Watermelon: Mostly "Water", or Does it Have "Immunonutrition Benefits?"

by Dr Margaret Aranda


Summer is just around the corner, and we have big watermelons, red watermelons, yellow watermelons, hybrid watermelons, seedless watermelons, little itsy bitsy cutesy watermelons, and inquiring minds want to know: are they just 'water?' 

Does watermelon have value as "Immunonutrition," helping the immune system fight illness, inflammation, and ..... even cancer ? 

Image 1. Variations in Today's Watermelon.  Red, yellow, green, magenta (pictured here), Seedless, or with seeds, hybrids genetically altered, non-GMO, organic ... take your pick after you know and are aware of what you you are doing, you know? Let us be aware, educated, and informed about what we  put into our bodies, and  exactly how it will either help or hurt our bodies.




So let's get the scoop on watermelon. First of all, let's only buy organic , so we do not have the pesticides, those pesky chemicals that have already wrought so much damage on our planet that one circle of life, or bees, are endangered. 

So I think you should have:

(1) an  herb  garden in your kitchen window;
(2) on your back or side porch or patio, you could get the Tower Garden  and grow your own Lettuces, kale, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, etc .;
(3) if you have land, you could ask a local nursery what is appropriati to grow in your area: pumpkins, lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, etc. and .....


Forget the garden pesticides ...  blahhhh !!! 

Facts on the Immunonutrition Value of Watermelons:

*    They are part of the botanical family,  Cucurbitaceae: includes cantalope & honeydew.

*    It is a " nutrient dense " food: it has a higher amount of minerals, vitamins, and anti-oxidants - VS -  it has a low amount of calories;

*    It is hydrating : 92% water, let's Prevent dehydration when it's hot!

*    Decreases obesity and overall mortality , as watermelon is a natural diuretic (eg, like Lasix Rx), expelling more urine than the intake water content (without losing potassium, or K); 

*   Low in calories, it is almost fat-free ,  almost  cholesterol-free ;

*  Richly valuable in the electrolyte K, this helps control blood pressure , and can help Prevent the development of kidney stones ; 

*   It may decrease the onset of osteoporosis ;

*   Prevents constipation;

*   High in Vitamin C and B-carotene , both antioxidants on their own right, watermelons may preventer heart disease (the # 1 killer in the USA ), cancer , and other conditions like metabolic syndrome and diabetes; 

*   One of the carotenes that has been studied in humans, Watermelon is high in lycopene, which has been linked to decrease the risk of Developing a multitude of cancers: breast, colon, lung, prostate , and endometrial;

*  Sleep, muscle movement, memory, and learning:  the choline  concentration in watermelon is crucial to thes of functions, as it is vital to Maintaining cell wall structure to conduct nerve impulses. It also absorbs fat and reduces the chronic inflammation  that leads to metabolic syndrome and diabetes ;

* The amino acid L-citrulline  in watermelon can contribute to reduce recovery time and decrease muscle soreness in athletes (so go for that HIIT);

* Skin needs watermelon-filled Vitamin A , needed for hair and skin, moisturized from sebum production. 

*  Skin  also benefits from watermelon-filled Vitamin C , to both build and maintain the matrix of the skin and hair through collagen  production (so EAT WATERMELON to take away FINE LINES and WRINKLES ). Plus, we already talked about staying hydrated, and that It is wonderful and vital so you do not look like a shriveled-up raisen! Keep hydrated !

Image 2. The Role of Vitamin A on the Brain and Embryonic Development.  The human body does not manufacture vitamin A. The B-carotenes are converted to retinol, than used in neurotransmitters and the cell wall structure of the brain, skin, and hair . T he ​​more colorful and bright your vegetables are, the better!  Vitamin a may also be consumed in animal meat and eggs. (Image Courtesy of  the www4.bordeaux-aquitaine.inra.f )


So, this summer, first make sure that your watermelon is either self-grown without pesticides or organic and certified non-GMO ... than wear your bathing suit and forget about the drips and drops of pink (or magenta) here and there. ... Just slurp it up like a child without a care in the world ... because you are eating something of IMMUNOTRITION  , of VALUE to make you live longer and Healthier ... and it's not EVEN a DIET!  it is a WAY of LIFE! 
Get on Track! 

Just DO IT!

PS No watermelons in season? Pffft. Just look for cantalope or honeydew! More calories, but great in vitamin A, skin and collagen production, removing Removing Removing Removing Removing Removing fine wrinkles, hydrating, etc. 

Still IMMUNONUTRITION 

Should I write another blog on each food? 

No one can eat the equivalent of 30 servings of vitamins, supplements, minerals, and flavonoids in fruits & vegetables per DAY. I use and bought a franchise, now I'm a distributor of www.aranda.JuicePlus.Com 

Medical Full Disclosure: I own a franchise in a company that sells dehydrated fruits and vegetables from organic family farms. No GMO, no preservatives, no artificial colors, protein bars are soy-free, no gluten, no cruelty, vegan, and delivered to your doorstep.

My opinion: 
Parents: each sign up for red, green and purple capsules.
Children: participate in clinical research study and get FREE gummies or capsules. 1 million children studied so far skip school and see doctors LESS than their counterparts who do not take these supplements. 

TO ORDER: 
1. GO TO WEBSITE: www.aranda.JuicePlus.com
2. EMAIL: drmargaretaranda@yahoo.com

Thank You! 
And Here's to Good Nutrition and Good Aging!

References:
1. Dr. Francine. Health Benefits of Watermelon. I Healthful.co. May 2016. http://healthful.com.ng/health-benefit-of-watermelon/

2. Megan Ware, RDN, LD. Watermelon: Health Benefits and Nutritional Information. Medical News Today Sept 2015. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266886.php 

3.  Christian Nordqvist. Inflammation: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.  Medical News Today Sept 2015.  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423.php