Summer Fruits And Their Benefits

Summer has arrived. It is the season of shorts, sunscreen, hit the beach, filling the coolers and many other things. But summer also brings with itself excessive heat and chances of dehydration. In this season you need to eat food that helps prevents above mentioned conditions from occurring. Here are a few summer fruits and their benefits.

Watermelon - Ripped only in summer, this big red ball of health is filled with water and taste. The amount of water present in this fruit helps you in being hydrated and keeps your body cool. Watermelon also acts as in defense and protects your skin from sunburn. You won't get food cravings after its consumption, it keeps your tummy feels filled. It is also good for people with high blood pressure, but in a limit. This one ought to be consumed almost every day in summer.

Oranges - Oranges are sweetest, juiciest summer fruit full of nutrients. Orange is low in calories and keeps your blood pressure in check. Orange is also a source of Vitamin C which is the most required vitamin in your body after an age. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that is also useful in skin damage caused by sun rays. Not only oranges, but their peel also performs wonders on your skin. It lightens your skin tone and erases all the scars and shades.

Mango - Mango is called the king of fruits. There are many reasons for calling it so and one of them is the long list of its benefits. It is proven by research that mango prevents cancer. Mango, when mixed with milk, becomes a source of strength. Mango shake increases immunity and gives you the strength to perform better. Vitamin A present in mango helps with good eyesight and stops night blindness. Mangoes have enzymes that break down protein and improves digestion. Like oranges, mango is also beneficial for skin. Those skin pores you can't get rid of, mango removes them.

Litchi - Litchi though arrives a little late in summer but is worth the wait. The taste and sweetness of litchi are exquisite, plus it is also a source of nutrients. Apart from the taste, litchi also excels in health factor. It is filled with Vitamin B & Vitamin C and minerals like magnesium and potassium. It is also proven to be helpful in asthma. The antioxidants present in Litchi have cancer-fighting abilities. The minerals help in proper blood circulation throughout the entire body. It prevents signs of aging and promotes hair growth as well.

Peaches - Peaches are also high in Vitamin C. The fiber present in peaches fills you up without increasing weight. Peaches also cure metabolic syndrome. It also lowers the risk of cancer. It is a mixture of all the nutrients - protein, carbohydrate, calcium, fiber, iron, magnesium, sugar and rich in various vitamins - A, C, E, and K. Though you should try to consume peaches that are canned in water and not the one canned in syrup. Peaches with syrup are not so healthy and can increase your sugar level.

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3 Cool Summer Foods To Hydrate Your Body

Summer is fun, hot and demanding on our bodies. It's easy to get dehydrated when we stay out in the heat. We are supposed to drink plenty of water during the day, but did you know you can keep your body hydrated with food too? 

Rejuvenate your immune system and stay hydrated with these 3 cool summertime foods:

1. Watermelon

Chock full of vitamins C, A, and B6 and potassium and magnesium, this watery fruit helps keep the water in your cells where it belongs. Ways to eat watermelon are in slices and chunks. If you cut a watermelon in chunks and store in a covered dish in the refrigerator, it will be easier to grab and eat when you are hungry. Another delicious way is to drink your watermelon. Make watermelon juice by putting slices in the blender with a few ice cubes.

2. Cucumber

Have you ever heard the phrase "cool as a cucumber"? Cucumbers are loaded with vitamin C, molybdenum, and vitamin A. The skin of the cucumber has silica which nourishes your skin and connective tissue. It is rich in potassium and magnesium which is essential for keeping hydrated. Add cucumber slices to salads or make a cold soup like Gazpacho. Just puree the cucumber with tomatoes, green peppers and onions. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Summer squash

Zucchini or yellow squash are prolific in summer gardens. They are full of manganese, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and vitamin A. So both kinds of summer squash are a great vegetable to keep you hydrated. Grate the squash over salads or add to sandwiches. Serve with your favorite dips instead of chips. You can also shred zucchini to add to bread or muffin recipes.

It's easy to add these 3 foods into your summer fun. Cold soups and salads help you to stay cool, keep you away from the stove, and take minimal time to prepare. Don't forget the watermelon juice! It's better for the kids than sweet drinks and sodas which cause dehydration.

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Stay Cool And Hydrated With These Fun Watermelon Recipes

Hydration is always important for our bodies but it's especially important when the weather gets hot. We also might be sweating more than normal so we are losing fluids that need to be replenished. Naturally, we need a way to cool down and hydrate the body. I always recommend drinking fresh, natural spring water or at least water that has been re-mineralized. 

Drink approximately half of your body weight (in pounds) in ounces of water per day. Keep a water bottle near by so you are always reminded to have a sip! Now, I know not everyone is a fan of plain water so there's nothing wrong with infusing water naturally with some fruit slices, cucumber slices, or mint leaves. Since watermelon is popular in the summer time and tastes oh so delicious I have two fun recipes for you to enjoy.

First, let's discover a few benefits of watermelon:

1. Naturally hydrating
2. High in lycopene
3. Contains beneficial amino acids
4. Anti-inflammatory properties
5. Packed with antioxidants

Recipe 1

Watermelon Slushie - makes 1 serving (vegan)

Ingredients:
3 cups seedless watermelon, chopped
1 cup ice
1 tbsp coconut sugar
1 lime

Photo: Ungoofaaru.com

Directions:
1. Place all ingredients except the lime into a high-speed blender.
2. Chop the lime in half and squeeze the juice into the blender. Discard the flesh and skin of the lime.
3. Blend the ingredients together until combined. If you let the drink sit it will separate a bit so just stir it as needed.

Recipe 2

Watermelon Pizza or Salad - makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients:
5-6 watermelon slices (keep rind on for pizza, it's easier to hold this way)
1/3 cup fresh blueberries
1/4 cup walnut pieces
1/4 cup feta cheese (optional)
2-3 fresh mint leaves

Photo: Recipesfoodandcooking.com

Directions For Pizza: 

1. Place all of the watermelon slices on a flat surface.
2. Sprinkle on each ingredient evenly between all slices. Eat like you would a pizza slice!

Directions For Salad:
1. Take the slices and chop them into chunks. Discard the rind.
2. Place the chunks into 1 or 2 bowls and sprinkle on the remaining ingredients.
3. Stir gently to combine and enjoy!

Those are some simple and fun recipes to try this summer. You can certainly always just eat the slices as is or chop the watermelon into chunks, but if you want something different and creative, it never hurts to experiment. You will be staying cool and hydrated and it will taste delicious!

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8 Amazing Health Benefits Of Watermelon

The Watermelon (Scientific Name: Citrullis lanatus) is one fruit that has been the focus of intensive research in recent times, even as more of its health benefits are being unravelled by the day. Belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, the watermelon is related to other fruits like cucumber, pumpkin, squash and cantaloupe. 

It's no surprise at all that the watermelon is so called, given its amazing 92% water composition which makes it extremely juicy and refreshing especially in a hot weather. Interestingly, every part of the watermelon is nutrient-rich from the thick greenish outer rind to the red or pink inner flesh. 

Furthermore, the watermelon is a very rich source of important nutrients ranging from vitamins and minerals to important antioxidants, hence the numerous health benefits that this amazing fruit offers. Moreover, researches have revealed that the watermelon is more nutritious when it becomes fully ripe. For instance, the lycopene content of a watermelon becomes richer and more concentrated as the flesh turns from white-pink to pink and finally to red. Consequently, a ripe watermelon offers more benefits as follows:

1. Improves Cardiovascular Health 
Watermelon gives a boost to the functioning of your heart. The National Watermelon Promotion Board reported that watermelon has a higher lycopene content than any other fruit or vegetable. Lycopene-rich diets are cardioprotective. Similarly, potassium which is present in good amounts in watermelons also offers significant protection against cardiovascular disease by dilating the blood vessels and lowering the blood pressure. Furthermore, a study that was published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that watermelon extracts reduced blood pressure in some obese adults with hypertension.

2. Good for your Skin 
Watermelon is a fruit that has proved highly beneficial for the skin. Apart from keeping the skin well hydrated, it is also rich in vitamin A, an important nutrient for sebum production which keeps the hair and skin supple and moisturized. In addition, Vitamin C is needed in the formation of collagen which is necessary to maintain the structure and integrity of the skin.

3. Protects Against Diabetes
Being a tasty, high-fibre and low-calorie fruit, watermelon is a fruit of choice for diabetic individuals. The L-citrulline content is converted to arginine which has been shown to enhance the function of the sugar-lowering hormone, insulin. In the same vein, potassium and magnesium found in watermelons also promote the effect of insulin in the body and thus help to keep blood sugar within safe limits in people with diabetes.

4. Reduces Cancer Risk
Watermelon has been shown to offer some protection against cancers. Free radical formation contributes to DNA mutations that result in cancer. Fortunately, watermelon has a rich content of antioxidants like vitamins C and A which help to mop up free radicals. More still, watermelon and tomatoes are evidently your best sources of lycopene which has been linked to a reduced risk of cancers of the prostate, breast, colon and lungs

5. Good Hydration
Watermelon is 92% water hence in a hot weather, it can be particularly refreshing as it helps to replenish the insensible water loss from your skin, thereby protecting you from dehydration and heat stroke.

6. Helps Against Impotence
Research has shown that when sufficient quantities of watermelon are consumed, it can provide a Viagra-like effect in treating erectile dysfunction. It contains arginine which can be converted to Nitric Oxide (NO), a compound that helps to dilate the blood vessels of the penis and thereby enhance erection.

7. Reduces Risk of Kidney Disorders
Good hydration provided by watermelon helps to flush the kidneys regularly and keeps them functioning optimally. In addition, by reducing the concentration of uric acid in the blood, watermelons reduce the incidence of calculus (stone) formation in the kidneys. Furthermore, since watermelon is rich in antioxidants, the likelihood of free-radical damage to the kidneys is less in individuals who consume watermelon.

8. Reduces Muscle Soreness
This is especially good news for athletes who often experience muscle pain after indulging in strenuous exercises. Research has attributed this muscle-relaxing effect to the L-citrulline content of watermelons.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com