FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Watermelon

Watermelon, hmmm how can we describe it? Watermelon, a round huge fruit, green outside and red inside with lots of juice.Hmm mouth watering? Lets get t know more about watermelons. Watermelon is thought to have originated in southern Africa. A watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. As with many other fruits, it is a source of vitamin C.The amino-acid citrulline was first extracted from watermelon and analyzed. Watermelons contain a significant amount of citrulline and after consumption of several kg, an elevated concentration is measured in the blood plasma.  Lycopene is responsible for the red colour in watermelon. Watermelon is mildly diuretic and contains large amounts of beta carotene. Watermelon with red flesh is a significant source oflycopene. 

Preliminary research indicates that consumption of watermelon may have anti-hypertensive effects though more research is needed to confirm these findings. There are more than 1200 varieties of watermelon, ranging in weight from less than a pound to more than two hundred pounds, with flesh that is red, orange, yellow or white and these varieties are grown in 96 countries. China is the number one producer of watermelons at and the U.S. is the fourth largest producer.  Watermelons are grown in many countries in different shapes e.g Japan grows watermelons in cubic shapes etc.The largest watermelon was grown in 1990 by Bill Carson of Tennessee, weighing 262 pounds. Watermelon is a great source of refreshment in the scorching heat and watermelon juice is beneficial in summer.