What Are The Benefits Of Watermelon Seeds?

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

The beginning of autumn is the time to enjoy juicy and sweet watermelons. Their only drawback is considered by many to be black, small seeds, which constantly need to be cleaned from the pulp. But it turns out that getting rid of the seeds is not at all necessary - they can come in handy

Dried and lightly toasted watermelon seeds are edible. Important components of watermelon seeds are protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, potassium and zinc. In addition, seeds are low in calories and make an excellent snack.

How to cook fried watermelon seeds?

Most people dislike the taste or texture of raw watermelon seeds, but many love the taste of toasted seeds. Here's how to fry them properly:

- thoroughly rinse and dry the seeds, - soak them in water overnight, - wait a few days until they germinate, - remove their hard outer shell, - dry the seeds in the oven or just under the sun, - put them in a frying pan, - add a small amount of sunflower or olive oil and lightly sprinkle them with sea salt, - fry on low heat for 15 minutes, - cool before use.

There is also an easier way:

- wash and dry the seeds by placing them on a clean cloth, - heat a dry cast iron skillet, - fry the seeds for about 5-7 minutes, - dissolve a spoonful of salt in a quarter of a glass of water,

- when the seeds darken, add a saline solution to them, - fry until all the liquid has evaporated, - serve chilled.

For flavor, you can add a little cinnamon, lemon juice, chili powder, cardamom, and other spices to the seeds. Seeds are used as a snack, or put in salads, smoothies, cocktails. Here are some of the health benefits of watermelon seeds:

1. Help fight diabetes

Watermelon seeds are beneficial for the treatment and control of diabetes. The seeds contain an amino acid that works to relax and dilate blood vessels, which reduces oxidative stress. In addition, the magnesium in them helps regulate carbohydrate metabolism, which directly affects blood sugar levels. Watermelon seed extract can be an adjunct in the treatment of diabetes complications.

It is helpful to brew watermelon seeds to make a kind of watermelon tea. To do this, pour a handful of seeds with four glasses of water. Then they are boiled for about 30-45 minutes over low heat. After the infusion has cooled, you can drink it daily as tea.

2. Fight fatigue

Eating several watermelon seeds will increase energy levels and effectively fight fatigue. The seeds are rich in iron, an essential component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron helps the body convert calories into energy and also fuel the immune system. Watermelon seeds contain the amino acid L-citrulline, which helps reduce fatigue.

3. Heart health

Consuming watermelon seeds helps keep your heart healthy. These foods are rich in both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. These fats lower the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood. The high amount of potassium in the seeds is very beneficial for the health of the heart, arteries, and normal blood flow.

4. Blood pressure under control

Watermelon seeds are packed with a protein made up of several amino acids. One of them is arginine. The body can produce it, but additional stores of arginine can better control blood pressure and help treat coronary artery disease. Watermelon seeds also contain magnesium, which is also useful for controlling blood pressure.

5. Strengthening muscles

To improve muscle health and prevent muscle soreness after intense exercise, watermelon seeds can be very effective. They contain L-citrulline, a nutrient important for tissue regeneration and muscle maintenance. L-Citrulline promotes smooth muscle relaxation, improves anaerobic performance and relieves muscle pain. The magnesium in the seeds helps maintain muscle strength and prevent cramps.

6. Reduction of excess body fat

The citrulline in seeds is metabolized to the essential amino acid arginine, which controls fat storage. Watermelon seeds are low in calories (about 160 calories in 30 g), which means they can be a good snack that does not threaten the figure. They are low in fat, but healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

7. Keeping the brain working

Watermelon seeds are a good source of folate known as folate or vitamin B9. Folate is essential for normal brain function. It is especially important for pregnant women, as its deficiency can cause birth defects in the fetus. The healthy fatty acids in the seeds stimulate the work of neurotransmitters, which in turn improves memory and cognition. Potassium contributes to this. The antioxidants in the seeds protect brain cells from the harmful effects of free radicals.

8. Reducing the risk of eye diseases

Watermelon seeds are also good for eyesight. Consuming them regularly reduces the risk of premature eye degeneration and other eye diseases. The seeds contain vitamin A, a deficiency of which causes macular degeneration. Vitamin C helps protect the eyes from age-related problems, including glaucoma.

9. Hair health

Hair is mainly made up of protein, and all products that contain it will be beneficial for the health of the strands. Watermelon seeds contain a significant amount of protein, which means they will help strengthen hair. The iron in the seeds promotes hair growth, protecting it from dryness and thinning. Roasted seeds contain copper, which helps in the production of melanin, which gives the strands color. Watermelon seed oil is no less useful. It is easily absorbed by the scalp, relieves itchy scalp and promotes healthy hair growth.

10. Natural shine of the skin

Watermelon seeds help maintain the natural glow and beauty of the skin. The vitamin C in the seeds works as a powerful antioxidant to protect the skin from free radicals that accelerate aging. Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, which is important for skin health.

The seeds are rich in oleic and linoleic acids, which moisturize the skin. The oil from these seeds is suitable for all skin types, preventing dryness and helping to heal skin infections. To do this, after taking a shower, you need to rub watermelon seed oil into the skin from time to time with light massage movements.