A woman’s faithful friend is watermelon: how is it good for the body?
Watermelon season begins in August. It is difficult to deny yourself the aromatic, soft, sweet and pinkish pulp of watermelon. Moreover, the berry is very useful: it is a dietary product, quickly satisfies the feeling of hunger, contains microelements and vitamins, does not harm even pregnant women, and helps cope with diseases.
About what watermelon is good for the body women and what its other characteristic properties are, you will find out in the article.
Composition and calorie content of watermelon
Calorie content of watermelon – only 27 kcal. The content of 100 g of proteins is 0.6 g, fats - 0.1 g, carbohydrates - 5.8 g. The low calorie content is explained by the fact that watermelon contains 92.6% water. Dietary fiber - 0.4 g, mono- and disaccharides - 5.8 g. At the same time, 0% starch and cholesterol.
More information about vitamin composition see table.
| Vitamins, micro- and macroelements | Content in watermelon per 100 g of product |
| Vitamin C | 7 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin E | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin PP (niacin) | 0.3 mg |
| Vitamin B9 (folic acid) | 8 mcg |
| Vitamin A | 17 mcg |
| Iron | 1 mg |
| Potassium | 110 mg |
| Calcium | 14 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg |
| Sodium | 16 mg |
| Phosphorus | 7 mg |
Watermelon is one of the seven leaders among other products in terms of the content of the natural antioxidant - lycopene: 4532 mcg per 100. It protects cells from premature aging and cancer.
What can you eat?
Watermelon is an amazing berry, each part of which has unique properties.Not only consumed as food sweet pulp, but also seeds, the white part of the crust.
Pulp
The most delicious part of watermelon. It is recommended to eat the pulp, leaving 0.5-1 cm from the peel. It is in the peel that harmful substances accumulate and fall on it during transportation.
The pulp is used to prepare salads, soup, compote, juices, lemonades and cocktails. It is frozen to make liqueur, salted for the winter and make fruit sandwiches.
Juice
Watermelon juice contains the amino acid citrulline. Once in the body, it is converted into arginine, which is needed to supply the body’s muscles with oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, watermelon juice will add strength during physical education classes or if you have to spend the whole day on your feet.
Watermelon juice is prepared from ripe, juicy berries. Wash, cut into pieces, peel off the crust. The pulp is cut into small pieces and passed through a juicer. The resulting juice will be sweet, so no sugar is added to it.
Seeds
Watermelon seeds eaten in the following ways:
- Raw - the most common way to use it.
- Fried. First, the bones are dried on the windowsill, then fried in a dry frying pan. As soon as they begin to crack, pour in ¼ cup of salted water and fry until the liquid evaporates.
- Ground into flour. It is added to sauces, salads, soups and energy shakes in sports nutrition.
- Dried – sold in stores, slightly flattened and already peeled. At home, watermelon seeds are dried in the sun. They are stored in a dry place. This simple and safe method preserves the nutrients of the seeds until winter.
Peel
Use the hard white part of the pulp next to the skin. The striped skin is removed. Prepared from the white part of the rind jam and candied fruits.
Beneficial properties of watermelon for a woman’s body
You cannot eat watermelons alone to get a vitamin boost. But during the season, it is recommended to include this berry in the diet.
Normalization of digestion
Folic and pantothenic acids contained in watermelon improve metabolic processes and stimulate digestion. The intestinal microflora is restored, and beneficial microorganisms multiply more actively.
Fiber in watermelon cleanses the intestines, If you eat watermelon, your stool will be regular.
Scientists have proven the oncoprotective properties of watermelon fiber. People whose diet is rich in it are less susceptible to colorectal cancer, cancer of the stomach, intestines and other organs of the digestive system.
In case of inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, watermelon pectin substances adsorb and remove harmful substances, protect the intestinal mucosa and promote its healing due to its bactericidal effect.
Reducing caloric intake
Watermelon does not recover due to the watery composition of its pulp. The quantitative composition of vitamins, minerals and trace elements is small, but they are all balanced and easily absorbed.
Attention! Dishes made from watermelon contain more calories than regular pulp due to the addition of third-party ingredients. Take this into account when planning your diet.
Cleanses the body
With water, of which watermelon is almost entirely composed, toxins and waste are removed from the intestines and from the entire body.
The body is quickly saturated with watermelon. It also quickly leaves the stomach, exhibiting a laxative effect, so consumption of the berry is recommended for constipation.
Normalizes blood pressure
This is helped by citrulline, which is converted into arginine in the body.The second has vasodilating properties and lowers blood pressure.
Important! Hypotonic patients and women on critical days are advised to eat no more than 2-3 slices of watermelon per day, so as not to lower blood pressure even more and not provoke increased menstruation.
Has a diuretic effect
Watermelon is a diuretic, a diuretic. It accelerates the removal of fluid from the body, reduces its content in tissues, washing away salts and excess uric acid.
The diuretic properties of the berry are due to the fact that a large amount of water and alkaline compounds are concentrated in the pulp. Potassium, oxalate, urate salts of urine, interacting with alkali, dissolve, sand and stones do not form in the genitourinary system.
Improves metabolism and condition of skin and hair
This happens due to three components:
- folic acid, which is involved in the creation of new cells and maintains them in a healthy state;
- magnesium, which is responsible for metabolism, nervous system function, healthy bones and teeth, maintains skin tone, prevents stretch marks, maintains healthy hair and nails;
- lycopene – an antioxidant that protects skin cells from ultraviolet radiation and regulates pigmentation.
To make a face mask for skin that has lost elasticity, mix 2 tbsp. l. watermelon juice with 1 tbsp. l. wheat flour. Apply to the face and neck for 15 minutes once a week.
Prevention of cardiovascular diseases
Fiber removes harmful cholesterol from the body, normalizes blood pressure, and reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Vitamin PP, contained in watermelons, strengthens blood vessels, increases the elasticity of their walls, and cleanses arteries and blood vessels from plaques. The daily dose of this vitamin is 50 mg. It is contained in 150 g of watermelon.
Other
Watermelon is essential for normal liver function: it has a choleretic effect, and glucose and fructose nourish tissues.
The berry calms the nervous system and improves mood due to glucose, which helps produce serotonin - the hormone of happiness.
It also increases hemoglobin due to the content of iron salts, and is recommended for anemia.
The benefits of watermelon for pregnant and lactating women
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are important stages in the life of a woman and baby. The beneficial properties of watermelon support women's health during these periods. More details about them are in the table.
| Watermelon Ingredients | Benefits for pregnant and lactating women |
| Mono- and disaccharides | Replace high-carbohydrate fruits, sweets and cakes. Pregnant women sometimes crave sweets! Watermelon is very sweet, it is eaten in its pure form so that the glucose is absorbed in full and does not cause an increase in blood sugar. |
| Cellulose | Has a mild laxative effect. Relieves constipation in the first and last trimesters of pregnancy and in the first months after childbirth.
|
| Vitamin C, ascorbic acid | Strengthens the immune system, relieves drowsiness, lethargy and depressed mood. Ascorbic acid helps form the fetal skeleton, as it improves the absorption of calcium and retains it in the woman’s body. |
| Vitamin B6 | Responsible for metabolism and removes excess fluid from the body. Weight remains normal, swelling subsides, and toxins are eliminated. |
| Folic acid, or vitamin B9 | Participates in the formation of the fetal brain and spinal cord. |
| Riboflavin and thiamine | They are responsible for strengthening the mother’s nervous system and improving the transmission of nerve impulses in the developing fetus. |
| Magnesium and calcium | Supports the cardiovascular system of a pregnant woman.They strengthen the heart and eliminate tachycardia, which often occurs in the third trimester. |
| Magnesium | Relieves uterine hypertonicity, preserves the strength of teeth and bones, and participates in the formation of the fetal skeletal system. |
| Potassium | Maintains water-salt balance in the body and removes excess water. This relieves stress on the internal organs and helps cope with swelling. |
| Iron | Maintains normal hemoglobin, helps get rid of weakness, nausea, dizziness. Provides the fetus with sufficient portions of oxygen.
Watermelon provides enough iron when feeding a child, which helps prevent iron deficiency anemia. |
One piece of watermelon eliminates attacks of nausea due to toxicosis due to its juiciness and pleasant taste.
What problems does it help to cope with?
Watermelon is used according to folk recipes as a diuretic, anthelmintic and laxative:
- Remove excess fluid from the body and get rid of swelling A decoction of watermelon rinds will help. Pour 90 g of crusts into 0.5 liters of boiling water, boil for 10 minutes and leave until completely cool. Drink 100 ml 4 times a day for a week.
- Get rid of worms A decoction of watermelon seeds will help. Grind 100 g of watermelon seeds, pour 1 liter of boiling water, place in a water bath for 45 minutes. Leave to cool in a cool place, then strain thoroughly.
Take one glass 3 times a day. The course of treatment is two weeks. - Conquer chronic constipation You can if you eat 1 kg of watermelon pulp during the season during the day. The stool returns to normal within 5-6 days. For the same purpose, use finely chopped and dried watermelon rinds, crushed into powder: add 1 tbsp. l. watermelon powder in 1 glass of mint infusion (1 tsp mint per 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes).Take before meals as a snack with plum jam until stool normalizes.
Harm and contraindications
Watermelon can also cause harm to the body. You need to be careful in such cases:
- With a tendency to flatulence. Watermelon causes bloating and increased gas production.
- For kidney problems, stones or sand in them or the bladder, eating the berry causes them to move.
- Until August comes. Early watermelons contain a large amount of nitrates. Diarrhea and vomiting may occur. In pregnant women, the nitrate product causes uterine contractions, which can lead to miscarriages and premature birth.
- When purchasing watermelon halves. It is better not to buy these, as well as cut or damaged berries. Bacteria penetrate into the cuts and actively multiply. You can get diarrhea, abdominal pain and even an intestinal infection.
- When eating watermelon and at the same time dairy and fermented milk products or rye bread. This causes fermentation in the intestines and severe abdominal pain. Watermelon is eaten between meals, 1.5-2 hours after meals.
- Eating watermelon in the evening. You risk causing morning swelling due to the strain on your kidneys and bladder.
- Do not eat the watermelon cut the day before yesterday. The maximum shelf life of berries in the refrigerator is one day.
- When breastfeeding. Introduce watermelon into your diet gradually, eating no more than 100 g at a time. Observe the child’s reaction to the product. For three days, do not add new complementary foods to accurately understand whether your baby is allergic to watermelon or not.
Watermelons are considered a healthy berry, but they are contraindicated if you have:
- pancreatic diseases;
- diabetes;
- obesity;
- urolithiasis disease;
- pyelonephritis;
- nephritis;
- nephrosis;
- spleen diseases;
- increased stomach acidity, acute form of ulcer or gastritis;
- allergy to melons.
Conclusion
The pulp of watermelon is undoubtedly healthy; dishes with the berry are low in calories and therefore suitable for diets. Its components are used to prepare delicious candied fruits and medicinal products. By consuming berries correctly, you will improve the condition of your body, be healthy and beautiful, which is especially important during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Do not forget about contraindications and do not neglect consultations with your doctor once again.