The observation concerning the consumption of fruit and vegetables is particularly negative. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 1.7 million lives could be saved each year with sufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables at the global level. Indeed, these foods help prevent various conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.
It is therefore essential from the point of view of health and well-being to eat more fruits and vegetables to enjoy their benefits. In addition, some fruits such as watermelon enjoy virtues both in the flesh and in the rind. So avoid food waste by discovering the incredible virtues of watermelon rind!
The incredible virtues of watermelon rind
Indeed, the rind of the watermelon, and more specifically the white part, contains elements beneficial to the body, including:
- The citrulline
Citrulline is an amino acid that maintains muscle functioning rapidly since it has a high bioavailability, that is, 80% of the ingested amount is rapidly found in the blood. The latter allows to increase muscle mass with little effort. In addition, citrulline promotes the fight against water retention and improves weight loss thanks to its diuretic effect and its high fiber content.
- Lycopene
The bark of the watermelon is rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that helps fight the onset of prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease. But it is also an ally against the appearance of free radicals, at the origin of cutaneous aging. Lycopene also promotes the protection of the rind cells against ultraviolet rays and therefore sunburn.
Vitamins and minerals
The rind of the watermelon contains a lot of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, C and B6 as well as magnesium and potassium. These are essential for the growth and good development of the body because they primarily stimulate the body's defenses and strengthen the immune system.
However, the rind of watermelon can be difficult to consume given its bitterness and slightly bland taste.
Marinated watermelon rind recipe
Ingredients:
White part of watermelon rind
- 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 half teaspoon of ginger powder
Preparation:
First, be sure to remove the thin green film from the rind of the watermelon causing the bitter taste and retain only the white part. Cut the white part into sticks and marinade in raspberry vinegar, honey and ginger for one to two hours.
You can use these watermelon rind sticks as condiments to accompany your dishes made with white meat as well as in pieces in salads made with tuna or turkey white. It is also a recipe to consume as aperitif sticks to replace industrialized products, rich in chemicals and harmful to the body.