Watermelon, Modest Magic

“A true southern watermelon is a boon apart, not to be mentioned with commoner things” - Mark Twain

There is something known as watermelon magic.

Simply practical, watermelon satiates

…while your face and hands get a’washin.  Even the seeds are integral to the experience.  A wise man once said A seedless watermelon is highly suspect, I won’t touch it.  Life is sweet and juicy; but there will always be obstacles. Eat the seeds or spit them out -  it’s up to you!

Not only a nutritional powerhouse, studies show that watermelon lowers blood pressure and acts as a nitric oxide precursor because of its high l-citrulline amino acid content (1), keeping our blood nicely flowing and viscous.  As a functional food , watermelon can effectively reduce the appetite and aid in the weight management in comparison to conventional refined carbohydrate snacks (2). The brighter the color of the flesh signals higher lycopene content and phytochemical antioxidants with several nutraceutical benefits (3). You really cannot lose; even the ice cream man wishes he was the watermelon man.

The following recipe does not contain the fiber but it’s a great way to cool off, have energy and maintain digestion.

Watermelon Juice

1 small watermelon (locally grown Black Diamond used in this recipe)

2 limes

1 tbsp Redmonds salt

Quarter your melon and scrape the red meat, cut into cubes and remove as many seeds as possible (don’t worry you’ll strain it at the end).  Working in 4 batches, add watermelon, lime juice from 1/2 of lime, 1/4 tsp of salt to a blender and blend until smooth. Add maple syrup if you desire a sweeter taste, but why gild the lily?  Strain into a large glass jar and store in the fridge…if there’s any left over.

My preferred method of food preparation is a pinch of this, a dash of that -so make adjustments where necessary.

• Watermelon contains vitamins A, B6, C, as well as Potassium, Magnesium and Phosphorus.

• Redmond real salt adds electrolytes and compliments the sweet flavor

• lime is slightly sour yet cooling energetically

• Watermelons energetic property is cooling, , with sweet & unctuous qualities; soothing and coating to the internal channels.

*In cases of blood sugar imbalance, always err on the side of caution and follow the advice of your healthcare professional before enjoying watermelon as your midsummer snack.

The information in this article is meant for educational purposes only.  It is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.  Consult with your physician before adding any supplement to your daily routine.

References

1 Wada M. Uber Citrullin, eine neue Aminosaure im PreBsaft der Wassermelone, Citrullus vulgaris schrad. Biochemische Zeitschrift. 1930;224:420–429.

2  Machiels K., Joossens M., Sabino J., De Preter V., Arijs I., Ballet V., Claes K., Verhaegen J., Van Assche G., Rutgeerts P.J., et al. 187 Bacterial Dysbiosis in Ulcerative Colitis Patients Differs From Crohn’s Disease Patients. Gastroenterology. 2012;142:S-46. doi: 10.1016/S0016-5085(12)60176-0.

3. Manivannan A., Lee ES., Han K., Kim DS., Versatile Nutraceutical Potentials of Watermelon - A Modest Fruit Loaded with Pharmaceutically Valuable Phytochemicals.  Molecules.  2020; 25(22):5258. doi: 10.3390/molecules25225258