Watermelon: useful properties and contraindications

Watermelon is a large and sweet berry, which most people love for its refreshing taste. But, in addition, this is an unusually useful product. When used correctly, it will help to improve health and even get rid of extra pounds.

What is the difference between yellow and red watermelon

The yellow watermelon is biologically the same variety as the common watermelon with red flesh. It is a product of breeding where the common watermelon was crossed with its wild variety, which has yellow but unsweetened flesh. For farmers, it is interesting because of its earlier maturation.

Its difference from the red variety is not only in the color of the flesh, but also in the fact that it has almost no seeds or far fewer of them. In addition, it is distinguished by a very dry and hard crust, from which you can not make candied fruits or jam. And it costs about twice as much as an ordinary watermelon - this is more likely due to its rarity and marketing features, but not to its qualities.

Which one is more useful

There is no definite answer to the question of which type of watermelon is more useful, because they have approximately the same chemical composition. That is, the yellow watermelon also contains fiber, vitamins, essential amino acids and minerals. However, it has a little more fiber. And, in addition, the flesh of this watermelon has exotic flavor notes - it can resemble mango, pineapple, or citrus fruits (though sometimes pumpkin). With this in mind, some people consider yellow watermelon to be healthier because there is less risk of nitrates being used in the growing process because of its faster ripening time.

On the other hand, it has few seeds, and its peel does not contain those useful elements that are in the red watermelon. So in terms of usefulness they can be considered the same.

Composition and calories

Watermelon is a berry, which has a low caloric value. Its energy value averages only 38 kcal per 100 g of pulp. This is not surprising, because watermelon is about 92-93% of water. But the rest is extremely useful substances:

1. Vitamin A, which is an important antioxidant and is good for your eyesight.
2. Vitamins B1 and B6, which are involved in metabolic processes as well as normalizing nervous system function.
3. Vitamin E is another strong antioxidant that is especially important for reproductive function.
4. Folic acid (vitamin B9), which is also useful for cognitive function.
5. Vitamin C - which is also an antioxidant and at the same time strengthens the walls of blood vessels and helps improve immunity.
6. Essential amino acids, including arginine and citrulline, discussed below.
7. Macronutrients and trace elements, including manganese, potassium, magnesium, etc.

And yet watermelon contains no harmful fats and cholesterol, as well as sodium, which could offset this excellent chemical composition.

How watermelon is useful

The overall benefits.

The longer scientists study watermelon, the more evidence emerges that it is beneficial. After all, consuming this berry allows:

• improve blood circulation;
• normalize blood pressure;
• reduce fat accumulation;
• Cleanse the kidneys of accumulated toxins.

Thanks to its electrolyte composition, watermelon pulp and juice prevent dehydration and refresh even in the hottest heat.

For women

For women, the watermelon is primarily useful with a high content of antioxidants that slow the aging process. In addition, these substances have anti-inflammatory properties, which allows preventing many diseases of the pelvic organs.

Thanks to a mild diuretic effect watermelon can get rid of edema, and with it - and extra pounds. The high content of vitamin C improves blood circulation and prevents venous stasis, which is dangerous because it can lead to varicose veins.

Finally, the vitamin E in watermelon pulp is very useful for the reproductive system.

For Men

Sometimes watermelon is called a natural Viagra. And medics have grounds for such a comparison. The fact is that watermelon contains the amino acids citrulline and arginine. These compounds are involved in the synthesis of nitric oxide. The latter plays the role of a kind of signal molecule and analog of a hormone, performing many functions. It regulates blood pressure, normalizes the activity of the nervous system, expands blood vessels and relaxes the smooth muscles of their walls. That is, this substance basically performs the same tasks as Viagra, i.e. it improves the erectile function and has a beneficial effect on the reproductive system.

At the same time, watermelon pulp is devoid of the side effects that are typical for Viagra. That is why watermelon is so useful for men. In addition, it contains a lot of antioxidants, of which the most important for the representatives of the stronger half of mankind is lycopene. This is a carotenoid pigment, it is he who gives the flesh a red hue. Watermelon contains twice as much as tomatoes, which doctors recommend for protection against prostate cancer. So the watermelon pulp, which contains a lot of lycopene, prevents prostate cancer, fights inflammatory processes in the body, helps to strengthen the immune system.

When pregnant

Watermelon contains a lot of folic acid, which is considered very useful for future mothers, as this compound helps to prevent malformations in the child. In addition, the pulp of this large berry contains a lot of vitamin C, which is necessary to strengthen blood vessels. It also contains iron, the lack of which in the diet can cause anemia. Watermelon flesh also contains calcium, which is necessary for the formation of bones, which is often lacking during the period of childbearing. So in the early stages of pregnancy watermelon is very useful.

In the second trimester watermelon is good because thanks to its diuretic effect it helps to avoid edema, which for the future mother is fraught with a strong increase of blood pressure. Besides, it improves kidney function.

Finally, watermelon is a low-calorie treat, it is good for satisfying hunger and thirst and at the same time does not lead to extra pounds. If there are no contraindications, you can even arrange a discharge day on watermelon, dividing 1-1.5 kg of pulp for six meals.

If you have diabetes (including gestational diabetes) or kidney stones, watermelon is contraindicated during pregnancy. This also applies in cases of very severe swelling with poor kidney function.

Finally, in the last stages of pregnancy the use of watermelon in large quantities can cause false contractions, so you need to refrain from it at all, if it is not possible to limit yourself to one slice.

When breastfeeding

Usually, when forming the diet of a nursing mother, pediatricians advise adhering to a simple rule - if the mother does not and has never had a reaction to a product, then the baby is unlikely to have one. But start using this product with a small amount, to check the reaction of the baby during the day.

This also applies to watermelon. It is very useful for a young mother, because it allows you to lose weight gained during pregnancy, and improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails. At the same time it is necessary to start its consumption with a small piece, if within a day there will be no reaction, it will be possible to increase the number to 3-4 slices. It is not necessary to use more, but for other reasons. If also on the skin of the child appeared red spots of urticaria, then you need to analyze what else my mother ate on this day, perhaps the issue is a combination of products. After a couple of days you can repeat the experiment. If there is no reaction, it is possible to introduce the product into the diet.

Why watermelon should not be eaten in large quantities - this question interests many young mothers. The thing is that at unrestricted consumption of watermelon even an adult most often provokes increased gas formation, let alone a child, who may suffer from colic.

Some pediatricians even believe that watermelon, as well as any other products that provoke flatulence, can be included in the diet of a young mother only after the baby is two months old. But this is only a recommendation, and not a strict rule, especially since the watermelon season passes quickly. So you need to be guided solely by the condition of the baby.

For kids

Watermelons are just as useful for babies as they are for adults. The delicate dietary fiber contained in the pulp of this berry helps to improve digestion, which is especially important if the baby is prone to constipation. Thanks to the diuretic effect watermelon is often recommended for heart failure. The high iron content will be useful for those who suffer from anemia or frequent nosebleeds. Also, a watermelon diet is prescribed for those kids who have problems with excess weight.

However, it is better not to give watermelon to young children, and toddlers as young as 3 years old can only be given a small amount and on the condition that these berries are carefully tested. Children react much worse to nitrates than adults.

The benefits of watermelon peels

Watermelon peels contain many useful substances. This, for example, the aforementioned amino acid citrulline, which is needed to expand blood vessels and relax smooth muscles. It is even more present in the peels than in the pulp itself.

Watermelon peels, previously well dried, are considered an effective remedy for nephritis and swelling. The hardest top layer is cut off from them, and the softer light part underneath is crushed in any convenient way and sent to an oven heated to a minimum temperature. There crusts are dried until half-ready in such a gentle mode, so as not to destroy useful substances. Then these crusts are dumped on a clean light cloth (without dyes) and dried naturally.

To get rid of swelling, you need to eat 1 tsp. of crushed watermelon peels and drink a glass of warm water before meals. You can add a spoonful of honey to the water to improve the taste. Such a remedy is drunk three times a day, it can be done daily for a long period. All this time, dry peels in a glass jar are stored in a dark and dry place.

From the watermelon rinds can be made decoction, which has a urinary and choleretic action. For this 100 grams of dried or fresh crushed bark pour a liter of water, bring to a boil and keep on low heat for 30 minutes. After that, they insist and cool for another hour, and then pass through gauze or a sieve with very fine mesh.

Some adepts of folk medicine advise to drink such a decoction even with urolithiasis, supposedly it dissolves stones. But in fact not all stones can be dissolved in principle - it all depends on their chemical composition. So it is necessary to consult with a doctor beforehand, because in some types of urolithiasis such a decoction may just be contraindicated.

Watermelon peels are considered an effective remedy for migraine. At every attack of a headache, it is recommended to apply fresh crusts to the temples and forehead, fixing them with a headscarf. The substances contained in the crusts dilate the blood vessels and thus help to get rid of headaches. They are also used to make compresses for rheumatism.

Thanks to the fact that the rinds contain citrulline, watermelon can reduce blood pressure, which is due to its ability to dilate blood vessels. The watermelon rind should be dried together with the seeds and all together ground into a powder - for this you will need a coffee grinder. The resulting powder is recommended to take 0.5 teaspoon in the morning and evening for a month. This helps to normalize the blood pressure.

Watermelon seeds: benefits and harms

Many people believe that watermelon seeds are harmful - this stereotype emerged back in the days when it was believed that they can lead to appendicitis (in fact, this is not true). Today, however, scientists have proven that watermelon seeds are useful, and here's why:

1. 200 g of seeds contain about 30.6 g of vegetable protein, which is already more than 60% of the recommended daily allowance.
2. The seeds also contain the amino acid arginine, which is very useful for the cardiovascular system, as well as other essential amino acids such as lysine, tryptophan or glutamic acid.
3. Watermelon seeds contain fats, from them later you can produce a very useful oil, the properties of which will be discussed below. It is only worth noting here that it is unsaturated fats that help reduce blood pressure and "bad" cholesterol.
4. Watermelon seeds also contain B vitamins, which are involved in complex nutritional processes.
5. Niacin is the vitamin that contains the most in this product, about 19% of the daily requirement. Niacin is necessary not only for normalizing digestive and metabolic processes, but also for healthy skin.

Dried watermelon seeds also contain about 139% of the daily dose of magnesium, which not only regulates blood pressure, but also lowers blood sugar levels. Equally important are the phosphorus, potassium, copper, and sodium contained in the seeds. They also contain a lot of zinc, which has anti-inflammatory properties. And it is about 75% of the daily dose needed for healthy teeth, hair and nails.

Seeds contain a lot of iron, and this figure is comparable to the iron content of seafood or turkey fillets. Deficiency of this mineral leads to anemia and increased fatigue, and eating seeds avoids these troubles. In addition, they contain a lot of fiber, contributing to normal digestion.

In their raw form, seeds would be difficult to eat. But they can be dried and roasted - that's how they are eaten in China. To do this, the seeds are washed under running water and dried on a paper towel. Put the dried seeds in a dry pan and fry them on a medium heat until they start to darken. At the same time, prepare a salt solution - 1 tsp. A spoonful of salt per 50 ml of water. Slightly toasted seeds are poured into the salt solution and evaporated over low heat. Then the cooked seeds are cooled, after which they can be served to the table.

Watermelon oil: properties and uses

Not everyone has heard of such a product as watermelon oil, and yet it is considered very useful. It is obtained from the watermelon seeds, which contain fatty acids. Watermelon oil is considered to be light, it is quickly absorbed into the skin, so it can be used in cosmetology. It also has a pleasant taste and the same healing properties as the watermelon seeds themselves. In its composition, it is not inferior to almond oil and in texture to sesame oil.

Watermelon oil is characterized by a bright sunny hue with golden or reddish notes. It is so fluid and light that it seems quite liquid and not at all viscous. In addition, it has a pleasantly distinctive smell and taste with slightly sweet notes.

This oil can be used in several ways:

1. In cooking for the preparation of dishes that do not require heat treatment, such as salads or cold appetizers.
2. For the treatment of diseases caused by inflammatory processes, as an external remedy - in such cases, the oil is used to make lotions, which are applied to the affected areas twice a day.
3. To enrich the finished cosmetics - no more than 10% of their volume.
4. In aromatherapy as a base oil, which can be combined with various essential oils, including chamomile, cedar, rose, etc. Palmarosa and sage are also suitable.

There are certain standards for its use. In cooking, it is 1-2 tsp. per day, and it is added to the dish during cooking. In pure form this oil can be drunk only 5 ml once every two days, the duration of treatment is 5-8 months - mainly for edema and cardiovascular disease. In the treatment of kidney disease, the dose can be increased to 1 tsp. spoon four times a day. If we are talking about cosmetology, that you can take internally 0.5 teaspoon four times a day to improve the condition of the skin.

Is it possible to eat watermelon while losing weight?

Due to the fact that the watermelon pulp contains fiber and many different vitamins, this berry is considered an excellent tool for detoxification and getting rid of extra pounds.

But you should understand that the watermelon mono-diet is one of the toughest. In connection with this, it can be observed only three days, during which you can lose 4-5 pounds of extra weight. During these first three days you can not eat anything except watermelon flesh. In extreme cases, you can make smoothies out of it.

Then you need to gradually withdraw from a stressful diet, little by little reducing the amount of watermelon in your diet and providing your body with other products. For example, from watermelon and other vegetables prepare a light salad with the addition of low-fat cheese.

At the same time you need to remember a number of rules:

1. In the first 24 hours, weight loss occurs solely because of the diuretic effect of watermelon.
2. For the first three days, you need to carefully calculate the necessary amount of watermelon. It is considered that the norm is 1 kg for every 10 kg of your own body weight, that is 5-7 kg per day. But not everyone can handle such an amount, because it can lead to diarrhea, so it is necessary to discuss your idea with the doctor, who will help to identify contraindications.
3. Despite the fact that watermelon contains a lot of water, this does not mean that it will be enough. Experts also recommend drinking green tea and mineral water without gas.
4. You can consume watermelon at any time, but not at night.
5. If during the diet there is heaviness in the stomach and various unpleasant sensations, it should be stopped immediately. This also applies to quitting the diet, when combining watermelon with other products leads to the same consequences.

Withdrawal from the diet should also take no more than two or three days. During this time, weight loss will continue, but already at the expense of deeper biochemical processes, and not just by eliminating fluid.

Watermelon in medicine

Watermelon in official medicine is mainly considered a dietary product for getting rid of extra pounds, as well as a preventive measure against cardiovascular disease. But you need to consider how it affects the body with a particular pathology.

In case of diabetes mellitus.

Watermelon contains a lot of carbohydrates. That is why it is not recommended to eat it in case of diabetes. Unless one can give up all other carbohydrates for the sake of one or two slices of watermelon. But the powder from the seeds, ground to dust, just can be taken to normalize the sugar level.

Important: The glycemic index of watermelon is 65-70 units.

In pancreatitis.

During the exacerbation of this inflammatory disease, you can not eat watermelon, because its constituent substances cause severe irritation of the mucous membranes and only aggravate the course of the disease, since the pancreas also reacts to it. In remission you can eat watermelon, but preferably also not in fresh form, but as a jelly or other dessert that has been processed. The fact is that raw watermelon in any case will cause increased activity of the pancreas, in this case completely unnecessary.

With gastritis

Since watermelon pulp stimulates the production of gastric juice, it is allowed for gastritis with reduced acidity. But in this case, in the acute stage of gastritis with high acidity, it will be contraindicated because it aggravates the situation. But in the remission stage, you can eat a small amount of pulp, and the one that is closer to the core and is sweeter. But it is even better to use not the pulp itself in pure form, but drinks or jellies from it.

For the gut

For the intestines, watermelon is useful because the fiber contained in the pulp, as well as magnesium, increases peristalsis, which contributes to the digestive process. But at the same time, if it raises the intestinal motility too much, that in the presence of its chronic diseases can lead to a worsening of the pathology and to severe diarrhea. So in the presence of such a predisposition, it is clearly not necessary to abuse watermelon, 200-250 grams a day will be enough.

For constipation

A few slices of raw watermelon will be enough to make the digestive process work - and from the first time.

Gout

This is an inflammatory disease that occurs due to disorders of salt metabolism. Watermelon in this pathology is very useful - it does not contain purines, but helps to restore the metabolism and remove excess fluid and toxins from the body. With gout, it is recommended from time to time arranges unloading days on watermelon.

Colitis

This is an inflammatory bowel disease, which can worsen due to irritation of the mucous membranes with acids that are part of the watermelon. Therefore, when colitis is exacerbated, watermelon should not be consumed at all. And even in the period of remission, you need to be careful - no more than 200 g of pulp per day.

For the liver

Watermelon has detoxifying properties. It will help to eliminate harmful substances from the liver. To do this, it is enough to eat 150-200 grams of watermelon flesh during the whole season and observe a certain moderation in eating. You can also arrange unloading days as noted above.

If you have hemorrhoids

In this disease it is very important to avoid constipation. And with their prevention watermelon copes well. It contains a lot of vitamin C, which strengthens blood vessels and helps to fight those problems that lead to the development of the disease. Of course, drinking watermelon does not cancel the need to do special exercises.

In cholecystitis

During the exacerbation of cholecystitis, it is contraindicated to eat watermelon, because it can only aggravate the situation. This also applies to those cases where the disease is accompanied by the formation of stones in the bile duct. If cholecystitis is in remission and there are no concrements, then you can eat up to 250 g of watermelon per day, but it is better not all at once, but in two meals. So you can even reduce the symptoms of inflammation.

When poisoned

When poisoning with any food is shown therapeutic fasting, so that the watermelon can not be eaten in any case, even though it is known that it removes toxins. Sometimes just watermelon can be poisoned, since it may contain nitrates.

If the cause of poisoning was watermelon, you must first provoke vomiting to get rid of toxins. After that, you need to drink Enterosgel for normal intestinal function and removal of the last remains of harmful substances.

Watermelon in cosmetology

Given how many vitamins and minerals watermelon contains, it is not surprising that this large and sweet berry is widely used in cosmetology.

For face

There are many recipes for watermelon masks. Any of them will provide a healthy complexion and smooth skin after just one application. The chemical composition of watermelon promotes hydration. In addition, its juicy and sweet flesh has an anti-inflammatory effect. To get the desired effect, you can do the following masks:

1. Universal. You need to take the pulp from the middle of the watermelon to obtain several small pieces, peel them from the seeds and literally rub each slice on the skin of the face with massaging movements. This mask can be kept on the face for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Repeat the procedure once every three days. To check for allergic reactions, you should first apply the mask to the wrist or bend of the elbow.
2. Moisturizing. Take 1 tbsp. spoonful of freshly squeezed watermelon juice, stir it with the same amount of purified water, soak this liquid in gauze and keep it on your face for 15 minutes, then wash with cool water. You can use diluted watermelon juice as a tonic and wipe the skin twice a day, morning and evening.
3. Matting. Mix crushed watermelon pulp in equal proportions with starch and beat in a blender until the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the mixture to face for 15 minutes and then rinse off with cool water.
4. For normal skin. Take 1 tsp. each of honey, cottage cheese and crushed watermelon pulp, mix until smooth, apply to face for 15 minutes, then wash off.
5. For dry skin. Mix 1 tbsp. chopped watermelon pulp, 1 tsp. sour cream and the same amount of olive oil. Apply this mixture to the skin for 10 minutes, then remove with a cotton pad soaked in green tea, and then wipe your face with an ice cube.

In the summertime the skin can suffer from sunburns. With this problem will also help cope watermelon - but in this case not the pulp, and the crust, which should be cut into pieces, and then ground in a blender to the consistency of the pulp. This remedy can be smeared on sun-affected areas of the skin.

For Hair

Watermelon pulp is incredibly useful for hair, as it contains many valuable elements - amino acids, minerals, vitamins. For example, the already mentioned pigment lycopene protects the hair from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays, and niacin (one of the B vitamins) stimulates cell renewal. Antioxidants such as vitamins A and E prevent dandruff. They also help to fight hair loss, while B vitamins help restore hair structure and growth. Calcium helps to maintain their condition even after coloring, and iron is necessary to nourish the bulbs and normalize metabolism.

There are several recipes for hair masks. For any of them, you need to take only high-quality ripe fruit. In the simplest version, the mask is prepared from fresh pulp, which you can directly knead with your hands to a state of mush. This product should be applied to the entire length of the hair. If they are dry, then it is necessary to step back a little from the roots, if they are oily, then apply both on the skin and on the roots. After that, it is necessary to put a shower cap on the head, cover with a towel and hold for 20 minutes. After that, rinse with the usual shampoo. Water should be warm, but not hot.

Harm and contraindications

Many people believe that good quality watermelon will not bring harm in any way. In fact, this is not entirely true. Watermelon contains a lot of fiber, which improves intestinal motility. Exactly the same effect has magnesium, and there is a lot of it in the watermelon pulp, too. If a person has certain intestinal problems, then drinking watermelon will only aggravate them, and at best it will just cause diarrhea. But even this side effect is not as harmless as it seems, because it can lead to severe dehydration.

Watermelons are also contraindicated for people with chronic kidney disease or diabetes.

Symptoms of watermelon poisoning

As such, watermelon can not be poisoned, only the nitrates it contains - these substances are used to make the berries grow faster and increase in size. In fact, nitrates don't always have an instant toxic effect. In people with good enough health, they simply accumulate in the body for a long time. This leads to reduced immunity, weakness, sleep disorders, insomnia.

But in small children, as well as in expectant mothers or people suffering from diseases of the stomach and intestines, the effect will manifest itself very quickly. In this case, the symptoms of poisoning will be classic - nausea, to which soon adds vomiting, dizziness, pain in the stomach.

Sometimes poisoning can be caused not by the presence of nitrates, but by improper storage conditions. For example, if there is a scratch or crack on the surface, then pathogenic microbes can penetrate inside, and from there they go straight to the stomach, because the watermelon is not heat-treated. That is why it is necessary to choose these berries so carefully.

How to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon

The indicator that the watermelon grew in the melon field, and not in the greenhouse, is the presence of a yellowish spot on its surface - on this "side" the berry was lying on the bed. At the same time in the coloring of the watermelon should be clearly visible stripes. There should be a crackling sound when squeezed, and the top part of the rind should come off easily, even if you just scratch it slightly with your fingernail.

The watermelon's tail should be green and firm, but not dry. By the way, if the tail is cut off, it could indicate that the seller has done so on purpose, to hide the quality of the product. Many people remember that the watermelon should be knocked beforehand. The muffled sound means that the berry is too ripe, and the much too loud sound means that it is not ripe. Ideally, there should be a booming sound, like a vibration.

Of course, the buyer should first inspect the watermelon, check whether it has cracks and damage. By the way, the rind of the watermelon should not be shiny. With ripe berries it always has a slightly matte texture.

As for the shape and color, there are no such strict standards as before. In recent years, oblong, oval, and even square watermelons have appeared on the market. And they can taste different too, because different varieties differ from each other and the amount of sugar.

Watermelon has a light and fresh smell. With quality berries, you can smell it even through the crust. If there is no smell, it may indicate that it has actually been grown with chemicals.

How to check for nitrates

Theoretically, the buyer can ask the seller for documents confirming the quality of watermelon. This could be bills of lading indicating the source of receipt, certificates proving safety, etc. Unfortunately, sellers in the market do not always have such documents. And without cutting the watermelon it is almost impossible to check the presence or absence of nitrates in it.

But if the seller agrees to cut the watermelon, experts recommend to pay attention to the presence of white seeds. The fact is that when nitrates and other similar agricultural chemicals are used, the flesh ripens faster. But these substances have almost no effect on the seeds. So if there are a lot of white seeds, then nitrates could have been used in growing watermelon.

Also experts advise to pay attention to the number of yellow and white veins in the watermelon pulp. If there are many of such veins, it is an indication that during growing nitrogen fertilizers, nitrates, were used in excessive dosage.

By the way, the cut of watermelon containing nitrates will be smooth and even. With berries, which do not contain any harmful chemicals, the cut will always have grits.

How to properly store watermelon

Watermelon seasons do not last long, only 2-3 months, and not in all regions. However, quality ripe watermelons can be preserved through the winter - and even into the New Year. The ripeness is really important, since, unlike other fruits, watermelon can only mature on the melon field.

If you want to save watermelon until the New Year, you should not buy too big berries. The best option - watermelons weighing 4-5 kg. And it is best to buy late varieties of berries for long-term storage, many experts advise to take "Kholodok".

When choosing a watermelon you need to pay maximum attention to the state of its crust. On its surface there should not be even small damages. The slightest scratch can adversely affect the shelf life. Therefore, you should not only carefully inspect the watermelon when buying, but also very carefully carry it home.

The watermelon should be prepared for storage. To do this, wash it in cold water and wipe it thoroughly with a towel or paper towels, and then dry it naturally.

It is considered that the watermelon is best stored at a temperature of +1-5 degrees. If it is warm in the apartment, the fruit will keep for two weeks, no longer. It is better to move it to a glazed loggia. In a private house, of course, it is easier, because there is a cellar - an ideal place. The main thing is to keep it dry.

It is believed that the watermelon should not be stored on a hard surface, you must certainly put a soft towel under it. The room should not be too dry, for this berry needs normal humidity and good ventilation.

There are three main ways to store watermelon for a long time:

1. Hanging is the easiest option, but also the most effective. All you need for this is a sturdy canvas or canvas bag. In it you put this sunny berry and hang it. Do not use a polyethylene bag for this purpose, so the watermelon will spoil faster.
2. Storage in the sand is a more complex method, but no less effective. For this method you need a box, preferably wooden, in which to pour dry river sand, sifted so that it did not have large barnacles, pebbles and stones. This sand is poured on the bottom of the box so that there is a kind of "cushion" 10 cm thick. The watermelon is placed on it, so that its surface does not touch the walls. All the free space is filled with the prepared sand. It does not need to be compacted. Sand can be replaced by dry grains or dried straw (the latter is used for mass storage of the gourds crop). All these materials are needed to absorb excess moisture. In urban conditions, the easiest way to get sand.
3. Storage in water. Many housewives believe that this method is optimal, but in its pure form it can be implemented only if there is a private house. After all, in this case, you need to find a place to put a container of water in which the watermelon will float freely. In such conditions, it will easily retain its freshness for 4 months.

Some housewives recommend using cat litter instead of sand, but in fact these materials are not quite identical in composition. In addition, it is not clear whether or not this product reacts with the substances contained in watermelons.

Can you freeze it?

Theoretically, watermelon pulp and juice can be frozen. But you need to understand that freezing will cause the pulp to lose its original structure. It will not be crunchy and firm, but it can be added to ice cream, desserts, smoothies and jellies. You can also make fruit ice.

The easiest way is to freeze it in the form of cubes or balls. The watermelon will first need to be washed with cold water and wiped dry. To make it easier to handle the flesh, it is better to cut the berry into four parts. Watermelon peels should be cut off - they can be processed separately. Remove the seeds from the pulp, they are used in folk medicine, so do not throw them away.

If the pulp will be frozen in cubes, you should just cut it, but if it is in balls, use an ice cream scoop. The ready pieces should be placed on a plastic cutting board or a tray so that they do not touch each other, and then placed in the freezer for 2-4 hours. You can use the mode of fast freezing, if it is provided in the fridge. When the watermelon slices are frozen, separate them from the board with a wooden spatula and transfer them to a plastic container or bag. They can be stored in the freezer for a year.

There are other ways as well. For example, you can freeze watermelon with sugar. To do this you need to cut it into flesh as described above and the resulting pieces pour ordinary sugar sand - no more than 200 g per 1 kg of flesh. All this carefully mix with a spoon, put in a container and put in the freezer.

Watermelon slices can be frozen in peach or orange juice for a dessert with a tangy twist. The watermelon flesh can simply be poured into the juice in a convenient form.

In a standard form for ice, you can also freeze the watermelon juice itself, obtained from the pulp whipped in a blender. This ice can even be added to desserts, cocktails or soft drinks in winter.

How to eat watermelon properly

More often than not, watermelon is sliced. But this is not always convenient, especially for children, who often have time to get very dirty. It is better to cut off the peel from these slices and cut into cubes or just small pieces. If the watermelon itself is small, its flesh can be eaten with a spoon, cutting the berry into four pieces. Children will be most comfortable in this way.

How much you can eat in a day

It is believed that for a person with healthy kidneys and normal metabolism, the maximum amount of watermelon that can be eaten during the day is 1 kg. However, for a child, especially young children, it should be about three times less. Again, you need to take into account the individual reaction of the body, and if watermelon produces a strong diuretic effect, then reduce this amount.

Is it possible to eat at night and on an empty stomach

You should not eat watermelon on an empty stomach. It irritates the mucous membranes of the stomach, and this causes dyspepsia and various unpleasant feelings. Theoretically, you can eat watermelons at night - they are not too caloric food. But they contain a lot of water and fiber, and give quite a strong diuretic and mild laxative effect. Therefore, in order to have a good rest and a good night's sleep, it is better not to eat these berries after 6 pm.

Is it possible to eat watermelon seeds

Watermelon seeds are very healthy - they contain arginine, B vitamins, minerals, etc. However, scientists say that these seeds are beneficial only if they are chewed properly and not just swallowed. Of course, you can eat the seeds together with the pulp, but in such cases you can't always chew them, so most often they are eaten separately and dried.

Can we eat watermelons in July?

In most of the European territory of Russia, quality ripe watermelons appear only in the second half of August. But in the sunny and hot summer it can happen earlier - at the beginning of August. But those watermelons that appear on the shelves in July, simply would not have had time to ripen in the open ground, that is, in the melon field. Their ripening was accelerated by the fact that they were placed under the film or originally grown in a greenhouse.

The problem is that both outdoor and greenhouse cultivation put nitrogen fertilizers, i.e. nitrates, into the soil. But during natural ripening, these substances have time to disintegrate, and they do not get into the human body as toxins. But this does not happen with greenhouse cultivation. And even if there are no symptoms of poisoning, these substances have time to get into the kidneys and liver, where they accumulate, leading over time to negative consequences. So with the purchase of watermelons is better to wait at least until the middle of August.

What can be made from watermelon: recipes

Watermelon is an almost universal berry. First, it is good by itself, in raw form. Secondly, they make juice from it, which, in turn, makes delicious watermelon ice, which can be added to any drink. Watermelon is also used to make summer crochet, alcoholic cocktails, smoothies, jellies, and sorbets. And, of course, it is added to fruit salads or served with creamy ice cream.

But watermelon can be used for more than just desserts. It goes well with unsweetened vegetables and cheese. For example, you can make a salad with watermelon, cucumbers, arugula and bryndza. Or even a cold gazpacho soup made of tomatoes and watermelons by whipping their pulp in a blender and adding green onions, basil and mint.

Jam

Many people have tried watermelon rind jam. But in fact, a delightful dessert can also be obtained from the pulp of this berry. For the jam you will need 0.7 kg of watermelon pulp for 1 kg of granulated sugar, 10 grams of citric acid and vanilla sugar each, since these berries do not have their own distinct aroma.

Watermelon should be washed, peel the crusts, peel the pulp from seeds and cut it into not too small cubes. All this put in a pot, a basin or other container for cooking jam and pour sugar. In order to have time to release a sufficient amount of liquid, leave it all for a couple of hours. Then put the pan with the juice and pulp on medium heat, bring to a boil and leave on medium heat for another 15 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula. Then remove from the stove and leave until it cools completely. Repeat this procedure three more times. At the last boil in the already boiling and almost cooked mass add citric acid and vanilla sugar, cook for 15 minutes, and then remove from the heat, cool slightly and put in prepared jars.

Compote

When heated, watermelon loses some of its healing properties, but it still has a lot of useful substances. And compote from watermelon is stored longer than freshly squeezed juice. Prepare it this way - for 1 liter of water take 0.5 kg of watermelon pulp and 3-4 tablespoons of sugar. Mix sugar in hot water, throw in watermelon flesh, cut into cubes (remove seeds in advance) and bring to a boil, and then turn off immediately to preserve more useful substances. Compote cool. For the table it is better to serve cold or add ice cubes.

Ice Cream .

You can make fruit ice by freezing watermelon juice with pureed pulp. But you can make full-fledged ice cream. For this, you will need 1 cup of 20% cream and 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar for 400 grams of watermelon flesh.

The watermelon flesh is prepared as usual, removing the seeds from it and cutting it into pieces, so that it fits into the bowl of a blender. After that it is whipped into a homogeneous puree, add cream and beat again, this time with a mixer, long enough to make the mass quite "fluffy" and airy. At the final stage, powdered sugar is poured into the resulting mixture and beaten again with a mixer, but at low speed.

If you want, you can pour the mixture into molds (either pre-made or in yogurt jars) and stick wooden or plastic sticks in them. But, unfortunately, in this case the texture will lose its airiness, and ice crystals may appear in the ice cream, so it is better to put it in the freezer in a plastic container. It is enough to keep in the freezer for 2.5 hours - the mass has time to freeze sufficiently, but you can still whip it with a mixer. After beating it, put it back in the freezer for 2 to 2.5 hours. Serve the dessert in bowls, making balls with a special ice cream scoop. You can decorate it with sprigs of mint and slices of fresh watermelon.

Wine

Since watermelon is a berry, from which many non-alcoholic drinks are prepared, it is logical to assume that you can make wine from it as well. However, you should keep in mind that watermelon pulp is about 93% water, so you will need a lot of it. Yes, and you need to take more sugar. For example, for a 9 kg watermelon, in which the pulp will be about 1 kg less, you have to take 0.6-1 kg of sugar.

For making home wine, you should choose only the sweetest watermelons, otherwise the drink will seem strong. You won't make a table wine from these berries, only a strong sweet one. You should wash the watermelon, cut off its peel and peel its pulp. You should take only the red pulp, white parts should be ruthlessly thrown out. The resulting raw material is crushed in a blender, the juice is poured into a prepared glass bottle and pour sugar in the above proportion. However, the amount of sugar can be adjusted depending on how strong the wine you want to get.

The fermentation should take place in a dark place and at room temperature. The bottle should be fitted with a water seal - that is, all this is done as usual in the process of making home wine. Some owners recommend adding just a drop of ammonia to speed up the fermentation process, but it is better to let everything happen naturally. When the fermentation process is complete, the wine should be filtered with gauze and poured into prepared bottles. Usually the wine has a pink hue, sometimes a little reddish.

Pickled watermelon in jars

This unusual way of winter storage of watermelon will suit those who like to experiment. To prepare it take 2 kg of watermelon flesh, and it is not necessary to cut the crusts, 1 liter of water, 70 ml of table vinegar, 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 1.5 tablespoons of fine salt. Bring the water to a boil, add sugar and salt, stir it, leave it on low heat for 10 minutes more. Then remove the preparation for marinade from the stove, strain, add vinegar. At the same time, cut the watermelon into small pieces, so that it was convenient to place in a container, then put it in the prepared jars and pour the marinade. Preparations sterilized for 20 minutes, close the lid, turn the jar upside down and cool.

Can we give watermelon to pets?

Both dogs and cats can be given watermelon - many pets reach for it themselves, since it is also an important source of vitamins and minerals for them, and they feel it. But you should only give animals watermelon pulp that has been peeled and crusted off. Otherwise, the harder surface of the crust can injure the esophagus or even the intestines.

Interesting facts about watermelon

It may seem like a watermelon is a berry that everyone knows everything about. But scientists never cease to be surprised by new and new discoveries. So the watermelon is a very interesting berry. It can be considered completely edible. In China, they have even learned to use absolutely all of its parts. For example, the seeds are roasted as described above, and the rinds are used to make not only sweet candied fruits. They are also salted, pickled, stewed, turning them into a light vegetable snack.

What else interesting science says about the watermelon? Curious are such facts:

1. Although the watermelon is a berry, it is related not only to the pumpkin, but also to cucumbers and zucchinis.
2. It is not known exactly where the watermelon was cultivated, but scientists are certain that it was South Africa.
3. The oldest watermelon, the seeds of which were found at the excavation of a Lebanese settlement, is at least 5,000 years old.
4. Today, watermelons are grown in 96 countries, with China and Turkey being the leaders.
5. There are more than 1,200 varieties of watermelon, most of them with red flesh, but there are also yellow and cream ones.
6. Watermelon is most often round or slightly oblong in shape, but in Japan square fruits have been bred. It is believed that this was done to prevent watermelons from rolling off the table. Square watermelons were first bred more than 30 years ago, when the Japanese began to place the ovary in special light-permeable boxes of appropriate shape. Then the fruit grew and took the shape of the box. Today, such square watermelons are grown in Brazil, the Emirates, and even in England. Nowadays, technology allows watermelons to be grown in other shapes, too, such as triangular, heart-shaped or even human faces.
7. In Vietnam, the watermelon is considered a symbol of the New Year, which is somewhat strange for the residents of Russia. According to the Vietnamese beliefs watermelon brings good luck, and not only financially, but also in all areas of life.
8. Watermelon is a natural antidepressant - its constituent substances contribute to the production of hormones of joy.

Photo of watermelons