Fresh and thirst-quenching, the watermelon it is one of the few seasonal fruits that still has a precise seasonality: you can only find it in summer.
Very rich in water and low in sodium, it has a high diuretic power. But be careful. "If you suffer from cystitis you must avoid it because, being very sugary, it favors the development of microorganisms that cause inflammation of the urinary tract", explains the doctor Anna D'Eugenio, nutritionist in Rome.
Watermelon, ok for hormones
The deflating power of watermelon can be used to reduce minor ailments related to sex hormones. “Immediately after your period ends, bring it to the table associating it with red meat (needed to recover the iron lost with the flow). Watermelon is indeed excellent for reducing kidney fatigue caused by proteins»Advises our expert who has been using food as a therapeutic tool for years.
“In the second part of the cycle, the one following ovulation, consume it instead together with the fish. Sea bream & Co. act on the thyroid by speeding up all the body's activities, including the elimination of excess fluids stimulated by watermelon ».
The recommended "dose" is 300 g per day, preferably at lunch, to avoid having to get up at night to pee.
Beware of do not eat it together with pasta (it raises blood sugar too much), with cheese (slows digestion) or with eggs (promotes reflux).
Watermelon is not recommended for those with diabetes (because its sugars are absorbed very quickly) and to those with gallbladder stones (it can cause heaviness).
Watermelon, for your defenses
Watermelon isn't just diuretic. It also has a good one antioxidant action. Contains vitamin C, anthocyanins (pigments that protect the plant from ultraviolet rays) and lycopene (a carotenoid with a recognized antitumor action). Together, these substances counteract the aggression of free radicals, responsible for the aging of cells, and strengthen the immune system making you more resistant to diseases.
Watermelon like viagra
In watermelon there is also citrulline (its scientific name is Citrullus lanatus). This amino acid, which our body transforms into arginine, a substance with a vasodilatory action, is used for treatment of erection disorders. A University of Texas study even compared watermelon to Viagra.
"Leaving aside these exaggerations, we can however say that thanks to citrulline and vitamin PP, which tones the walls of blood vessels, this fruit is useful for improve blood circulation»Says our expert. "Not only. By stimulating diuresis it allows to lower the pressure. Last advantage: it reduces lymphatic stasis and can be put on the menu for reduce cellulite».
How to tell if watermelon is ripe
Will it be ripe at the right point? To find out, follow Coldiretti's advice. Clap a hand on the peel: the deeper the noise, the more okay the watermelon is. Don't digest it? It depends on its richness in water and sugars, which dilutes the gastric juices and slows down the emptying of the stomach.
