WATERMELON-A gift to the kidneys.

Watermelon is a very refreshing fruit. Biting into its sweet smelling pulp and feeling the mouth full of juice is a real hot-weather pleasure. Watermelon, together with other melons, has quenched the thirst of humans for thousands of years. During their desert wanderings, the Isralites longed for the melons and watermelons that they had eaten in the land of the pyramids. Egypt and Mediterranean countries continue being primary producers of the fruit. 

This fruit is usually eaten fresh, however, it is not recommended as dessert since it is somewhat indigestible because of its larger water content. Eating it after a meal dilutes gastric juices and puddles the stomach, disturbing digestion. Its juice is recommended for those with frail stomachs since it does not contain the pulp fiber which may be indigestible.

 

A good slice of watermelon is immensely superior as refreshment to bottled drinks. Children in particular take advantage of the refreshing and mineralizing effect of the watermelon. It has been recently known that watermelons contain some amount of lycopene, the same carotenoid that is plentiful in tomatoes. Lycopene is the substance responsible for the red color in both the tomato and the watermelon. In the body it acts as a powerful antioxidant and as a protective factor against prostate cancer.

The watermelon composition is similar to that of other melons, although it contains less vitamin C, folates, iron and potassium and somewhat more beta-carotene (provitamin A), Vitamin B1, and vitaminB6.

Its properties are very similar to those of other melons: hydrating, alkalizing (increasing solubility of acidic salts), diuretic and laxative. Watermelon may be even more diuretic than other melons. Watermelon is advised for disorders involving the kidneys and the urinary tract.

Diabetics tolerate watermelon well because of its low sugar content. Since it produces an immediate sensation of satiety, it is beneficial in weight loss treatments.