Watermelon: The Energy Drink

CEBU, Philippines – Before going to the gym or going for a jog, your best energy drink is slices of watermelon.

Concentrated with B-vitamins, watermelons can give substantial energy.

High water content in watermelon is what produces energy while hydrating the body. If you can lick it, do away with caffeine filled energy drinks that dehydrate the body.

Watermelon by its very name is 92 percent water and 6 percent sugar. Drinking a big glass of watermelon is effective in the elimination of constipation and wastes.

The diuretic action of watermelons eliminates excess fluids in the body. It has a natural cleansing effect in healing kidney and bladder problems. It cleanses the body of toxic wastes that reduces itchiness and relieves asthma attacks resulting from toxicity.

This thirst quencher is a cancer-fighter. In an eat-all-you-can buffet, most guests take mounds of Black Forest slices and brownies rather than slices of watermelon at the far end of the table. Satan has delicious ways of tempting people to eat cholesterol-laden food.

If you are on a weight-loss program or simply want to stay fit, dig for watermelons instead of those bad cholesterol-laden, fat-filled desserts. Watermelons are said to be rich in potassium, lycopene and beta-carotene. The potassium content in watermelon helps control blood pressure, regulate heart beat and prevent strokes. A potassium-rich diet keeps salt from raising blood pressure and reduces the risk of developing kidney stones.

The beta-carotene and Vitamin C content of watermelon can prevent heart disease and cancer. For arthritis patients, rich beta-carotene and vitamin C content in watermelons alleviates inflammation in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Research has proven that lycopene content of watermelon helps to reduce risks of prostate, breast, lung and colon cancers. Lycopene is effective at trapping cancer-promoting agents. The anti-oxidants of watermelon are said to be very concentrated that it can kill cancer-causing free radicals. What prevents heart and colon cancers are not the heaps of meat dishes. Rather it is heaps of slices of fresh watermelon.

Even seeds of watermelon are rich sources of protein, essential and non-essential amino acids and oil. Watermelon seed is about 35 percent protein, 50 percent oil, and 5 percent dietary fiber. Watermelon seeds are also rich in micro- and macro-nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorous, zinc etc.

Watermelons can fight age-related symptoms of short and long-term vision loss. Studies have reportedly shown that eating watermelon is healthy for the eyes than eating carrots

Instead of using creams and toners to lighten or eliminate skin blemishes, watermelons can be used externally by applying a small piece on the face, leave for 10 minutes or more and then wash off with warm water, followed by a splash of cold water.

A dig into watermelon's past reveals that it was first cultivated in Egypt purportedly owing to hot weather and lack of water in the deserts. Egyptians depended on watermelons as primary water sources.

If while reading this article you urge for a scoop of ice cream or a packet of junk food, go for slices of watermelon instead. It is your thirst-quencher and energy-giver in one. (FREEMAN)