Caloric content of watermelon and its unique properties

Watermelon is a favorite berry. It contains many useful substances, fiber and delicious, aromatic juice, which puts it on the top positions of the summer diet. And the calorie content of watermelon is only 35 kcal per 100 grams. At the same time on 80% it consists of pure carbohydrates - easily assimilated fructose. This berry contains a small amount of glucose and sucrose, but these doses are quite acceptable for use by pregnant and lactating women, diabetics and obese people.

It is believed that the watermelon contains few vitamins. Of course, if you eat only watermelons alone, then you can forget about the vitamin balance. But in the pulp of watermelon contains B and B2, pectins, beta-carotene, iron, sodium, calcium and phosphorus. In addition, it is the source of trace elements such as magnesium and potassium.

Potassium is responsible for the regulation of water balance in the human body and contributes to the normalization of cardiovascular activity. Magnesium is needed for the muscular system, including bone and cardiac tissues.

Watermelon contains useful fiber, which cleans the intestinal wall and positively influences the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Watermelon dietary fiber lowers blood cholesterol, which is very important for people suffering from excess weight.

But the main thing is that it is not the calorie content of the watermelon, but its purifying effect. In order to get rid of the toxins and wastes that accumulated over the year in the body, it is enough just once a week to arrange for yourself unloading days for a month. It is worth mentioning that you can not sit more than one day on such a mono-diet, since there is a risk of overloading the kidneys.

Watermelon "diets" are contraindicated for people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, as well as those who have recently undergone cavitary operations, for example, cesarean section or appendectomy.

The unique properties of watermelon make it easy to remove excess salt from the body, remove puffiness in the presence of vascular and heart diseases, relieve fever, improve water-salt metabolism, and even cure the chronic form of gastritis, which is promoted by its low caloric value.

Watermelon should not be confused with other food. You can consume it only on an empty stomach, as it is not digested, but simply passes on, immediately into the intestine. But if you pre-eat, the watermelon will linger in the stomach and cause a fermentation reaction, which is accompanied by the release of gases, that is, meteorism. The only food that can be consumed in small quantities with a watermelon is bread.

Low calorie watermelon allows you to add it to various dietary salads and desserts. From the pulp you can cook delicious juices, cocktails, fresh and even watermelon honey. Moreover, you can eat even a watermelon peel, because it produces a delicious jam.

Traditional medicine uses watermelon for cosmetic purposes to make vitamin facial masks. They perfectly influence the skin, preventing its flabbiness, leveling the color and giving the skin softness and smoothness.

You can use watermelons only during their maturation, while they have the necessary useful properties. This is the period of the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Do not take the very first watermelons, which appear in late July - early August, because they can contain a large number of nitrates. And then the positive effect, which provides low calorie watermelon and a large number of trace elements, can come to naught due to stomach disorders and other troubles.

Choosing watermelons is easy enough. Do not take the smallest, because they are often unripe. The skin of a good watermelon is very hard, so you can not pierce it with your nails. Many advise to take and squeeze the watermelon in the hands, they say, if the ripe - crash, but in fact it's better to knock neatly on the watermelon. A ringing "answer" will tell you which watermelon is better.

Do not cut the watermelon right at the point of sale, as the germs from the peel fall on the pulp. Better at home cut a piece of pulp and lightly mash it in your fingers, then dip it into a glass of water. If it gets dark - watermelon can be eaten, but if it is painted - it's better to abstain from such a dainty.