July 24, 2019 · Written by Foodtolive Team
10 Reasons to Love Watermelon & Watermelon Lemonade Recipe
There’s nothing like a juicy watermelon on a hot summer day. However, there’s so much more to this fruit than meets the eye. In this article, we’ll give you ten more reasons to enjoy watermelon all the time, as well as a refreshing recipe to savor this wonderful fruit.
1. Stay Hydrated the Natural Way
Watermelon is 90% water, so eating it will help keep your body hydrated, especially on hot summer days. Watermelon also has electrolytes, which are minerals that help your body retain water.
2. It’s Packed with Important Vitamins
Watermelon is high in vitamins A and C as well as phytonutrients, which are chemical compounds that help prevent disease and keep your body functioning correctly.
The antioxidants inside this delicious fruit help your body fight off free radicals, which cause aging and other degenerative processes. Not only that, but the nutrients in watermelon can help decrease inflammation within your body as well.
3. Watermelon Protects your Heart
Watermelon’s signature red color comes from lycopene, an antioxidant that targets free radicals and protects your cardiovascular system. The riper the melon, the more lycopene it will have.
Watermelon also has a lot of potassium, another mineral that can do a lot for a healthy heart. Watermelon seeds are full of good things your body needs, such as protein, magnesium, vitamin B, and healthy fats that lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
4. Easy and Fun Picnic Snack
Not sure what to bring to the next family BBQ or picnic? Watermelons are easy to transport since it acts as its own container!
For something a little more creative than simple slices, look into watermelon taps. With a little preparation, these taps can turn your watermelon into a working pitcher.
Try making a watermelon cocktail, or read on to see our refreshing watermelon lemonade recipe that everyone can enjoy.
5. It’s a Versatile Ingredient
Although it’s easy to enjoy watermelon with simple slices, there are so many ways it can be turned into a variety of healthy snacks. Try freezing cubes of watermelon for ice cubes that won’t water down your drinks, or sticking a craft stick in them for a naturally sweet popsicle on hot days. Make a fruit kebab with other summer fruits like strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
Sprinkle a little bit of salt on fresh watermelon for a fun twist, or try it with mint and feta for a light and refreshing salad.
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6. Watermelon Seeds Are a Great Source of Protein
Once you’re finished eating your watermelon, don’t throw away the seeds. Once you sprout, shell and dry the seeds, they become protein-packed snacks. A one ounce serving of watermelon seeds can have as much as 10 grams of protein. Add a little salt or sugar to make it a savory treat.
7. Watermelon is Inexpensive
The versatility of watermelon is only matched by how affordable it is. For a couple of dollars, you can create a myriad of snacks or even drinks that everyone will enjoy. Plus, it is available nearly all year-round, so you never have to go without this delicious fruit.
8. Alleviate Sore Muscles
Watermelon contains an amino acid called citrulline, which helps reduce muscle pain and heart rate recovery after working out. Drinking watermelon juice is the most effective way for your body to absorb citrulline and experience these benefits.
9. Makes Your Skin Glow and Your Hair Strong
The high levels of vitamins A and C in watermelon can help protect your skin and hair and boost their overall health. Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, which is a protein that helps your skin and hair healthy. Vitamin A repairs and makes skin cells. A lack of vitamin A causes your skin to look dry or itchy.
10. It’s a Guilt-Free and Filling Snack
Since watermelon has such a high water content, you’ll feel full without consuming that many calories or sugar, which makes it the perfect food to snack on throughout the day.
Watermelon Lemonade Recipe
A glass of homemade watermelon lemonade is one more reason to love this tasty, healthy fruit. This recipe is simple and takes next to no time so you can get to enjoying your watermelon faster.
Ingredients:
- 10 large lemons
- 6 cups of water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 cups chopped watermelon
- 1 cup of water
- 2 cups Ice
Instructions:
- Squeeze juice from lemons until you have 2 cups. Set the remaining lemons aside.
- Bring 6 cups water, sugar, and kosher salt to a boil. Stir mixture occasionally.
- Remove from heat; add juice from remaining lemons you set aside earlier.
- Cool, then strain into a large pitcher.
- Mix watermelon and 1 cup water in a blender until smooth; strain into a pitcher.
- Stir in juice and serve with ice.
