What do you know about the calorie content, benefits and dangers of watermelon
A strange striped berry in Europe was originally a delicacy for the most worthy people. The plant got to Russia in the 16th century, and it was possible to find a watermelon only on the tables of nobles and on the royal table. A native of South Africa, the outlandish vegetable gradually spread to warmer regions. The centuries-old history has confirmed the low calorie content, benefits and harms of watermelon. Now the heat-loving culture is grown everywhere in the fields and summer cottages. garden beds... Botanists attribute watermelon not to false berries, as is commonly believed, they classify it as pumpkin.
How is watermelon useful for the human body?
- proteins;
- carbohydrates;
- fats;
- organic acids;
- ash residue;
- alimentary fiber.
Watermelon is considered a dietary product due to its low calorie content. A piece of 100 g will bring only 27 Kcal, but it will deliver many useful elements. If we take into account that nutritionists consider it normal to consume 2.5 kg of watermelon during the day, then all indicators of usefulness should be translated into the weight of the product eaten. This is the only way to calculate the saturation of the body with useful substances that are given per 100 g of the product.
First, let's determine what the watermelon consists of. Usually, the determining factor for all products is their energy value. Watermelon pulp has 23 kcal from carbohydrates, fats give only 1, proteins - 2 kcal. Two more units are added by unaccounted elements. The carbohydrate composition accounts for 93% of the total energy value. It is represented by a group of mono- and disaccharides.
Valuable in the composition of watermelon pulp are dietary fiber, represented by hemicellulose. They are much softer, but more actively involved in the process of binding and removing toxins. The ash component of 0.4 g is represented by minerals. Their value in watermelon pulp is concentration and easy digestibility.
The composition is diverse, includes vitamins C, PP, E. But it should be especially noted that a large group of vital B vitamins is presented in full composition. Everything that is contained in watermelon, works to improve human health. In the rare cases that are known, you should refrain from including watermelon on the menu. In others, do not overwhelm the stomach by eating a daily serving in one go.
Watermelon is eaten in small portions several times throughout the day.
The action of the beneficial ingredients of watermelon
The action of watermelon as a dietary product is to saturate the body:
- vitamins;
- biologically active substances;
- minerals.
One of the known positive effects of watermelon is its effect on the renal system. If there are no large sharp stones in the kidneys, which, under the influence of watermelon juice, can begin to move, and there are no problems with an irritated urinary system, the watermelon will become a good nurse for the kidneys. The alkaline composition dissolves and removes fine sand. In this case, it is necessary to consume watermelon pulp up to 2.5 kg per day in small portions. The sand will be visible. In men, the outlet may be accompanied by a slight cut in the urethra.For cleansing the kidneys, the white subcortical layer is the most effective in terms of diuretic action.
Before washing the kidneys with watermelon, you should consult your doctor. You can not use the watermelon diet for those who have a disease of pyelonephritis, prostatitis, or stones. The attending physician will measure the benefits and harms of the watermelon diet.
For cores and hypertensive patients the use of watermelon is only for the good. The body is saturated with magnesium and potassium, trace elements that increase muscle performance. Folic acid is involved in hematopoiesis together with magnesium and iron. As an antidepressant, watermelon soothes the nerves that regulate the body's processes. So if the excretory organs allow, the watermelon diet will have a beneficial effect on the general condition of a person.
The liver is also cleansed by eating striped berries. But the content of large stones in the gallbladder imposes a ban on the diet. In small quantities, like a serving during a snack, watermelon is acceptable. But you just can't take other food at the same time, so as not to cause fermentation in the stomach.
For those who are struggling with excess weight, this product is a godsend. Not only is the bite almost entirely water, but it fills the stomach and the fructose juice reduces the cravings for other foods. Unloading takes place calmly without stress and hunger. For a week on a watermelon diet, you can lose up to 3 kg. At the same time, the body receives vitamins and vital elements. The benefits and harms of watermelon for weight loss lie nearby. Yes, you can lose weight quickly. But watermelon also causes appetite. If you do not moderate your food consumption in the future, you can get even more fat.
Often the question arises whether it is possible to eat watermelon with stomach ulcers. There are no contraindications here. Moreover, even with increased acidity, prolonged inclusion of watermelon in the diet can cure gastritis. The reason is the presence of a large amount of magnesium, which promotes tissue healing. Vitamin A present in watermelon is an antioxidant, it penetrates into cells and produces their regeneration. Due to the processes in the cells, the ulcers are healed. There is only one condition, the stomach cannot be overloaded. You need to eat watermelon in small portions, but often. With high acidity, watermelon is eaten with bread.
For all its usefulness, watermelon is a mild laxative, so it is not recommended to eat it with loose stools and women in the last stages of pregnancy.
The cosmetic effect of watermelon is known to the ladies. Rejuvenate masks made from watermelon juice. Using tea made from fresh or dry crusts when washing your face adds freshness to the skin. Watermelon seed flour is an excellent cleanser.
How not to get poisoned by watermelon?
Watermelon has one property that makes it dangerous if high doses of nitrogen fertilizers are used in production. In order not to bring a poisonous vegetable home, you need to buy watermelons only at the end of summer, when they ripen themselves, without speeding up. You need to buy a whole watermelon, and research the pulp at home. You can check the watermelon for nitrates with an ecotester.
Cut the washed berry and see the structure:
- The watermelon should not be bright red, without bold yellow wires.
- The pulp, mash in a glass of water, should not turn the liquid pink or red.
- When cut, the flesh should be grainy, not smooth and shiny.
Most nitrates accumulate near the stalk and in the outer layer under the skin. Therefore, children should be given a piece from the very core.
Even when buying a watermelon closer to autumn, you should not choose it near the road or outside the stalls. There is a great risk that the sanitary control did not allow the goods to be officially sold. You cannot buy a damaged watermelon. In warm weather, microbes multiply rapidly on the sweet surface, which can cause dysentery. A watermelon with a crack cannot be washed from road and field dirt.It is unknown what it carries on its striped sides.