Is it possible to eat watermelon seeds and how are they useful for the body?

Watermelon seeds are usually not eaten. However, in Asian countries, they are popular and are sold as a separate product, like our sunflower or pumpkin seeds. It's all about their taste and benefits.

Today you will find out if you can eat watermelon seeds and why they are so useful for the body.

Watermelon seeds

Let's take a closer look at what is included in watermelon seeds (per 100 g of product).

Vitamins:

• thiamine, B1 - 0.2 mg;
• riboflavin, B2 - 0.15 mg;
• nicotinic acid, B3 - 0.35 mg;
• pantothenic acid, B5 - 0.34 mg;
• pyridoxine, B6 - 0.09 mg;
• folic acid, B9 - 0.06 mg.

Macronutrients:

• phosphorus - 750 mg;
• calcium - 55 mg;
• potassium - 650 mg;
• magnesium - 514 mg;
• sodium - 100 mg.

Trace elements:

• iron - 7.3 mg;
• manganese - 1.62 mg;
• copper - 0.69 mg;
• zinc - 7.3 mg.

B vitamins are essential for the normalization of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. They strengthen the immune system, participate in cell growth, increase stress resistance and regulate intestinal function.

Watermelon seeds contain arginine, which normalizes blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases, and accelerates the regeneration of muscle cells.

In addition to arginine, there are other amino acids: tryptophan, lysine, oleic, linoleic and glutamic acids. Lysine has a positive effect on mental abilities, therefore it is useful for severe brain stress.

The product contains many antioxidants and lycopene. The latter is essential for the prevention of cancer.

Semi-cellulose, or fibrous component, regulates the digestive tract, normalizes stool and removes toxins.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats reduce cholesterol levels.

Citrulline normalizes blood sugar and prevents anemia.

Energy value and BZHU

100 g of product:

• proteins - 28.33 g;
• fat - 47.37 g (10 of which are saturated);
• carbohydrates - 15.31 g;
• calorie content - 601 kcal.

Is it possible to eat watermelon seeds

Inflammation of the appendix from swallowed watermelon seeds is a long-debunked myth. In the absence of contraindications and the habit of abusing them, it is not only possible to eat them, but also useful.

Benefit and harm

Like any food, watermelon seeds can cause allergies, which will lead to skin rashes, runny nose and enlargement of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.

Excessive use causes kidney damage from ammonia. Ammonia is released during the processing of citrulline contained in watermelon. Once inside, it breaks down and releases toxic ammonia. When it comes out in urine, it irritates the tissues.

Otherwise, due to the content of a large amount of vitamins and microelements, watermelon seeds improve overall health and are even able to have a therapeutic effect on the state of the body.

Effect of the product on organs and internal systems:

• help to remove uric acid, prevent the formation of sand and kidney stones;
• have antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects;
• promote the healing of burns and wounds;
• speed up metabolism;
• have a positive effect on the condition of the eyes;
• have vasodilating properties;
• contribute to the elimination of excess bile, which serves as the prevention of the occurrence of stones in the gallbladder;
• prevent the death of pancreatic cells.

Healing properties for various diseases

For influenza and ARVI, it is recommended to consume watermelon powder mixed with water or watermelon tea inside. Full of vitamins and microelements, tea or infusion will support the immune system and the work of internal organs, accelerate recovery.

Watermelon oil helps to get rid of stomach ulcers and internal inflammation, helps to eliminate constipation.

Seeds work and how anthelmintic means. They are added to the composition raw, dried or in the form of oil.

The presence of a large amount of valuable vitamins helps with vitamin deficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia and depression.

Watermelon seeds normalize blood sugar and increase insulin levels, which is important for people with diabetes.

They are also capable of providing analgesic effects. They are used for alcohol poisoning, edema, diarrhea and gonorrhea.

Benefits for both males and females

Watermelon seeds support the function of the prostate gland and prevent the development of prostate adenoma, which is important for men. In the presence of symptoms of erectile dysfunction, they contribute to their elimination.

One of the properties of watermelon seeds is to improve the functioning of the reproductive system, both male and female. Thanks to them, libido increases.

Correct use

Most of the useful elements are contained under the outer shell. The acidity of the stomach is not strong enough to break it down, therefore, before eating, the seeds should be peeled or chewed thoroughly before swallowing.

Like sunflower seeds, watermelon seeds should be roasted. Fried, they open easily, and the inside is chewed up.

How to fry seeds

For frying you will need:

• ripe watermelon seeds, preferably large - 1 glass;
• salt - 1 teaspoon;
• water - 0.5 cups.

Important! To prevent the seeds from burning during frying, wash them first.

Frying procedure:

1. Put the seeds in a hot skillet and fry over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a spatula.
2. When the seeds begin to crackle, add water and salt.
3. Remember to stir, fry until dry.

Cooking procedure in the oven:

1. Preheat oven to 160 ° C.
2. Cover the baking sheet with baking paper and spread out the washed and dried seeds.
3. Place the baking sheet in the oven for 15 minutes.

Important! If you want the seeds to be crisper, bake them in the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Add seasoning to the roasted seeds if desired. Hot peppers or lime juice, olive oil and salt work well for this.

If you want sweet seeds, add sugar, a pinch of vanilla or cinnamon. Experiment!

How much and how often can you eat

There is no need to consume large quantities of watermelon seeds. They have a high energy value, so there is a risk of obesity.

The average adult dose is 2 tablespoons of peeled seeds per day.

Important! Because of the citrulline contained in the seeds, abuse of them can lead to problems of the genitourinary system.

Other uses

Eating watermelon seeds raw or fried can harm people with gastrointestinal diseases... There are other options for them to benefit from the seeds.

Watermelon seed tea

For tea, you need boiling water and watermelon seeds.

Procedure for making watermelon tea:

1. Brew 4 tablespoons of seeds in 2 liters of boiling water.
2. Leave the tea under a lid and towel until it cools down to room temperature.
3. Strain the resulting broth.

Important! It is not recommended to add sugar to watermelon tea. You can sweeten it with chopped watermelon pulp or honey.

The resulting broth has a diuretic effect. It cleans the kidneys, treats urinary tract infections, and removes excess fluid.

This tea is consumed up to 4 times a day.

Oil

How to make watermelon oil?Pour washed and dried watermelon seeds into a glass container and cover with vegetable oil. Insist for about 3 weeks, then strain.

Another way to save time is to put the seeds under a press and squeeze the oil out of them.

Drink oil in the morning, 1 teaspoon, preferably no later than half an hour before the first meal. When treating kidneys - up to 4 times a day, 1 teaspoon. To combat acne - half a teaspoon up to 6 times a day. For hair loss - 1 teaspoon twice a day.

Important! You should not drink the oil with water, especially if you use it to eliminate problems of the genitourinary system.

Watermelon oil is suitable as an alternative to other oils for non-cooked dishes, such as salads or cold snacks.

It is also used as a cosmetic product. Full of vitamins, it moisturizes, regenerates, nourishes, protects and prevents skin aging. Eliminates excessive grease without drying out even sensitive skin. Watermelon oil is used to prevent and prevent skin cancer. It promotes the disappearance of acne, helps to heal skin damage.

One cosmetic use is to add watermelon oil to a shower gel, shampoo, or any skin or hair care product. The approximate dose is 10% of watermelon oil from the total volume of the product.

Watermelon oil nourishes and moisturizes hair, helps to restore beauty to nails and accelerates their further growth.

Also, watermelon oil is suitable for baby skin care.

Read also:

The harm and benefits of pumpkin seeds for men.

The benefits and harms of melon seeds for the body.

The benefits and harms of squash seeds.

Sprouted seeds

In the process of germination, the substances contained inside the seeds pass into easily assimilated states. The gastrointestinal tract requires much less internal energy to absorb the beneficial seedlings.

Until the shoots are rooted in the ground, they feed on sunlight and water. It is at this moment that they reach the peak of their internal energy potential.

If you decide to get the most out of your watermelon seeds, sprout them.

The order of germination of seeds:

1. Scarify, that is, damage the outer shell of the seeds. So they will germinate faster.
2. Next, you should warm up the seeds. Place them in a deep container and cover with warm water. The water temperature should be around 50 ° C. Drain the water after half an hour. Warming up will ensure the rapid emergence of shoots.
3. To soften the outer shell of the seeds, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes.
4. From the gauze folded several times, make a kind of bag, moisten it with water and put the seeds there. If possible, do not put them closer to each other than half a centimeter.
5. Place the gauze bag in a shallow container. Cover with transparent wrap to optimize the environment and retain moisture.
6. Place the container in a warm place with sufficient sunlight.
7. Watermelon seeds germinate for a long time - you will see the sprouts that hatch only after a week. During this time, if necessary, moisten the gauze with water at room temperature and do not let it dry out.

Watermelon sprouts can be consumed in any form and combined with any food. And again - experiment!

Who are contraindicated

Do not forget that the rind and seeds of watermelon contain citrulline. Those who are faced with kidney disease, urolithiasis or colitis are contraindicated in the use of citrulline, which is harmful to them, which can provoke an increase in symptoms.

You should not eat any of the ingredients of watermelon and citrullinemia patients. This disease occurs in newborn babies, so pregnant women should be very careful when using watermelons.

Conclusion

Full of essential vitamins and elements with beneficial properties, watermelon seeds help with various diseases and help relieve symptoms.

Moderate consumption of watermelon seeds has a positive effect on health. There is no need to throw it away, because there are many options for how to prepare and use them for the benefit of the body.