Striped green fruit, which ripens by region in late July or mid-August, has long been a symbol of summer. Contrary to common misconception, watermelon is not a fruit at all, but rather a berry. . . But this in no way denies its positive qualities and beneficial effects on the body.
The history of watermelon dates back to ancient Egypt, where people were already familiar with this culture and actively cultivated it. Historians claim that there is evidence of watermelon consumption from the 20th century BC. Then watermelon seeds were found in the buildings of the pharaohs' dynasty, who ruled in the 20-18 centuries BC. C. As you know, the Egyptians believed in the afterlife and deposited everything that could be useful in the tombs of their rulers. This included food, particularly watermelons. Watermelon seeds have even been found in the tomb of the legendary Tutankhamun. Additionally, watermelons were also often depicted on tomb walls and in ancient medical treatises. According to Ancient Egyptian mythology, the watermelon grew from the male seed of the god Set.
Watermelon diet for weight loss and cleansing
The answer to the question of whether it is possible to eat watermelon while losing weight is obvious: it is possible and necessary. And not just because watermelon is a low-calorie product.
The calorie content of watermelon per hundred grams is only 38 calories.
The point is also that the pulp, as well as the watermelon juice, have diuretic, choleretic and laxative properties, which allows you to eliminate from the body not only toxins and toxins, but also excess liquid, and as you know, our body consists mainly of water. And since many of us today consume greater amounts of salt and other water-retaining foods, water is retained in the body, contributing to weight gain.
Watermelon allows you to remove excess fluid from the body, while cleansing the intestines, kidneys, and blood vessels. Therefore, watermelon for weight loss is the first remedy, especially in the summer season. In summer, due to the high temperature around us, we use less energy and, as a result, feel less hungry. Therefore, the watermelon diet is an excellent option to lose weight in summer.
Watermelon is a little less than completely water, so it is easily absorbed and has a beneficial effect on the body.
As for the vitamins in watermelon, this berry is also not far behind other plant products.
As part of the watermelon:
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- potassium;
- sodium;
- phosphorus;
- hardware;
- folic acid;
- ascorbic acid.
And many other useful ingredients: this is what watermelon can give us.
Watermelon diet for weight loss: benefits and harm
What are the general advantages and disadvantages of the watermelon diet? First, let's talk about the downsides. This is especially true for the mono diet watermelon diet. Eating watermelons alone is a good cleansing practice, but it is contraindicated for people with weak kidneys, since with such a diet, the kidneys function at full capacity, because watermelon, as mentioned above, has a diuretic effect. Also, the watermelon mono-diet is contraindicated for people with urolithiasis: kidney activity can lead to stone elimination processes. Stones larger than 4mm in diameter can be a big problem. Therefore, the question "Is it possible to eat watermelon on a diet? " For everyone is decided individually.
The benefits of the watermelon diet
Now let's talk about the benefits of the watermelon diet. The most important benefit of the watermelon diet is not even losing weight, but cleansing the body of toxins and toxins. In addition to diuretic and choleretic effects, watermelons also have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and laxative properties. Watermelon pulp gently stimulates intestinal motility, allowing you to get rid of accumulated toxins.
To get rid of toxins and toxins that have been accumulating for many years, an ingested watermelon will not be enough. Therefore, regularity is an important condition for successful cleaning.
If you regularly organize fasting days for yourself, eating only delicious watermelons, this will be a very effective method of cleansing the whole body, which will give a good result.
There is also good news for people with diabetes: watermelon does not contain complex sugars, so no insulin is produced when consumed. This means that it is completely safe for diabetics.
In addition, watermelon contains mineral salts, which help to normalize the water-salt balance in the body.
Well, another important advantage: watermelon contains antioxidants that rejuvenate our body and begin the process of tissue regeneration.
Watermelon diet menu
The watermelon diet menu is straightforward. If there is a goal to lose weight or cleanse the body, it is enough to eat only watermelons for several days. You can eat one to two kilograms of watermelons a day. However, if you have an appetite for more volume, you should not deny yourself, but you should listen to your well-being.
How long a watermelon diet can last is an individual question. But you should not eat watermelons alone for more than a week, especially if your usual diet type does not include regular consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits in large quantities. If the body is simply not used to assimilating such foods, and if an unprepared person practices the mono-watermelon diet for a long time, this can lead to severe exhaustion.
Delicious strawberry and watermelon smoothie
One of the mildest options on the watermelon diet is a strawberry watermelon smoothie. This tasty and healthy drink can please not only you, but also your friends and loved ones.
To cook you will need:
- 2-3 medium-sized watermelon slices;
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- a couple of lemon balm or mint leaves;
- a slice of lime or lemon;
- half a glass of water.
Opinions on the watermelon mono-diet can be found different, and this is due to the type of food that is characteristic of a person at a given time. If the diet before switching to a diet was dominated by animal products and unnatural refined foods, then such a diet can quickly lead to exhaustion, so it should not be practiced for a long time.
When to buy a watermelon
Now the most important question: when to buy watermelons and how to choose them so as not to be damaged by a low-quality product? On average, it is recommended to do this at the beginning, and even better in the second half of August. Although the sale of watermelons begins, sometimes, already in June. The watermelons that are sold in June and July are imported or grown in greenhouses, with all the delicacies in the form of various fertilizers and other chemicals.
Don't buy watermelons in the middle of summer. The best time to buy watermelons is early to mid August.
How to choose a ripe watermelon: revealing the secrets
Buying a watermelon is a responsible business. To buy a good watermelon, you must know how to choose it carefully.
- First of all, the weight of the watermelon is important. Don't take too small and too big. Most likely, the former are not ripe and the latter are full of chemistry. It is better to buy a watermelon with an average weight of 5-8 kg.
- The rind of a ripe watermelon is always hard and shiny, and the stripes are shiny. If this is not the case, the watermelon is not yet ripe or is already overripe.
- When tapped, the watermelon should make a buzz, this means it is ripe.
What about nitrates?
Now about nitrates: Unfortunately, their presence can only be discovered by cutting a watermelon. If the pulp is purple and the veins are yellow, then the watermelon is poisoned with nitrates.
The flesh should be bright red and the veins should be white; Such a watermelon is a pure product and can be eaten safely without harm to health.
Watermelon is ideal for those looking to lose weight. In addition, watermelon is harmoniously suitable for any type of food: it is literally a vitamin complex to saturate our body with useful substances. For example, only 150 grams of watermelon will provide our body with a daily dose of magnesium. And most importantly, this delicious berry makes a great, sweet and healthy summer dessert.
Watermelon and cantaloupe are the best options to get rid of harmful sweets at least in summer. At the same time, it is important to remember that any product can be harmful if abused. There is a saying like this: "Overeating - means poisoned". And even the healthiest foods can lead to health problems if we overeat. Therefore, eating a ten kilogram watermelon alone in one sitting is not the best idea.