Did you know watermelon rind is incredibly nutritious?
Watermelon rind is edible, rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals and has many health benefits.
While we all love a fresh plate of watermelons with a little red salt sprinkled on top, few people know that the peel is also very good and should not be thrown away. Watermelon rind has many health benefits as it contains vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium. It is also rich in fiber, which helps with many digestive problems. Watermelon rind is also good for your heart and helps control cholesterol.
What is watermelon rind?
Although the best part of the fruit is its juice, which most of us love, the white color of the fruit is also edible. Watermelon rind, which is the outer layer of the watermelon, is also edible. It is green on the outside and white on the inside. Its peel is edible and has many health benefits. Although it can be eaten raw, it may not be the most delicious. But it can be boiled, fried and added to many recipes.
Health benefits of watermelon rind
Here are some of the health benefits of watermelon rind:
1. Rich in fiber
The most important benefit of watermelon is that they contain plenty of fibre. A diet rich in fiber helps keep bowel movements regular and prevents many diseases. It also helps you stay full and lose weight. A study published in the journal Food Science & Biotechnology examined the benefits of high-fiber pasta cooked with watermelon rind powder. It appears that the total dietary fiber of the fruit peel flour sample is higher than that of durum wheat pasta. Research also shows that the fruit is rich in fiber as well as protein and minerals.
2. Contains vitamins and minerals
Watermelon rind is a healthy source of many vitamins and minerals. According to research published in the Trends in Food Science and Technology journal, watermelon rind contain potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron, which are essential for nutrition. According to another study published in the Journal of Biological Systems, the fruit peel powder obtained from the light green color of the peel has the highest protein content (19.74%), while the most fiber (13.35%) is obtained from the dark color of the watermelon rind.
3. Help with high blood pressure
Watermelon peel may help lower blood pressure. A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension shows that watermelon rind may help lower blood pressure in obese patients. It is also considered a diuretic, a drug that increases the amount of water in the body. This also helps control blood pressure.
4. Provide motivation for exercise
Consuming watermelon rind may help you exercise better. This study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, says it contains citrulline, which can help provide adequate oxygen to your muscles and improve your body’s performance.
5. Helps improve sexual performance
Watermelon rind contains an amino acid called citrulline. This study, published in the Journal of Urology, shows that it will help improve erections without using Viagra. It also helps improve sperm quality and testosterone levels, according to research published in the journal JBRA Assisted Reproduction.
Watermelon peel side effects
Watermelon rind is healthy, but not much. Eating too much watermelon rind can cause digestive problems, bloating, and gas. Also, since watermelon rind does not contain fruit juice, it will not taste like fruit, but you can add it to the dish to make it more delicious.
How to eat watermelon rind?
While the thought of chewing on green watermelon skin may not be appealing, there are other ways to incorporate watermelon into your diet. You can try marinating the peel and serving it as a side dish. To do this, you need to boil the peeled bark; take a white piece and use a thin layer of red color on it.
Alternatively, you can fry the watermelon. Use the peel like any other vegetable; This will not only add crunch to your meals but also increase their nutritional value.
The juice of the fruit peel can also be squeezed with other fruits. These can be added to smoothies.