7 Reasons Why You Should Never Throw Away Watermelon Rinds

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The watermelon rind is the firm white part of the fruit that’s left behind after the bright pink flesh has been eaten or scooped away. We tend to toss this part of the fruit, but it has a lot health benefits. Watermelon rind has a diuretic effect, it may be helpful in lowering blood pressure and maintaining proper kidney function.

New studies have again confirmed that watermelon rind is a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Magnesium, Zinc and Potassium. The red watermelon has lycopene in high quantities. Lycopene is an antioxidant and helps to prevent many diseases. It is found that 95% percent of the food value in watermelon is actually found in the rind.

Health Benefits Of Eating Watermelon With Rind

Good in Pregnancy

For pregnant women in their third trimester, consuming watermelon rind can also reduce muscle cramps, as the amino acid citrulline contained in the fruit will trigger a safe chemical reaction in your blood that relaxes your blood vessels.

Arthritis

The rich beta-carotene and vitamin C content in this big fruit do wonders in quenching inflammation that contributes to conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Prevent Heart Attack

The combination of folate and the other essential vitamins in this fruit plays an important role in reducing the risks of heart attacks, strokes and colon cancer.

Blood pressure

The potassium and magnesium, along with the acids in the watermelon, combine to help keep blood vessels healthy and maintain smooth blood flow. The watermelon can also help maintain proper electrolyte and acid balance, which are all-important for a stable blood pressure level.

Fight Inflammation

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. As with most antioxidants, lycopene is highly effective at getting rid of free radicals, and free radicals are a major cause of inflammation.

Boost libido

Watermelon has been referred to as ‘Natures Viagra’. some research shows that it may help men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. Its libido-boosting powers come from the amino acid citrulline, which is concentrated in the rind.

Eye health

Watermelon juice benefits our eye health as well. Watermelon is an excellent source of beta-carotene. It also has a combination of vitamin A, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients that can keep our eyes healthy.

Juicing the watermelon with the rind offers tremendous benefits. The watermelon rind oxygenates the cells by releasing a free-radical scavenger, which in turn acts as an anti-aging agent.

How to make watermelon juice?

Ingredients:

-3 cups watermelon cubes
-lemon juice as needed
-small piece of ginger
-½ tsp sweet basil seeds
-few mint leaves
-few ice cubes

Instructions:

-Wash watermelon under running water.
-Cut it to 2 halves.
-Remove the seeds.
-Tender white seeds can be used for the juice, they have health benefits too.
-Chop the watermelon pulp from the rind.
-Add the ingredients to a blender jar and blend till smooth.
-Chill the juice and serve.

Sources:

http://www.naturalhealth365.com/watermelon-rind-recipe-1104.html/

http://www.glamour.com/story/watermelon-rind-health-benefits

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/watermelon.html

Sherice