But you actually can (and should!) 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.
Can you eat yellow watermelon skin?
The most popular part of the watermelon is the pink flesh, but like its cousin, the cucumber, the whole thing is edible.
Why is my watermelon rind yellow?
That area is called the “field spot” and is probably the best indicator of ripeness and sweetness. Look for a spot that’s yellow in color, which means it’s been ripening on the vine for a long time. A light-colored or white spot means the melon was picked too early. And too early means a fruit that’s fakakta.
What’s yellow watermelon called?
Botanically, yellow watermelons are known as Citrullus lanatus and are part of the Cucurbitaceae family (via Specialty Produce), making this particular fruit a gourd, and a kissing cousin to pumpkins and squashes (via Britannica).
What does watermelon rind do for the body?
They contain beneficial amino acids.
“The rind is also home to a naturally occurring amino acid called L-citrulline,” Wallace says. “Citrulline has been shown to help reduce blood pressure in adults with hypertension3 , as well as boost athletic performance4 .”
Why are some parts of watermelon yellow?
The flesh of watermelons turning yellow is a natural mutation. In fact, the originator of our commercial variety, which comes from Africa, is a yellow to white fleshed fruit. The fruit has a sweeter, honey-like flavor as compared to red fleshed melons, but many of the same nutritional benefits.
Is yellow watermelon healthy?
Nutritionally yellow watermelon is a great snack with only 46 calories per cup. It is high in vitamins A and C, making it good for your immune system and skin health. Yellow watermelon contains more of the antioxidant beta-carotene than red watermelon. Beta-carotene is thought to protect against cancer and eye disease.
Can over ripe watermelon make you sick?
Is Overripe Watermelon Safe to Eat? When a watermelon gets too ripe for its own good, the juicy crisp texture of the flesh can turn gritty and dry. If you cut it open, you might see the flesh actually pulling away from the seeds. If your watermelon is mealy, it’s still safe to eat.
Is yellow watermelon better than red?
Some health experts say the benefits of yellow watermelon are superior to red watermelons. For those of you who want to keep your eyesight healthy, getting the benefits of yellow watermelon is the best choice because of its high vitamin A and beta-carotene content.
Does yellow watermelon taste different?
Despite their color difference, yellow watermelons taste remarkably similar to the red and pink varieties of watermelon. The texture is similarly crisp and juicy. However, some yellow watermelon varieties can be slightly sweeter with a honey-like flavor.
How can you tell when a yellow watermelon is ripe?
“Turn the watermelon over and look at the place where the fruit stood on the ground. If the watermelon is ripe, the ‘belly spot’ will be white or yellow. If you can see the stripes through the belly spot, it may not be ripe.” A smooth rind usually indicates a good fruit.
What is the most nutritious part of watermelon?
rind
It’s true. 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.
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.
Should you eat watermelon rind?
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.
What does an overripe watermelon look like?
An over-ripe melon will have paler pink flesh, more a shell pink than hot pink. The rind may be greener, and the outside will be more splotchy or discolored. If there are any dark blotches, consider the melon over-ripe and choose another one.
Can you get nitrate poisoning from watermelon?
The news is that the watermelons in the country have high levels of nitrate, many times higher than they are. The excess of chemicals in this fruit turns into a toxic substance when it enters the body and causes poisoning. The most common symptoms of watermelon poisoning are dizziness, mood swings and stomach spasms.
What is watermelon rind necrosis?
Watermelon rind necrosis is characterized by the presence of a corky, red to brown layer of dead tissue that occurs on the inside of the rind of affected fruit but that does not extend into the fruit flesh. Early stages of rind necrosis can be noticed as small discolored water soaked areas in the rind.
Does yellow watermelon taste the same as red?
According to the experts at the Watermelon Board, yellow and orange watermelons are generally sweeter than those with pink or red flesh. Seedless watermelons tend to have a crisper texture than those with seeds, they add.
Is yellow watermelon high in sugar?
Of the 12 grams of total carbs in the yellow watermelon, 10 grams come from sugar and 1 gram from fiber. While most of the carbs are in the form of sugar, the yellow watermelon is still considered a healthy source of carbs because of its fiber, vitamin and mineral content.
Is yellow watermelon good for diabetics?
Watermelon is safe for people with diabetes to eat in moderation. However, it is best to consume watermelon and other high GI fruits alongside foods that contain plenty of nutritious fats, fiber, and protein.
What can I do with overripe watermelon?
Another good use of overripe melon is turning it into cold watermelon soup, thanks to the aid of a blender and some herbs. Seasoned with a mild hot sauce like Tobasco, it makes for a lovely light appetizer or summer lunch. You won’t even care that the melon you picked wasn’t the best.