Watermelon is a favorite summer food for adults and children. At the same time, everyone knows that not only the pulp of a watermelon is edible, but also the rinds and even the seeds. What are the benefits for humans from eating watermelons and watermelon rinds, as well as what harm they can cause to the health of the body, find out from the article and video.
What does watermelon consist of and how is it used?
This melon plant is represented by a thousand varieties, differing in shape and size, color and pattern of the skin, its thickness, and the quality of the pulp and seeds.
This melon crop consists of 80% water, so it has a low calorie content - only 25-30 kcal. At the same time, watermelon pulp is a source of:
- organic acids;
- fiber and pectin;
- alkaline substances and lycopene;
- easily digestible carbohydrates;
- vitamins – A, PP, P, C, group B;
- minerals - iron, potassium, phosphorus, fluorine, zinc and others.
Watermelon is 80% water
All these useful material in addition to pulp, they are also contained in watermelon rinds, and some of them contain fiber, amino acids and chlorophyll in even greater quantities. Therefore, it is recommended not to throw away the peels, but to use them for preparing medicinal decoctions and infusions, culinary delights - jam, marmalade, candied fruits.
Watermelon pulp has also found use in cooking; drinks, syrups, jellies and other desserts, marshmallows, honey, salted and pickled preparations for the winter are prepared from it. Watermelon bread, dried or fried watermelon in batter, looks quite exotic.
Attention! In terms of the content of potassium salts in its composition, watermelon is ahead of oranges and bananas, and in terms of the content of lycopene, a bioactive substance that resists the formation of cancer cells, - tomatoes. In terms of the amount of iron in its composition, watermelon is second only to spinach and lettuce.
In China, watermelon seeds are as popular as sunflower or pumpkin seeds in our country. And not in vain, since they have an anthelmintic effect, contribute to the improvement of the vascular system, and strengthen the heart. A quarter of watermelon seeds consist of fatty oils, which are used as food in some countries.
Attention! Oil obtained from watermelon seeds has properties similar to almond oil and tastes like olive oil.
Watermelon seeds help strengthen the heart
What are the health benefits?
Watermelon is a product whose pulp, rind, and seeds have medicinal properties.
Official medicine recommends the use of watermelon as a natural diuretic that can cleanse the kidneys. Along with urine, watermelon removes toxins, sand, toxic substances and salt deposits. It is also useful for the liver, especially for those who suffer from hepatitis, cholecystitis, and diseases of the biliary tract.
Watermelon is a real antidepressant; the beta-carotene it contains allows you to cope with emotional and mental tension and stress. The use of this melon crop serves as a preventive measure:
The high iron content makes it possible to recommend watermelon as a means of combating anemia of varying degrees. Its use will be very useful for anyone who has undergone antibiotic treatment or undergone surgery under anesthesia. Folic acid contained in watermelon is useful for women planning pregnancy, as it creates conditions for normal development nervous and hematopoietic system in the fetus. Its use by nursing women increases lactation.
IN medicinal purposes use and watermelon rinds. For example, juice squeezed from watermelon rinds and consumed 100 ml on an empty stomach has a diuretic effect. Its use will be useful for inflammatory processes occurring in the genitourinary system and to combat overweight, swelling.
Watermelon juice has diuretic properties
IN home cosmetology watermelon rinds are used:
- for the preparation of lotions, the regular use of which has a moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and tonic effect on oily and combination skin;
- for masks that have a tonic effect on aging skin.
Watermelon seed oil has an antiphlogistic effect, accelerating the healing of burns and wounds. It is used for hair and nail care, as well as for the prevention of prostatitis and urethritis.
Harmful properties and contraindications
Basically, the harm from consuming watermelon and watermelon rinds is associated with their ability to accumulate nitrates and other harmful substances. Consuming them may cause diarrhea, allergic rashes, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain. Nitrates entering human body can be converted into nitrites, which reduce the level of hemoglobin in the blood, provoking the development of cancer cells
Watermelon accumulates nitrates, so it should be consumed with caution.
Advice! You shouldn’t take risks and buy watermelons before the season, most likely they contain increased amount nitrates
Soaking them in water will help reduce the concentration of toxic substances in watermelon rinds. cold water for 2-3 hours.
You should completely exclude watermelons from your diet if you have the following diseases:
- colitis, dysbacteriosis;
- flatulence, diarrhea;
- cholelithiasis or urolithiasis;
- type 2 diabetes;
- pathology of the prostate gland.
Children can be given watermelon only from 2-3 years of age - no more than 100 g daily, from 4 to 6 years - no more than 150 g.
Children can eat watermelon only from 2-3 years old
The use of watermelon rinds is contraindicated for chronic gastrointestinal ailments and kidney diseases.
Take advantage of the watermelon season to enjoy the taste and improve your health. To be sure of the quality of the watermelons you consume, it is better to grow them yourself or purchase them in stores and official markets, where they can provide a quality certificate.
The benefits and harms of watermelon - video
Watermelon - photo
Watermelon is the largest false berry on earth, round or oval in shape, with a dense rind with a smooth surface, and red or pink, very juicy, sweet pulp. Watermelon is a berry from the pumpkin family. Everyone knows watermelon as a wonderful delicacy that quenches thirst in the summer heat. How are watermelon rinds used in folk medicine?
Watermelon contains up to 12% sugars, more than half of which are fructose, the rest are sucrose and glucose.
Watermelon is a source of pectin, vitamins C, PP, B1, B2, fiber, provitamin A, folic acid.
Of the microelements, watermelon contains a lot of manganese, iron, nickel, potassium, magnesium, iron. Watermelon seeds contain a large amount of vitamin D and are rich in fatty oils.
Basically, watermelons are eaten fresh; in summer, watermelon perfectly quenches thirst and is a source of microelements that replenish the microelements lost in sweat in the human body.
Watermelons are salted; when fermented and pickled, they do not lose their healing properties.
Watermelon juice, when boiled, is converted into watermelon honey, containing over 90% sugars.
Watermelon rind is used to make candied fruits, marmalade and jam; it is dried and used as a medicinal product.
Watermelon seeds are used to make watermelon oil.
Watermelon can be consumed by people of any age, and its healing properties have found their use in folk and official medicine.
Beneficial properties of watermelons and watermelon rind
Watermelons significantly improve the digestive process. Fiber in watermelon pulp is an excellent stimulator of beneficial intestinal microflora. Watermelon - alkaline product, it neutralizes Negative consequences acids from eggs, meat, bread, fish.
Watermelon contains a lot of folic acid, which is essential for normal life every person, because it is involved in hematopoiesis, as well as the synthesis of amino acids. Folic acid is a stimulant fat metabolism, has a pronounced anti-sclerotic effect. The effect of folic acid is significantly enhanced by vitamins C, P, and choline. Watermelon is mainly eaten raw, this allows you to bring all the valuable reserves of folic acid to the body, unlike other products that are subject to heat treatment, from which it is destroyed.
Watermelon eliminates the negative effects of drug treatment, as well as anesthesia; it is useful to consume after operations and after long-term illnesses.
1. A decoction of watermelon seeds, and a decoction of fresh watermelon rinds, has excellent diuretic effect. A Watermelon rinds are dried and used to prepare such decoctions in winter.
2. Both watermelon and a decoction of watermelon rinds are consumed for edema caused by diseases of the kidneys, heart and blood vessels, liver.
3.For urolithiasis Daily consumption of watermelon pulp (up to 2.5-3 kg) or drinking a decoction of watermelon rinds (up to 2 liters) helps dissolve stones and prevents the progression of the disease.
4.For kidney stones salts found in urinary tract and kidneys, dissolve under the influence of the alkaline environment of urine, which appears when eating watermelon. For therapeutic effect you need to eat a large plastic watermelon every hour.
5. Cut off the hard part from the watermelon rinds. upper layer. Finely chop the green part of the peels, dry them in the oven at low temperature until half cooked, then scatter them on a cloth in the room and dry them. In winter, dried watermelon rinds can be taken as medicine from jade, kidney stones, edema. For treatment you need 1 tsp. Eat watermelon rinds half an hour before meals with half a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of honey. Take the product daily, three times a day. Dried watermelon rinds should be stored in a linen bag, a dry place, or in a paper bag.
6. A remedy taken for colitis. Pour 100 g of dry watermelon rinds into half a liter of boiling water in a thermos and leave for 2 hours. Drink 1/2 cup of infusion up to 5 times a day.
7. For sore throat, tuberculosis. Trim the watermelon rinds from the thick rind, slice and grind in a meat grinder. Squeeze out the juice. Gargle with watermelon rind juice every hour.
8.For dull facial skin, pigmentation. You should wipe your face with watermelon rind juice three times a day, rinsing off after 15 minutes with clean water.
9. After hepatitis, alcoholism, to restore the liver. Juice squeezed from watermelon rinds should be given to the patient 1 tbsp. every hour, every day.
10.For diabetes mellitus. Large doses of watermelon are contraindicated for diabetics, but it will be very useful to drink juice from green watermelon rinds, 1/4 cup 4 times a day: it contains all essential microelements and vitamins, as in the red pulp of watermelon, but sugar - in minimal quantities.
11. From acne, boils, trophic ulcers, bedsores need to wipe the skin fresh juice from watermelon rinds, or make lotions.
12.For migraine, severe headache. You need to apply fresh watermelon rinds to your temples and forehead, securing them with a bandage. Once the crusts warm up, you can add more. Repeat the procedure until the pain subsides. The same remedy can be used for rheumatic pain.
But also its seeds and rind. The benefits of watermelon rind for colitis, dysentery, constipation, etc. have been proven.
Fresh green or dried watermelon rind is given to children for colitis.
Infusion of watermelon rinds. 2 tbsp. crushed and dried watermelon rinds, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave, strain. Take 80-100 ml of infusion 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals for diseases of the liver and biliary tract (as a choleretic), uric acid diathesis (as a diuretic), colitis (in children).
Decoction of watermelon rinds. In folk medicine, dry and fresh watermelon rinds are used in the form of a 1:10 decoction as a diuretic.
Benefits of watermelon rinds for constipation
Do not throw away the watermelon rinds, but chop them finely and dry them, crush 1 tsp before use. mint pour 200 ml of boiling water, let it brew for 20 minutes, add 1 tbsp. watermelon powder and drink before meals every day until you see results. Store watermelon rinds for no more than a year.
The benefits of watermelon rinds for dysentery
Dry the watermelon rinds in the oven and grind into powder. First, give the patient 1 tsp for 2 days in a row. rhubarb powder, and on the third day 2 tsp. watermelon powder.
For acute and chronic inflammation large intestine, an infusion is recommended: 80-100 g of dried watermelon rinds per 2 cups of boiling water.The benefits of watermelon rinds for inflammation in the kidneys
A decoction of dry and fresh watermelon rinds (1:1) is taken 0.5 cups 3-4 times a day as a strong diuretic.
Candied watermelon rinds
Candied watermelon rinds. Cut watermelon rinds into small cubes. Cook in boiling water until they become soft. Cook sugar syrup and dip boiled watermelon rinds into it. Leave them in the syrup for 8-10 hours. Then boil for 10 minutes. Repeat this process several times until the crusts become transparent. At the end of cooking, add citric acid and vanillin. Throw the hot crusts onto a sieve, let the syrup drain, sprinkle them with granulated sugar, mix and dry in a low-heat oven. Watermelon rinds - 1 kg, sugar - 1.5 kg, water - 800 ml, citric acid - 1 tsp, vanillin.
The benefits of watermelon rinds for osteochondrosis
Watermelon rinds for osteochondrosis. To prepare a cure for osteochondrosis, you need to eat a watermelon, then remove the green layer of the watermelon rind, dry it in the oven, grind it in a coffee grinder and take 0.5-1 tsp 2-3 times a day. It is a strong diuretic and salt-reducing agent that reduces swelling and inflammation in tissues and nerve roots.
The benefits of watermelon rinds as a diuretic
To enhance the diuretic effect watermelon rinds mixed with corn silk. This mixture improves the functioning of the liver and intestines, and also lowers blood pressure. Instead of dried watermelon rinds, you can also use zucchini rinds and cucumber peels.
Benefits of watermelon rinds for urinary incontinence
IN old age people suffer from urinary incontinence. Watermelon tea will help you. Needs to be cut green rind from watermelons, dry it and make a decoction from it, drink it like tea. In a month you will get rid of this scourge by strengthening your bladder.
The benefits of watermelon rinds for inflammation of the large intestine
Dried watermelon rinds chop, 5 tbsp. pour 2 cups of boiling water, close the lid and leave until cool. Strain. Take half a glass 4 times a day.
Watermelon rinds remove bags under the eyes. Pour 200 g of dried watermelon rinds into a thermos with 0.7 liters of boiling water, leave for 3-4 hours and drink 200 ml 3 times a day.
The benefits of watermelon rinds for migraines
Watermelon rinds for the treatment of migraine (headache). In slow sips, without haste, drink 2 glasses of watermelon juice and tie a thick watermelon rind to your forehead. The pain recedes and does not return for a long time.
The benefits of watermelon rinds for hypertension
Watermelon rinds help prevent hypertension. Watermelon rinds will help fight hypertension, heart and kidney diseases. For heart patients and those suffering renal failure The professor advises people to cut the rind off the watermelon and boil it for 5 minutes. Then you should only drink 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. the resulting decoction, and after a month the result will not be slow to appear.
The benefits of watermelon rinds for rejuvenating the body
Watermelon rind cocktail contributes to normalization blood pressure and rejuvenates the body. Cut clean watermelon rinds with white pulp into small pieces and dry in the oven. Grind well-dried watermelon rinds into powder in a coffee grinder. Add 1 tsp per glass of kefir or whey. powder and drink this cocktail 2 times a day.
Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.
Pumpkin family - Cucurbitaceae.
Description
An annual monoecious plant with a creeping stem and branched tendrils. The leaves are large, deeply three to five divided. The flowers are unisexual, light yellow. The fruit of watermelon is a spherical false berry. The fruits are large, spherical, less often oval or cylindrical with a smooth surface, with red or pink juicy sweet pulp and numerous seeds. Some varieties have white or yellowish-white flesh. The color of the bark is green, dark green, sometimes white with a pattern in the form of stripes or a grid. Stem length 2–3 m.
Spreading
Watermelon is cultivated in many regions of the Earth with dry and hot climates. The homeland of watermelon is South and Central Africa.
Habitat
Cultivated on melons.
Flowering time
June July.
Collection time
Aug. Sept.
Harvesting method
Crust ripe watermelon shiny. If you knock on it, the sound will be clear and ringing. Store watermelons, laid out on shelves in one row, with the tails up, at a temperature of 0 to 5°C.
Chemical composition
Watermelon is a source of pectin, nitrogenous and alkaline substances, fiber, vitamins B1, B2, C, PP, folic acid and provitamin A, as well as salts of manganese, nickel, iron, magnesium and potassium. Watermelon pulp contains up to 12% sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose). Fructose makes up about half of all sugars and determines the sweetness of watermelon. A fruit weighing 3–4 kg contains up to 150 g of pure fructose. The seeds contain up to 25–30% fatty oil rich in vitamin D.
Applicable part
Fruits (pulp and rind) and seeds.
Application
In folk medicine, the pulp, rind, seeds and juice of watermelon are used:
- In febrile conditions;
- As a strong diuretic;
- As a mild laxative;
- As a choleretic;
- As an anti-inflammatory;
- As hemostatic agents;
- For dropsy;
- With jaundice;
- For the treatment of colitis in children;
- For burns;
- For diseases of the liver and gall bladder;
- With anemia;
- For pulmonary tuberculosis;
- At chronic cystitis, jade;
- For stones in the kidneys, bladder and ureter;
- In case of intoxication.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients diabetes mellitus. Do not use for the treatment of alkaline urinary tract stones.
Mode of application
Most often, watermelons are used fresh. The fruit pulp and juice quench thirst well. The presence of delicate fiber and pectin substances in watermelon has a beneficial effect on digestion and improves intestinal microflora. It is also useful in the diet of obese patients. The seeds have hemostatic and anthelmintic properties. Watermelon is good for people of any age. Its medicinal properties are widely used in medicine.
Pulp
- Regular consumption of watermelon provides healthy sleep, peace of mind, and for men - increased potency.
- Red gruel watermelon pulp applied to the wound skin diseases, for healing non-healing festering wounds.
- For diabetes, small doses of watermelon are recommended. This is explained by the fact that ripe watermelon contains a lot of fructose, which is easily digestible and, unlike sucrose, does not cause a load on the insular apparatus of the pancreas. But diabetics should be very careful with watermelons.
- Watermelons improve the digestion process. Fiber and pectin substances in watermelon pulp promote the vital activity of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines. Watermelon is rich in alkaline substances that neutralize excess acids coming from staple foods: eggs, fish, meat and bread.
- In case of kidney stone disease, the alkalinity of urine increases under the influence of substances contained in watermelon, the salts become soluble and are excreted due to the diuretic effect. In this case, watermelon should be eaten in even portions, even at night. However, it should be remembered that stone formation can also occur in alkaline urine (for example, phosphate stones). In this case, do not use watermelon treatment.
- For urolithiasis, cystitis and nephritis, occurring without water retention in the body, watermelon can be eaten from 2 to 2.5 kg of watermelon per day.
- Watermelon is an excellent diuretic. It should be eaten for edema associated with diseases of cardio-vascular system, kidneys and liver.
- Watermelon contains folic acid, which is important for cardiovascular diseases. It is involved in the synthesis of amino acids and hematopoiesis, regulates fat metabolism, and has an anti-sclerotic effect, like choline and vitamins C and P contained in watermelon pulp.
- Watermelon is also useful for anemia, since in addition to folic acid it contains iron salts.
- Watermelon fiber, enhancing intestinal motility, accelerates the elimination of excess cholesterol, therefore watermelon is useful for atherosclerosis and hypertension.
- Watermelon is useful for restoring liver function after jaundice.
- For gallstones, watermelons are used in therapeutic nutrition, and they are also a good choleretic agent for hepatitis.
- For diseases of the liver and gall bladder, watermelon removes fluid from the body and nourishes the liver tissue with easily digestible sugars.
- It is useful to eat watermelon during the period after a long and serious illness, and also after surgery, especially if it was performed under anesthesia.
- In the diet of obese patients, watermelon pulp is used to simulate satiety. The pulp is low in calories (about 38 kcal per 100 g).
Crust
Watermelon rinds are used fresh and dried, and a decoction and infusion are also prepared from them.
A thick watermelon rind tied to the forehead and temples helps with headaches and migraines.
The outer green layer of the watermelon rind is thinly cut, finely chopped, dried first in a warm oven, then dried at room temperature. Grind. Take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day before meals, washed down with honey diluted in water: half a teaspoon of honey per 50 ml of warm boiled water. Store dried watermelon rinds in a paper bag. Used for chronic cystitis, nephritis, kidney stones, bladder and ureter as a diuretic.
Decoction of watermelon rinds
1 tablespoon of watermelon rinds is poured with 1 glass of boiling water, boiled for 10–15 minutes in a water bath. Cool and filter. Take 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day as a diuretic. You can use dried and fresh peels.
Infusion of watermelon rinds
100 g of dried peels are poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water and left until cool. Take 1/2 cup 4-5 times a day for colitis.
Watermelon "honey"
Ingredients: ripe sweet watermelons.
Preparation: select the pulp, rub through a sieve, filter through 2-3 layers of gauze and bring the resulting juice to a boil, stirring constantly and skimming off the foam. Then the juice is filtered again through 3-4 layers of gauze and boiled over low heat, stirring until the volume decreases by 5-6 times and thick brown “honey” is obtained.
Candied watermelon
Ingredients: watermelons of the “Candied” variety or others - 1 kg of peeled rinds, sugar - 1.5 kg, water - 4 cups, citric acid, vanillin - on the tip of a knife.
Preparation: prepare syrup from sugar and water. Cut the peels, peeled from the pulp, into small cubes and dip into sugar syrup. Cook for 7–10 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and leave for 8–10 hours, then cook again for 7–10 minutes and let stand again. This is repeated 4 times until the crusts become transparent. During the last boiling, add vanillin and citric acid to the syrup. Place the hot peels in a colander, let the syrup drain, then sprinkle with granulated sugar, stir, shaking to remove excess sugar, and dry the candied fruits in a hot oven.
Salted watermelons, whole
Ingredients: semi-ripe small watermelons.
Preparation: Wash the watermelons well and chop them in several places to a depth of 3 cm, then put them in a barrel with pre-prepared brine (take 400 g per bucket of cold water table salt and 1.2 kg of sugar, if the brine is prepared without sugar, then take 700–800 g of salt per bucket of water). The water should cover the watermelons. Place a clean cloth, a circle and a weight on top. After 3 days, take the barrel out into the cold. After 3 weeks, watermelons are ready to eat.
Salted watermelon is a very exquisite delicacy. It is served as a side dish for meat and fish.
Pickled watermelons in a jar
Ingredients: half-ripe watermelons, salt - 1 tablespoon, sugar - 1 tablespoon, vinegar - 1 teaspoon, water - 1 liter.
Preparation: Wash the watermelons well. Cut into small pieces, peel off. Place in a 3-liter jar and fill with prepared marinade. After three days they are ready to eat.
Hello, friends! Today our topic: The benefits of watermelon rinds. As already noted, watermelon is beneficial in vitamins and microelements. Watermelon rinds contain vitamins and microelements large quantities, as well as a lot of fiber necessary to support digestion.
Watermelon has proven itself as good remedy to fight kidney stones.
The benefits of watermelon rinds - application.
- Watermelon rinds can be boiled and the infusion drunk to combat kidney stones.
Especially green thin crusts help fight edema caused by diseases of the heart, blood vessels, liver and kidneys, as well as combat colitis.
- To combat colitis, cut the thin green peel from the white pulp watermelon rinds, chop, dry in the oven and store in a jar. Pour a glass of dried watermelon rinds about 5 boiling water into a thermos and leave for about two hours. Drink 100 g of infusion 5 times during the day.
- To combat diarrhea, grind dry watermelon green rinds and take 1 tsp every 2 hours with water.
- Watermelon rinds, likewise, effectively help with headaches. Apply watermelon rinds to your temples and forehead, secure with a bandage and change them as they heat up. They absorb everything bad from the body and release substances that are beneficial to the body.
- To combat rheumatism, fresh watermelon peels are good, which should be applied to sore spots and changed as they warm up.
- To treat sunburned skin areas, it is useful to apply finely chopped watermelon rinds to the sunburned areas. Leave the watermelon peels on the skin for 1 hour and rinse with cool water.
- To treat a sore throat, you can gargle with watermelon rind juice.
- Juice from watermelon rinds is useful in restoring the body after alcoholism and hepatitis. It is recommended to drink half a glass of watermelon rind juice 4 times a day.
Results.
Watermelon rinds are healthy and widely used for various ailments. Don't throw away watermelon rinds.
Make a boil, cut off the green peel in a thin layer and dry it in the oven for future use, it will be useful for treating diarrhea, colitis, and swelling.
Make freshly squeezed juice from the thick pulp of watermelon rinds. Watermelon juice contains practically no sugar and is very healthy. Juice from watermelon rinds will strengthen the immune system and restore strength after illness and medication. It can be consumed with honey.
And don't forget. It's simple and useful.
In conclusion, see how to cut a watermelon quickly and beautifully:
Be healthy and prosperous!
With respect and love, Alina Taranets .
Source
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Click on the pictures and check out the products. Some products can be purchased at huge discounts. For example, only from this blog when ordering a course “Healthy spine in 2 weeks”, and "How to cure cervical osteochondrosis without drugs" enter coupon SALE30 and get 30% discount.
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For many, the main value of a watermelon is considered to be its tasty pulp, and the peel is often simply thrown away, without thinking about the fact that it can bring no less benefit to the body. Today, watermelon rinds are used not only fresh, but also prepared for the winter as candied fruits, preserves, jam and various snacks for meat and fish dishes. They are also dried to obtain raw materials for cooking. medicinal decoctions and infusions. However, you need to purchase only high-quality watermelons and carefully familiarize yourself with the process of preparing the rinds, since it is in them that a certain amount of radioactive and toxic substances accumulates.
The benefits and harms of watermelon rinds
In addition to water, they include:- Dietary fiber and organic acids;
- Lycopene and pectins;
- Saccharides;
- Vitamins A, C, E, PP and group B;
- Potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, silicon, zinc and iron.
At the same time, watermelon rinds contain fiber, chlorophyll and amino acids in a larger volume than the pulp.
If you are not sure of the quality of the watermelon, then to protect yourself from harmful substances, you should clean them and soak them for several hours in filtered cold water. During this time, toxic substances will pass into the water, but most beneficial substances will remain. After this, the raw materials can be used both in cooking and for cosmetic purposes and treatment, and they will not cause harm to health. They can also be dried to be stored for the winter.
Options for using watermelon rinds
Watermelon rinds are used in cooking, cosmetology, and also in various recipes traditional medicine.
Making candied fruits from watermelon rinds
In order to prepare tasty and healthy candied fruits you will need:
- Watermelon rind - one and a half kilograms;
- Sugar - eight hundred grams;
- Water - half a liter (for syrup).
Cooking method:
- You need to remove the green skin and remaining pulp from the watermelon rinds;
- Cut the resulting raw materials into small cubes or strips, put them in a pan with boiling water and cook for about ten minutes;
- After this, place the crusts in a colander and wait until the water drains from them;
- At this time, you can start preparing the syrup by mixing clean water with sugar and starting to heat them;
- When the syrup boils, put the prepared candied fruits into it, boil them for ten minutes, remove from the stove and let it brew for about twelve hours. Repeat the procedure four to six times until the crusts become transparent. If desired, during the last cooking you can add a small amount of lemon juice and vanillin to the syrup;
- Place the finished crusts in a colander and wait until they cool and the excess syrup drains;
- After this, sprinkle the candied fruits with sugar, spread on a baking sheet with foil and leave for several days to dry;
- Store the finished product in glass jars.
Candied watermelon rinds are recommended to be included in the diet of people who have renal colic, gout, hypertension, constipation and pancreatic diseases. They can be eaten as a separate product or added to cereals, cottage cheese and confectionery products. People with diabetes and obesity should not abuse them.
How to make candied watermelon rinds (video)
Pickled watermelon rinds
Pickled watermelon rinds can be used in a variety of salads, vinaigrettes, soups, gravies and other dishes. They taste like canned cucumbers.
Ingredients:
- One large watermelon (rinds)
- Salt - one hundred grams;
- Sugar - four hundred grams;
- Apple cider vinegar - five hundred milliliters;
- Water - two hundred and fifty milliliters (for marinade);
- Ginger (fresh) grated - one tablespoon;
- Spices - to taste.
Marinating method:
- Peel the watermelon rinds, cut into slices, place in a pan of boiling water, cook for ten minutes, then place in a colander;
- Prepare a marinade from water and remaining ingredients;
- Place the peels in the boiling marinade and cook until they become translucent;
- Transfer the finished crusts into sterile jars, fill with marinade and seal.
Watermelon rinds in cosmetology
Fresh watermelon rinds are widely used in home cosmetology. All the beneficial substances contained in their composition have a rejuvenating effect on the skin, make it elastic, give a healthy color and relieve swelling. Face masks that include watermelon peel pulp have a number of other properties:
- Moisturizing;
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Tonic;
- Regulating the activity of the sebaceous glands.
How to make a watermelon mask (video)
These masks are quite easy to prepare:
- The watermelon rinds, peeled from green peel, should be crushed using a grater and warm olive or almond oil (in a small amount) should be added to them. Apply the resulting mixture to skin face and neck for thirty minutes, then rinse with warm water to which lemon juice. This mask is good for oily skin;
- Add thick, fatty sour cream and liquid honey to the paste of peeled watermelon rinds. The proportions need to be selected so that the mass is quite thick. The effect of the mask lasts twenty minutes, and then it is removed with warm water. It is great for both dry and normal skin types.
In folk medicine, there are a huge number of recipes using both fresh and dried watermelon rinds. Juice, decoction and infusion are made from them.
Juice from watermelon rinds
Juice from watermelon rinds is used to relieve swelling and inflammation genitourinary system, and also drink while losing weight. It will be useful for migraines, colds, depression and chronic fatigue. To prepare it, the purified raw materials must be crushed using a fine grater and squeezed. You can also use a juicer. Drink half a glass an hour before meals.
Healing decoction
To prepare the decoction you need one hundred grams of powder from dried peels pour half a liter of boiling water, let it brew for about thirty minutes under a warm towel. After this, filter the composition and drink one hundred milliliters up to five times a day before meals for problems with kidneys, cardiovascular diseases, and rheumatism.
Infusion of watermelon rinds
The decoction is prepared at the rate of: one hundred grams of raw watermelon rinds or two tablespoons of dry powder. The raw materials need to be poured with half a liter of boiling water and allowed to stand in a water bath for twenty minutes. Then remove the broth from the heat, leave for thirty minutes, and then strain. Drink half a glass three times a day before meals. This composition will help relieve stomach pain, will help in the treatment of liver diseases, inflammation of the gallbladder and urinary tract, and is also recommended for obesity.
How and why to dry watermelon rinds
At the same time, in decoctions and infusions they combine well with some medicinal herbs, for example, with calendula, calamus root and yarrow.
The collected watermelon rinds should be cleared of pulp and green peel. Then they need to be cut into thin slices and placed on a baking sheet in an oven or a special dryer, the temperature of which should be fifty degrees. After all the moisture has been removed from the pieces, they become dry and brittle; they need to be cooled and packaged in glass jars or paper bags.
You can also dry watermelon rinds by choosing a well-ventilated room for them (veranda, balcony) and covering them from direct sunlight. Dried crusts should be stored in a dark and dry place; you can first grind them into powder using a coffee grinder.
Watermelon rind jam: recipe (video)
Watermelon rinds have a large amount medicinal properties. And when proper preparation, use and taking into account all contraindications cannot cause any harm to the body, and healing effect from treatment with them will be significantly noticeable if you regularly take formulations of them for a month.
One of the most beloved gifts of summer are watermelons. Everyone loves them, both adults and children, because such berries are especially attractive taste qualities. It perfectly quenches thirst and contains a minimum of calories. Among other things, watermelon has a mass medicinal properties. At the same time, a variety of parts of this berry can benefit the body. Thus, in folk medicine, watermelon rinds, seeds, and the juice of such fruits are actively used, the benefits and harms of which will be our topic today. Let's try to understand their useful qualities in a little more detail.
Watermelon rind
When consuming watermelons for food, we usually use only their pulp, and the rinds mercilessly go into the trash. And it’s completely in vain, because they contain a lot of useful elements and can help in the treatment of a variety of pathological conditions. So, watermelon rinds are, first of all, an excellent diuretic with quite intense action. They help cope with increased swelling of various etiologies. So experts advise consuming them for edema that has developed against the background various ailments kidneys or heart. In addition, they will also be useful in case of violations water-salt balance. This product can benefit patients with obesity, as well as gout, and cope with hypertension. Many traditional medicine specialists advise using them to restore the body after serious illnesses. In certain cases, watermelon rinds correct frequent urination, and also help cure kidney or liver stones and dropsy. Their consumption helps to avoid swelling of the legs, cure diseases of the liver and gall bladder, because the crusts also have choleretic properties. Products based on them cope with inflammatory lesions digestive tract, and also correct constipation, because the peel is a source of a significant amount of fiber, which enhances peristalsis. Consumption of medicines from watermelon rinds is a good way to remove excess salts from the body, cleanse the body and stimulate weight loss processes.
Among other things, such a product can be used to prepare baths for osteochondrosis. When used externally, it also treats skin ailments, cuts and burns, eliminates pigmentation and mastopathy.
It is worth considering that consuming products based on watermelon rinds can cause allergies; in addition, systematic treatment with their use can cause hypokalemia.
Watermelon seeds
This part of the watermelon is also ignored by many lovers of this berry. However, the seeds have a lot of useful qualities; in general, they help cope with the same ailments as the whole watermelon. So this product contains biologically active elements that perfectly increase the alkalinity of urine. Thanks to this, all harmful particles that accumulate in our kidneys are successfully dissolved and removed. In addition, watermelon seeds have a good diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect, so they can be used as additional means in the treatment of infectious lesions of the genitourinary system.
Also, such seeds are a good source of pectin, which effectively cleanses the body of pesticides, heavy metals, and neutralizes negative impact radiation. It is believed that consuming foods containing pectin helps normalize cholesterol levels in the blood, prevent the development of damage to the pancreas, liver and digestive tract, and also prevent the development of diabetes and obesity.
The oil obtained from watermelon seeds is also highly beneficial; it is similar in properties to almond oil.
Consumption of watermelon seeds can cause allergies; in addition, this product is contraindicated for people diagnosed with citrullinemia.
Watermelon juice
This product contains everything useful qualities watermelon, and will benefit both adults and children. It is a source of a number of useful elements and can help in the treatment of a variety of ailments. So, such a drink copes well with atherosclerosis and helps patients with arthritis and gout. Systematic consumption of watermelon juice will be especially useful for diabetics, as well as for those who have experienced cystitis or prostatitis. In addition, it will be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of various ailments of the kidneys, liver and genitourinary system. This drink perfectly cleanses the body of cholesterol, waste and toxins, and also helps remove kidney stones.
Watermelon juice has a pretty good effect on the condition of the walls of blood vessels, strengthening them and adding elasticity to them; it also optimizes blood pressure and normalizes the rhythm of the heart muscles in patients who have suffered strokes and heart attacks. Its consumption helps strengthen the immune system and saturate the body with the most different vitamins.
Freshly squeezed watermelon juice is great for optimizing metabolic processes, as well as normalizing water-salt balance. It helps prevent depression, increase resistance to stress, inhibit the growth of malignant formations, and also cure anemia.
It is worth considering that watermelon juice should not be consumed if you have pancreatitis or diabetes. In addition, it can be harmful if you have adhesions in the intestines, particularly large kidney stones, or if you suffer from urinary incontinence.
Watermelon is a melon family crop Pumpkin. It can be oval or spherical in shape with red, crimson, less often yellow or pink flesh. It has choleretic, antisclerotic and some other health benefits.
Its homeland is Africa. Wild varieties are still found in the desert regions of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.
In ancient times, it was a valuable source of moisture for the local population and nomads. Later, tribes living in the Nile Valley learned about sweet varieties. From there it began to spread to the Mediterranean coast of Africa and further to Europe, Central Asia, India and China.
In Russia, watermelons first appeared on the banks of the Volga thanks to supplies along the Great Silk Road. For a long time cultivation was limited to areas near Astrakhan and Kuban due to the cold climate. Now the crop is successfully grown in many regions: in farms and on personal plots.
Watermelon is rich in vitamins, macro- and microelements (sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and a small percentage of iron).
The antioxidant lycopene gives watermelon pulp its red color. Based on it, drugs are being developed for treatment and prevention. oncological diseases digestive organs.
Other sources of this valuable phytonutrient: red grapefruits and guavas.
With an overdose of lycopene, allergic rashes and itching are observed. Fortunately, the content of this substance in the melon crop is small, which brings the likelihood of an allergy to watermelon to zero.
100 g of watermelon pulp contains 25–27 kcal.
Properties beneficial to the body
- Possesses diuretic effect. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, cleanses the kidneys and urinary tract without washing it out of the body useful microelements. Used for swelling to remove excess fluid. And with cystitis it helps quick cleansing kidneys and bladder.
- Perfectly quenches thirst, since it consists of 90% water.
- Suitable as sweet substitute for diabetics and in moderate amount does not affect blood sugar levels.
- The fruit contains fiber (approximately 0.4 g per 100 g). It speeds up intestinal function and metabolic processes, so it will be useful for people with chronic constipation . Together with the accumulated food processing products, the body will be cleansed of waste and toxins.
- Thanks to choleretic function large portions (up to 3–5 kg of pulp per day) are recommended for Botkin’s disease, cholecystitis, cirrhosis, and poisoning.
- Folic acid stimulates cerebral circulation, helps improve memory. At regular use cholesterol in the blood decreases, the risk of vascular diseases and stroke decreases.
- Watermelon Antioxidants slow down cell aging, improve the condition of the skin, hair, nails. It’s not for nothing that watermelon is called the “berry of youth.”
Harm and contraindications
Modern technologies for growing watermelons negatively affect their quality. For rapid growth and a rich harvest, chemical fertilizers are used.
In people with a weak gastrointestinal tract, nitrates can cause vomiting, intestinal upset, fever, and weakness. This is especially dangerous for children and the elderly.
Contraindications:
- chronic diseases of the digestive system;
- urolithiasis (the diuretic effect can cause the movement of stones);
- diarrhea;
- late stages of pregnancy.
Watermelon diet
Watermelon, due to its relatively low calorie content, is popular among diets for quick weight loss.
They are considered the most gentle fasting days . This is usually one day a week when the diet is limited to watermelon, green tea and water.
Exist diets lasting 3, 5, 7, 10 days. Some menus allow diluting the diet with black bread, rice, and coffee without sugar. Such food can hardly be called nourishing and varied, so few people survive more than 5 days.
It is necessary to take into account: in the first 2-3 days the weight will go away due to fluid loss.
In general, the diet allows you to lose up to 7 kg. But the lost pounds can come back as easily as they went.
For long-term weight loss, fasting days are more suitable: less stress for the body, and cleansing of toxins is ensured.
For the health of pregnant women and children
Laxative, diuretic and choleretic decoctions and infusions are made from watermelon peels for:
- treatment of diseases of the kidneys, liver, gall bladder;
- dissolving kidney stones;
- relieving swelling;
- removing salts from the body;
- getting rid of constipation.
The peel does not need to be boiled. Can be dried and candied or ground into powder to add to food. The raw materials are dried in the sun, in a special dryer or oven.
- Kidney cleansing powder is prepared from the dehydrated top layer of the rind. You need to consume it 3 times a day, 1 tsp, with water.
- At gallbladder diseases A tincture is suitable: pour 100–200 g of dried peels into 1 liter of boiling water and leave for about an hour. Drink one glass at a time throughout the day.
- For obesity 2 tsp. grated fresh pulp, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour. Take 3 times a day.
- Used for external use for headaches - applied fresh to the temples, for joint pain applied to areas of inflammation.
- I'll grind it white part peels are used for sunburn and as face masks.
Crust jam
For classic recipe you will need:
- 1 kg of sugar and crusts;
- about 600 ml of water;
- lemon and orange;
- , vanillin, cinnamon to taste.
Cooking method:
- Remove the green part, leaving only the white strip under the crust.
- Cut into arbitrary pieces.
- Boil water, add sugar, add lemon and orange juice.
- Cook until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Pour the resulting syrup over the crusts and put on fire.
- After boiling, keep on fire for about 10 minutes.
- Cool, cook for 10 minutes and cool again.
- Repeat until the jam reaches the desired consistency.
- Pour into sterile jars and seal.
Why are they dangerous?
The rinds of watermelon grown outside of the natural ripening season can be harmful to health. Therefore, it is advisable to buy berries both for food and for treatment from mid-August.
Specimens with excess nitrates, which accumulate just closer to the peel, are unsuitable.
Infusions and gruels must be prepared fresh every day, since storage in the refrigerator is unacceptable!
Selection and storage
- The tail of a ripe watermelon is dry.
- Smooth, glossy pulp of an unnaturally bright red color is a sign of nitrates. Dip a piece into the water: if it turns red, there are nitrates.
- If the watermelon was ripe naturally there will be a stain on the garden bed where the fruit touches the ground. A good ripe “bellied” one has a yellow spot.
The real level of nitrates can only be shown laboratory test. Therefore, a conscientious seller must have a conclusion that his products have been analyzed and are safe for health.
The best varieties to try
- “Astrakhansky” is the most common variety in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. During the season, it accounts for up to 80% of the products of markets and shops.
- “Photon” is small in size, oblong, with tender flesh. Average weight - 3–5 kg.
- “Ogonyok” is small (up to 3 kg) with bright red flesh and dark, stripe-free skin.
- "Gift of the Sun"- a find for a true gourmet. It is distinguished by its yellow color with pronounced stripes.
- "Lunar" - small fruits with yellow flesh.
- "Charleston Gray"- elongated large fruits light green color without stripes or spots.
In the USA, so-called seedless watermelons are common, which, in fact, are sterile hybrids. How healthy such berries are is a big question.
On August 1, watermelon stands will open in Moscow. ABOUT beneficial properties Perhaps everyone can tell about this plant. However, as it turned out, not only the watermelon fruit itself is useful.
Watermelon is the head of everything
Watermelon also contains a lot of fiber, which is why it removes cholesterol from the body, which is the main culprit of atherosclerosis. Watermelon helps remove stagnant bile, which improves complexion and gastrointestinal function. The striped giant is able to expel sand from the kidneys - when consumed for 4-5 days, approximately 2 kg of watermelon on an empty stomach daily, preferably in two doses.
To the delight of all those with a sweet tooth who are forced to limit themselves in consuming their favorite foods, watermelon contains easily digestible types of sugar and is not contraindicated even for patients with diabetes. For people on a diet, watermelon is an ideal treat, because a kilogram of watermelon pulp contains only 500 calories, writes ulady.ru.
In the fight for slim figure watermelon is your good helper. Most often, watermelon fasting days are arranged for weight loss, when during the day they eat only watermelons - 1.5-2 kg of pulp in five meals - and nothing more. It is better to arrange such fasting days no more than twice a week. It is also recommended to eat watermelon with black bread on fasting days. In the absence of contraindications, you can also do a “watermelon fast,” when you eat nothing except watermelons and black bread for 3-4 days.
Healthy "leftovers"
Jam made from watermelon rinds is also quite popular. Products: watermelon rinds, citric acid (3 g per 1 kg of rinds), vanillin - 1 g; syrup: 1.9 kg sugar per 1 liter of water. The peeled, cut rinds should be left for 5 minutes. V hot water with citric acid, then cold. Next, the crusts are poured with syrup and boiled until they lighten. Then you need to let them settle and boil. Leave for 6-8 hours and boil again, adding citric acid, and let it brew again. Then cook the jam until tender, add vanillin.
Watermelon can also be pickled. For this you will need: brine: salt, water (2 tablespoons per 1 liter); 1 kg of watermelon per 1 liter of brine. Washed watermelons must be placed in containers, having previously been pricked in several places, filled with brine and left for 30-40 days in a cool place. The brine should be kept at room temperature for 1-2 days.
To make lemonade from watermelon, you will need the following ingredients: 2 cups of orange juice, 1 liter of sparkling water, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar. Next, you need to cut off the top of the watermelon, chop the pulp, pour the juice into the watermelon, add sugar and lemon zest to taste and put the watermelon in the refrigerator for half an hour. Afterwards, pour the lemonade and pulp into glasses, add soda and serve.
And finally, a recipe for a watermelon and mango cocktail. Ingredients: 500 g watermelon, 1 mango, 750 ml orange juice, ice. Cut the seedless watermelon and mango pulp into cubes and leave in the freezer for 2 hours. Then beat the fruits in a blender (or mixer) with orange juice. Pour the drink into a jug, add ice and serve.
The material was prepared by the online editors of www.rian.ru based on information from open sources
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