, 14% Vit-C, about 4% Potassium, 4% Magnesium, on an average intake of melon slices.
The pink
Lycopene helps to lower of
insulin-like growth factor [IGF] essential for rapid cell division [cancerous
activity]. Besides, Cucurbitacin –E
suppresses tumour by promoting ‘Autophagy’ [self destruction] of cancer cells.
Healthy heart Citruline- an aminoacid in melon can elevate nitric oxide levels in the system. It can cause expansion of blood vessels helping easy flow of blood. It can lower the blood pressure.
Melons can relieve oxidative stress Lycopene, being an anti-oxidant, can delay and suppress the onset of Alzeimer’s disease in ageing.
Helps in relieving muscle stress in humans.
SKIN
HEALTH
Restoration of skin health and reversing or slowing
down of skin-ageing can be helped by the contents- Vitamin- A and Vitamin-C in
melons.
Promotes Digestion
The rich
water content and a small quantity of fibre in Melons can promote the ease of
digestion.
Prof. K.
Raman
During 60s or even 70s I have not seen Water melon on the road sides. But on the onset of summer on both sides of the road you can see heaps of water melon.
ReplyDeleteIt contains a non essential amino acid known as citruline that takes part in urea cycle in the liver of our body. The proteins we consume are digested into amino acids and in turn by deamination to urea and arginine. This arginine by enzymatic reaction is converted into nitric oxide that enlarges the arteries. That is how heart related diseases are cured by nitrates.
Watermelon consumption helps people who have blood pressure or heart related problems.
K.Venkataraman