With record high temperatures being reported all over the US and several areas experiencing power outages, now it an important time to think about the importance of eating the most hydrating foods.

 

My favorite food at this time of year is a delicious, ripe, juicy watermelon!

It’s best to purchase an organic melon with seeds, they are often the sweetest and most nutritious ones.

It should be dark green, firm and symmetrical with no soft spots.  It should be heavy, since a light-weight watermelon is usually very dry and grainy.  Even though it’s important for your melon to be dark green in color, there should be a yellow area on the bottom , which is where the melon was sitting on the ground as it grew.  If the spot on the bottom is white or green, that is usually a sign that it was harvested too soon and may not be ripe.

Watermelon is 92% water and is not only a great hydrating fruit, but is also relieves inflammation in conditions like asthma, arthritis, diabetes and colon cancer.

It’s also an excellent source of Vitamin C, and good source of Vitamin A (beta-carotene) and lycopene, in the pink watermelon.

Just one cup of watermelon provides 21% of the daily value for Vitamin C, and 17% of your RDA of Vitamin A.

Watermelon is also a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, and potassium.

It is very low in calories, so you can eat lots of it!

The rind can also be juiced with or without the fruit and seeds to provide a very cleansing morning juice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy and stay hydrated!

Please post your comments and questions here, I love hearing from all of you!