Watermelon is a very popular fruit in the summer because it helps replenish fluids and minerals, is mildly sweet and refreshing, and is inexpensive and easy to buy.
Normally, when we buy a watermelon and cut it open, we only eat the red flesh inside, discarding the rind and white pith. But besides the hard outer rind that should be thrown away, the white pith of the watermelon also has some surprising uses.
Benefits of watermelon rind
According to the American health website Healthline, watermelon rind has the following benefits:
Helps improve workout performance.
Watermelon rind contains citrulline, a substance that can boost exercise performance because it helps increase the dilation of blood vessels. Supplementing with citrulline supports oxygen delivery to muscles, improving exercise performance.
Reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.
The potassium content in watermelon rind can enhance kidney health because it plays a role in regulating and maintaining the acidity level in urine. Furthermore, the abundant water content in watermelon rind increases urine volume, facilitating the easier elimination of kidney stones.
Boost immunity
Vitamin C is an important nutrient in stimulating the production of white blood cells, helping to fight against harmful external agents entering the body, and watermelon rind is rich in vitamin C.
Additionally, the nutrient citrulline in watermelon rind helps to neutralize free radicals and remove toxins from the body.
The benefits of watermelon rind (Photo: Istock)
Anti-inflammatory
Watermelon contains a large amount of lycopene, a substance that helps reduce arthritis inflammation and acts as an antioxidant, slowing down the aging process of joints and making bones stronger.
Weight loss support
Just like the red flesh inside, the white rind of a watermelon contains very few calories but has a relatively high content of amino acids that help the body expend energy and burn excess fat easily.
In addition, watermelon rind is high in fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, making you feel full longer, slowing digestion, and curbing cravings. This helps maintain a healthy weight and supports effective and healthy weight loss. The fiber in watermelon rind also helps maintain regular bowel movements and reduces the risk of developing colon diseases.
Here are some suggestions for dishes made with watermelon rind.
Watermelon rind salad
Cut the watermelon rind into small cubes and mix with salt for about 15 minutes, then drain and rinse. Mix the watermelon rind with salad dressing and fresh vegetables. Refrigerate the salad for about 30 minutes before serving. (This is a recipe for watermelon rind jam.)
Prepare the ingredients including
- Watermelon rind: 2kg
- 2 slices of watermelon, rind off.
- Half a cup of hibiscus syrup
- 1 bowl of white sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt
Making
- Cut the melon rind into pieces about the size of your little finger, then soak them in a bowl of salt water for about 5 minutes.
- Drain the melon rind in a colander and then transfer it to a bowl to mix with sugar.
- Use a blender to blend 2 pieces of cantaloupe with half a cup of hibiscus syrup. Pour this mixture into the bowl containing the cantaloupe pulp that has been mixed with sugar and mix well. Let the bowl of cantaloupe pulp rest for about 3 hours to absorb the color and sugar.
- Place a large pan on the stove, pour in the bowl of melon pulp, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and stir continuously to prevent the melon pulp from burning. Stir until the sugar syrup mixture thickens slightly and sugar sticks to the chopsticks, then turn off the heat and continue stirring until the jam cools down.
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