Watermelon. The most consumed melons in the U.S., watermelons often surpass 20 pounds. They have green-striped skin and red, “porous” flesh that is heavily seeded, “sticky-sweet,” and “refreshing.” Aside from the flesh, the rind (usually pickled) and seeds (roasted and salted) are edible.
Is watermelon rind porous?
The figure shows that watermelon rind gave a porous surface texture which enables the adsorption of metal ions onto the surface.
Can bacteria grow on watermelon?
While melons do not naturally contain bacteria that can make you sick, their outer skin or rind can become contaminated because melons are grown close to the ground. Eating melons that have been contaminated with harmful bacteria can make you sick.
Why do watermelons have thick rinds?
Some minor scratches are okay — the purpose of the melon’s thick rind is to protect the contents inside. Ripe watermelons should also be dark green in color. A healthy, ripe watermelon should be fairly heavy for its size.
Is it healthy to eat the outside of a watermelon?
eat the watermelon rind, too. Just like watermelon seeds, the rind has a surprising amount of health benefits. While it doesn’t have a tremendous amount of nutrients according to Live Strong, it’s high in vitamins B and C. Plus, eating something you typically would have discarded cuts down on waste.
Is it OK to eat watermelon rind?
The most popular part of the watermelon is the pink flesh, but like its cousin, the cucumber, the whole thing is edible. This includes the green scraps that usually end up in the compost bin. The rind, which is the green skin that keeps all that water-logged delicious fruit safe, is completely edible.
Is it bad for dogs to eat watermelon rind?
It’s also unwise to give your dog the rind — the hard green outer skin of a watermelon — as ingesting it can cause gastrointestinal distress that triggers vomiting or diarrhea. While the fruit of the watermelon is a healthy snack in small quantities, eating too much of it could also give your dog an upset stomach.
Why should you wash watermelon?
Well, even if you’re not planning on a mega-dose of fibrous skin and rind, there is a good reason to rinse off that melon: germs. The knife that cuts through the melon’s tough exterior can transfer nasty bugs to the sweet flesh you do consume.
Should melons be washed before cutting?
Before cutting, wash the outer surface of the melon thoroughly with cool tap water to remove surface dirt; scrub with a clean produce brush. Wash all food-contact equipment and utensils that contact cut melons (cutting boards, knives, etc.)
Can you get parasites from watermelon?
Melons can come into contact with bacteria, viruses or parasites at any stage of the food supply chain from production and transport to preparation in private households. Pathogens can survive on the surface of melons and subsequently be transferred from the skin to the flesh when the fruit is cut.
Can you eat too much watermelon?
Watermelon is a splendid source of dietary fiber and water. But, if you eat too much watermelon, it can cause bloating, gas, flatulence, diarrhea, and other such stomach troubles. This is majorly due to the presence of sorbitol, which is a sugar compound, and lycopene, which gives the fruit its bright red color.
What can you do with watermelon peels?
Watermelon rind uses
- Make a smoothie.
- Make pickled watermelon rinds.
- Make fermented watermelon rinds.
- Create watermelon rind candy.
- Make watermelon rind curry.
- Make watermelon rind preserves.
- Go for a watermelon rind gazpacho.
Is watermelon good for men?
Good for prostate protection
Chow down on watermelon, guys — it can help with prostate health and erectile dysfunction, thanks to phytonutrients like lycopene and citrulline. Lycopene — also found in other red fruits and vegetables — plays a role in protecting against prostate cancer.
Does watermelon rind lower BP?
“Because watermelon rind has a diuretic effect, it may be helpful in lowering blood pressure and maintaining proper kidney function,” she says. Watermelon rind is rich in the amino acid L-citrulline, which can also help dilate your blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
Why is my homegrown watermelon white inside?
White flesh in a watermelon can indicate that the watermelon is not yet ripe. These fruits take a long time to ripen and become red, so if you pick the watermelon too early, it will be white inside.
What happens if you eat the white part of a watermelon?
The rind—that white part of the fruit between the pink flesh and tough green skin—is not only edible, but it’s a potent source of nutrients that happen to be totally different than those in watermelon flesh. So, it’s almost like two fruits in one!
Can you eat raw watermelon seeds?
You can eat watermelon seeds raw, sprouted, and roasted. In any form, these seeds are so tasty and healthy. Usually, watermelon seeds are granted nutrition once they are sprouted.
Can you eat the white seeds in watermelon?
When you get a “seedless” watermelon, they’re not actually seedless because the white seeds are in it. The white seeds are also in non-seedless watermelons. So, these are totally safe to eat, and they’d be a hassle to remove.
What is the red part of a watermelon called?
The red or pink part of a watermelon is called the flesh.
What fruit can’t dogs eat?
12 fruits and vegetables that are toxic to dogs
- Grapes and raisins. The first on our list has to be grapes and raisins.
- Avocados.
- Pips, seeds and stones.
- Mushrooms.
- Nuts.
- Unripe tomatoes.
- Onions and garlic.
- Nutmeg.
What fruit is bad for dogs?
Fruit. Steer clear of: Cherries are toxic to cats and dogs, and grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage. Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruit as well as persimmons can cause an upset stomach.