| Watermelon, an all time favorite fruit for | | | | |
| meals and snacks is actually a "vegetable". | | | | Recent study on watermelons has revealed that |
| The origin of watermelon can be traced back | | | | it has numerous potential health benefits. |
| to early Egyptian civilization, which is | | | | The red variety of watermelon contains high |
| still evident in the hieroglyphics on the | | | | concentrations of Lycopene, an anti-oxidant |
| wall paintings. The fruit was held in high | | | | that helps to reduce the risk of many |
| regard and often placed on the tombs of many | | | | diseases. Lycopene and beta-carotene are |
| kings and pharaohs. Watermelon has played the | | | | compounds called carotenoids, which are |
| role of a thirst quenching fruit in countries | | | | highly colored pigments that help protect |
| in the Mediterranean region due to the | | | | plants against damage from sunlight. These |
| scarcity of water in these areas. The African | | | | antioxidants neutralize the harmful free |
| slaves brought watermelon seeds to the | | | | radicals in the human body. Free radicals in |
| western countries and eventually United | | | | the human body cause great deal of damage by |
| States has turned out to be one of the | | | | oxidizing cholesterol and making it stick to |
| leading commercial growers of watermelon. | | | | the blood vessel walls, eventually leading to |
| Recent researches show that watermelon is one | | | | heart attack or stroke. Lycopene in |
| of the major cucurbit crops in the world | | | | watermelons get rid of these thereby reducing |
| accounting for around 7% of world area | | | | the risk of other fatal diseases such as |
| devoted for vegetable crops. | | | | asthma attacks, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid |
| | | | arthritis, colon cancer and other heart |
| Watermelons are available throughout the year | | | | diseases. |
| and are grown for their fleshy, juicy and | | | | |
| sweet fruit. Its natural sweetness makes it a | | | | The American Heart Association has certified |
| delicious and refreshing dessert especially | | | | watermelon to be one of the constituents of a |
| in hot climate. Watermelons are perfect | | | | sensible low saturated fat, low cholesterol |
| addition to a salad, salsa or a cool drink. | | | | diet. Watermelon is grown in many nations and |
| Today there are numerous varieties of | | | | is highly priced in a few. Watermelon is |
| watermelon with red, pink, orange or yellow | | | | often given as a precious gift in Japan where |
| flesh. Watermelon consists of more than 91% | | | | they call it, Suika. The Japanese wrap it |
| of water and nearly 8% sugar. | | | | beautifully in a protective covering or |
| | | | cellophane and present it. All parts of |
| The sweet and juicy watermelon has lots of | | | | watermelon are dibble. The rind is used for |
| nutritional benefits: | | | | making sweet pickles and the seeds can be |
| | | | baked and salted. |
| · It is fat free. | | | | |
| | | | Watermelon juice known as Agua Fresca in |
| · It has very low sodium content. | | | | Mexican and is a delicacy in the country. |
| | | | With more than 50 varieties of watermelon |
| · It is Cholesterol free. | | | | there are varieties of juices in the market |
| | | | with a perfect blend with other additives. |
| · It is a good source of Vitamins A & C | | | | |