Watermelon is one of the most classic summer fruits, leading the charge as the most consumed melon in America, with cantaloupe and honeydew right behind it. You can do so many things with watermelons! They can be used to make juices, smoothies, desserts, salads, and you can even grill watermelons. There is one part of the watermelon, though, that doesn’t get utilized, despite its rich nutritional content and inherent health benefits.
We are not talking about watermelon seeds, even though they can help with digestion. We are, of course, talking about the watermelon rind because it is the most underused part of the watermelon. This isn’t the green exterior layer, which you should avoid eating because of pesticides and the wax coating. The rind is the inside light green skin that has leftover bite marks after eating a triangular watermelon slice.
Most people don’t know that the rind has more citrulline, an important amino acid for heart health, than the pink flesh. The rind also contains a lot of blood-building chlorophyll, which has been proven to have therapeutic properties for over one hundred health conditions. Keep reading to learn about how eating watermelon rinds can benefit the body.
Beneficial For The Prostate
Recent studies have shown a promising link between lycopene and cancer prevention. Lycopene is an antioxidant, and antioxidants work to fight free radicals to reduce oxidative damage, a preventative step towards inhibiting cancer cell growth. The watermelon rind is a great source of lycopene, so try adding it to smoothies or pickling it.
It May Enhance the Male Libido
While watermelon is not a medication for erectile dysfunction, research indicates that regular consumption of watermelon rind can lead to an increased libido. The libido-boosting properties comes from citrulline, which is more concentrated in the rind as we previously mentioned. This amino acid helps to improve blood circulation and dilate blood vessels.
It May Help Reduce Blood Pressure
If you are trying to naturally lower your blood pressure, eating watermelons, rind and all, may be beneficial. A recent study revealed that obese adults with high blood pressure, who ate watermelon flesh and rinds, had an easier time controlling their blood pressure. Eating watermelon rinds alone will not work to lower blood pressure; rather, one must maintain a balanced diet, in addition to watermelon rind consumption, to create long-lasting, positive results.
Breaks Down Kidney Stones
Potassium is an essential mineral for maintaining healthy kidneys, and the watermelon rind is rich in potassium. The water content and potassium of the watermelon rind help flush out kidney stones, or other toxins that accumulate in the kidneys.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The lycopene in watermelon rind has some powerful anti-inflammatory properties. If you have arthritis pain, it may be beneficial to consume watermelon rinds to decrease joint pain or swelling in the joints. The folate content also helps to reduce your risk of colon cancer and heart attack.
The watermelon rind is rich in mineral waters that aren’t really found anywhere else. One of the best ways to consume the rind is to blend it with some fresh watermelon, fresh lime juice, and a little ice. This is the perfect summer drink to help you stay hydrated and refreshed. If you need more inspiration for watermelon rind recipes, click here.
