It is difficult to find a person who would not like a watermelon - this juicy tasty product is a real salvation on hot summer days: it not only nourishes, but also perfectly quenches thirst. On the beneficial properties of watermelon, different ways to use and possible contraindications to its use will be discussed in the article.
Calorie and nutritional value
The caloric content of a product is the amount of energy that the body needs to spend on processing 100 grams of a product. Nutritional value is the composition of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the product. 
This product is great for diet food - 100 g of watermelon contains only 27 kcal. This is because most of the berries are water. 100 g of watermelon is very small proteins - only 0.6 grams, and carbohydrate - 5.8 grams, the least fat - about 0.1 grams. Water is 93% - that is, 93 grams out of 100. Dietary fiber occupies the remaining 6-7%.
We advise you to read about the types of watermelons and their benefits, planting and growing watermelons, the characteristics of yellow watermelon, a variety of watermelon varieties (including varieties "Astrakhansky", "Chill").
Vitamins, macro and micronutrients
The chemical composition of watermelon is quite rich. He contains:
Vitamins:
- IN 1;
- AT 2;
- IN 3;
- AT 6;
- AT 9;
- WITH;
- BUT;
- E;
- PP
Macro elements:
- potassium;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- sodium;
- phosphorus.
Of trace elements in the composition there is iron. In addition to these components, glucose, sucrose, essential and non-essential amino acids are present in watermelon.
Read also about such gourds as pumpkin: useful and medicinal properties, storage in the winter, freezing pumpkins, pumpkin cakes and honey recipes, drying pumpkins for decor; pumpkin varieties (nutmeg, large-fruited, hard-rooted); planting and care in your garden, pests and diseases.
What is useful watermelon
Due to the rich set of chemical components in the composition, watermelon has a beneficial effect on the body. This is the biggest berry that exists nowadays, not only accelerates and regulates metabolism and removes excess cholesterol, but also strengthens the immune system, enriching it with necessary beneficial substances.
For women
The main property of watermelon is cleansing effect: it removes excess toxins, moisture and fats from the body, which is used by women who want to lose weight. Drinking watermelon can relieve swelling of the body, remove bags under the eyes, relieve heartburn and saturate the body with vitamin C. During the menstrual period, this berry helps to cope with the general weakness of the body, pain and cramps in the lower abdomen and headaches, as well as somewhat reduce blood loss. 
For men
Components like citrulline and lycolin act like “Viagra” - they have a huge stimulating effect on sexual function. Watermelon juice not only expands the blood vessels, increasing sexual desire, but is also an excellent prevention of prostate cancer, so all men who want to maintain their reproductive health, the use of this seasonal berries is strongly recommended.
Learn more about the zucchini: useful properties, preparation for the winter (drying, freezing); the cultivation of zucchini on the site (the choice of seeds, the rules of planting and growing seedlings from and from the seeds, pests and diseases).
Usage features
Watermelon, loved by all and in great demand in the summer season, has, however, its own nuances in use.
During pregnancy
For women who are expecting a baby, this product can be a real salvation: it gives the body a lot of necessary nutrients and vitamins. However, it should be used with caution: because of its strong diuretic effect, it can squeeze an already filled bladder of a pregnant woman, which will only increase the discomfort and accelerate the already rapid metabolism in the body. To avoid this, eat watermelon. no more than 1-2 slices in a day. 
With HB
When breastfeeding a baby, watermelon is better or better. eliminate or reduce to a minimum: The fact is that this berry can cause a strong allergic reaction of the infant, so at an early age, doctors do not recommend moms eat watermelon when breastfeeding babies.
Did you know? The largest watermelon in the Guinness Book of Records was grown in the USA - it had a weight of 120 kg!
When losing weight
But wanting to lose weight the use of watermelon berries can not be limited (unless, of course, you have no problems with the bladder) - it quickly and in large quantities will remove excess fats and toxins from the body, while you will not feel a constant feeling of hunger - the watermelon is quite nutritious, although it consists almost of water. It is ideal for fasting days - it will not only be able to “unload” the body from unnecessary substances, but also rejuvenate it, giving a feeling of lightness and freshness, which will be the key to a good mood. 
With diabetes
Since natural glucose is present in the watermelon berry, and the glycemic index is not very high (no more than 60), its can be consumed with diabetes varying degrees. A positive factor for diabetics will be the content of a large amount of water and fiber in watermelon - it will be a complete replacement for many products banned for diabetics.
Important! For diabetics, the rate of watermelon per day should not exceed 400 grams of the product - otherwise an oversaturation of the body with sucrose may occur.
When gastritis
Even with acute inflammation of the gastric mucosa, people with gastritis can consume watermelon - it does not contain dangerous acids. However, if you eat more than 2-3 slices of watermelon per day, it can still increase the acidity of the stomach. If you do not exceed this rate, then this berry will even speed recovery through active vitamin complexes in its composition.
Zucchini is one of the varieties of zucchini, often used in cooking. Learn more about the beneficial properties and varieties of this melon vegetable.
Gout
Gout is a chronically occurring type of disease in which there is a violation of the excretion of uric acid. Watermelon can be used for gout, due to its low calorie content and a large percentage of the liquid in the composition. 
The high content of vitamins, the concentration of beneficial elements and the anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect of this product will only favorable effect, and facilitate the course of the disease. However, there is a condition: this berry needs to be consumed separately from other food products, between main meals - otherwise, fermentation can be caused in the stomach.
Without taste of juicy and fragrant melon it is difficult to imagine summer. Find out how the melon is useful, what preparations you can make from it, how to dry the melon, and also: the best varieties of Ukrainian melons, planting and care, diseases and pests, growing problems.
From what age can children
Grudnichkov and children under 3 years is strictly not recommended to treat this berry - It causes an allergic reaction in almost all children. The babies have not yet sufficiently formed the work of the stomach, they often have violations of the chair - the use of watermelon will only exacerbate these problems.
If you definitely want to treat your baby with this sweet delicacy, cut a crumb for him from the middle - the largest concentration of chemicals is near the peel. In addition, such products can be given to children only in the season of its ripening - this is from the end of July to the end of September. At this time, watermelons are less treated with harmful substances. 
Did you know? Watermelons can be not only traditionally round, but also square - the Japanese were the first to bring such berries at the end of the 20th century.
How to choose a ripe and tasty watermelon
The most tasty and juicy watermelon fruit ripened by the end of August and the beginning of September, however, unripe and savory units are found among them. To choose the most juicy watermelon, you need to purchase pay attention to such moments:
- Place of purchase. All melon types of products should be sold in special tents, where they are provided with good ventilation. It is very important that they lay on wooden decking at a height of at least 20 cm from the ground - through the smallest cracks in the bark, dirt and dust from the ground will fall into the flesh, which will start the formation of disease-causing and mold processes inside the watermelon.
- The integrity of the bark of watermelon. Feel free to touch the berry from all sides - you need to make sure that there are no dents or cracks on it, or any other damage.
- Color and shape. Ideally, the watermelon will have a spherical or slightly elongated shape and even color. Bright contrasting stripes on the bark of the product are true witnesses of its richness and ripeness. If you rub the crust of such a watermelon, on your fingers should not be traces of the smell of hay. If you clearly smell, it means that the product is immature.
- Tail. The ripe berry has a completely dry and crisp tail - this suggests that it absorbed all the nutrients from the soil and was saturated with sugar. A sluggish yellow or green tail is a sure sign that the watermelon is immature.
- Yellow spot on the side. Too big (more than 10 cm) and a bright mark indicates that the watermelon did not lie down on the bahcha, and was not ripe. But small bright spots, randomly scattered around the bark of the berries, on the contrary, indicate its full maturity.
- Tapping. Ripe watermelon berries, if you click on it with your finger, always make a loud and clear sound. But a dull echo leaves no doubt: such a product is immature.
- The size. Too large and small watermelon fruits are often unsweetened or too watery. It is better to choose a medium sized berry.
Buy watermelon fruit only in verified points of sale, ask the seller for a special certificate - it should indicate whether nitrates are present in these products.
Important! In no case do not get cut watermelons - they are breeding grounds for microbes and bacteria that have fallen into the flesh with dust particles of air and earth.
How to chop and how much you can eat per day
The traditional cut of this product is slices or slices. However, as practice shows, eating watermelon fruit with slices is not always convenient (especially for children). It is best to cut the watermelon berry by squares - this form is more convenient, and allows less to pollute the face with juice. It is also gaining popularity by eating watermelon with spoons - the berry is cut into 2 or 4 parts, and the pulp is eaten with a spoon (this is the most acceptable way for children).
The rate of consumption per day depends on the individual characteristics of each person's body - if you do not have problems with digestion and the excretory system, you can eat at least the whole product. The daily rate for an average person with a normal metabolism should be 800-1000 grams of pulp (this is one small watermelon). Children from three years old are advised to give no more than 3 lobes per day. 
How and how much can be stored at home
At home, this berry in cut form, you can keep no more than three days - Watermelon fruit must be stored in the refrigerator. Otherwise, the fermentation process will begin in it in a day.
Learn how to save a watermelon before the New Year, preserve a watermelon in a jar, make watermelon honey.
How can be used for cosmetic purposes
This fragrant berry can not only renew and rejuvenate the body inside, but also improve the appearance. With its help you can perfectly moisturize the skin, give it elasticity and return freshness.
Moisturizing and toning mask
It is very simple to create a moisturizing face mask from a watermelon fruit - you just need to cut the berry and apply the crumb on clean face skin. After 15 minutes of such a mask on the face, you will see that the pores have narrowed, the greasy luster has disappeared, and the skin has gained elasticity. After using the mask, it is recommended to apply a light moisturizer to the face to fix the effect. 
You can also make a great tonic from a watermelon fruit - for this, squeeze the watermelon juice into ice molds and make watermelon ice. If you lose your face every morning with such an ice block, it will help relieve fatigue and excessive swelling of the face, as well as reduce dark spots and bags under the eyes.
Read also about the beneficial properties, methods of harvesting, the best varieties and cultivation of squash.
Cleansing mask
To prepare an effective cleansing face mask, you need:
- dry the seeds of watermelon berries and finely grind them;
- dilute the resulting watermelon powder with warm water (you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil);
- with massaging movements apply the resulting product on the previously steamed skin, leave for 15 minutes;
- 15-20 minutes later, wash off the mask with cold water.
Hair care
Organic acids in the composition of watermelon and vitamins successfully restore and treat damaged hair structure, improve their growth and eliminate dandruff, as well as reduce the likelihood of excessive hair loss. The most effective are such hair products:
- Mask with onion juice. Mix watermelon and onion juice in proportions 2: 1, add egg yolk and a teaspoon of honey. Apply this tool before washing the head for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
- Refreshing shampoo. To 100 grams of watermelon juice add 10 drops of menthol essential oil, distribute over the entire length of the hair and rub into the roots. This tool perfectly cleans hair from dirt, so use a regular shampoo is not necessary.
- Anti-dandruff mask. Half a glass of watermelon juice mixed with 2 teaspoons of alcohol or alcohol cologne. Rub into the roots and, wrapping your head with a warm towel, hold for up to 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water and regular shampoo.
Contraindications and symptoms of administration
Despite the abundance of useful properties, there is still a category of those to whom watermelon is either contraindicated or highly undesirable. These include people:
- with metabolic and digestive disorders;
- having a stomach ulcer and other serious bowel disease;
- suffering from colitis and bloating;
- children up to 3 years;
- having large kidney stones.
Did you know? From the Turkic language "watermelon" is translated as "donkey cucumber" - and indeed, donkeys love to eat these berries right from the melon.
If you have used a watermelon fruit, which has a large amount of nitrates and harmful chemical poisons, the first symptoms of poisoning may appear as early as 1 hour after taking the berries. These include:
- stomachache;
- vomiting or diarrhea;
- temperature rise;
- last skin integument;
- headaches and bloating.
Depending on the amount of consumption of nitrate watermelon fruit, the symptoms may be less or more pronounced. When symptoms of poisoning increase the amount of fluid consumed - drink more warm water to remove toxins. You can use "Smektu", "Enterosgel", a weak solution of potassium permanganate and other drugs, but not analgesics. In case of poisoning of children, or in case of severe intoxication of an adult - immediately seek medical help.
Watermelon fruit is truly a storehouse of vitamins, which, during the ripening season, can provide the body with all the necessary elements and vitamins. Knowledge of the norms of use, as well as the rules for choosing the most ripe watermelon, will allow you to enjoy this juicy tasty product without harm to health.
