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