I was enjoying watermelon with my Mom at the lake 2 weekends ago, when she asked, "Nicole, don't you think there is basically no nutrition in watermelon?! It's just like eating.... well... water?!"
I did not know the answer. I believe that all fruits and vegetables have ample nutrition, but was unsure if watermelon had less nutrients than its cousins.
Today, I remembered this conversation and am happy to report that watermelon is loaded with nutrients and health benefits! Hooray! Just one cup of watermelon has 25% of our daily vitamin C needs, 10% of vitamin A and B6, 7% of B1, and about 5% of magnesium and potassium. It’s also loaded with the anti-oxidant lycopene. Lycopene has been shown to protect against cancers including: prostate, breast, colon, endometrial, and lung. It’s also been shown to reduce inflammation in asthma, and arthritis. Studies also show that eating at least three servings of fruit each day can protect against macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in adults.
On that note, why not make some watermelon sorbet???? uhhh - yeah!
4 to 5 cups frozen (seedless) watermelon chunks
the juice of one lime
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/8 teaspoon guar gum
Place all ingredients into a food processor fitted with the "s" blade and pulse. Continue to process then pulse until all of the chunks have become a smooth sorbet. Keep pulsing and adding more sweetener if desired.
You can serve it right away or freeze for a few hours in a container.
Well- Wahoo for Watermelon!
ENJOY!
-Nicole
