The tough outer layer of a watermelon is called the rind. It is usually green on the outside and turns white on the inside before the red and pink flesh show through. This rind is much harder and less juicy than the fruit it protects, but contrary to what many people think, it is completely edible. But just biting the rind of a watermelon might not be the best or most tasty way to enjoy this part of the fruit.
This fruit’s rind has a lot of the nutrients found in the rest of the fruit, but most people just throw the rind away without giving it a second thought. Not only do watermelon rinds have all the same nutrients as the juicy fruit, but some antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and active ingredients are even more concentrated in the rinds. This tough rind is low in calories but high in many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, potassium, and zinc. Chlorophyll, citrulline, lycopene, amino acids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids are all found in the rind of a watermelon.
Nutritional facts of Watermelon Back (Rind)
Citrulline is an essential amino acid found in the rind of watermelon. It controls how the heart, circulatory system, and immune system work. The watermelon skin also has these other nutrients:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Carbohydrates
This shows how healthy the part of the fruit we used to throw away was. Read below to find out how the rind of a watermelon can help your health.
7 Health Benefits of Watermelon Back (Rind)
Some of the most important health benefits of watermelon rind are that it can make your skin look better, strengthen your immune system, lower your blood pressure, help you lose weight, and make sure you have a safe pregnancy.
1. It improves skin care
With a good amount of lycopene and other flavonoids, the rind of this fruit is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants can help fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which makes wrinkles, spots, and age spots less noticeable as you age.
2. It helps in regulating blood pressure
This rind has a surprising amount of potassium. Potassium is a vasodilator, which means it helps blood vessels and arteries relax and work better. This can lower your risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, strokes, and coronary heart diseases.
3. It boost immune system
With more than 30% of your daily vitamin C in a single serving (1 cup), this rind can give your immune system a big boost. This is because vitamin C helps to stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are the body’s first line of defense against infections and foreign pathogens.
4. It promote weight loss
This non-traditional snack is low in calories and high in fiber, which can help you lose weight. This can help you feel full and also speed up your metabolism, which can help you burn more fat while you sleep and lose some of those extra pounds.
5. It protect pregnancy
Some studies have shown that the high potassium content and natural sugars in this rind can help reduce morning sickness and some of the swelling that comes with pregnancy.
6. It improve libido
This rind is thought to improve sexual performance because it constricts blood vessels. This lets more blood flow to your intimate areas, which makes you and your partner more sexually active.
7. It prevent chronic diseases
This rind contains lycopene and citrulline, which can help neutralize free radicals before they change the DNA of cells and cause chronic disease.
Side effects of Watermelon Back (Rind)
- It is possible to suffer damage to both the spleen and the stomach if you ingest it in large quantities. It is possible for this to lead to diarrhea, dysfunction in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as other disorders.
- Patients who have moisture and coldness in their stomach and spleen should not use this.
How to Eat Watermelon Back
Here are some easy ways to incorporate watermelon into your diet and make it a regular part of your eating routine.
- Watermelon rind juice: you can blend the watermelon rinds and drink it like a smoothie.
- Eat raw: you can wash the watermelon rinds and eat it raw, just like a cucumber.
- Sliced in salads: you can slice the watermelon rinds into small pieces and add it to your salad and coleslaws.
Conclusion
You are now aware of the numerous beneficial impacts that eating watermelon rinds or backs can have on one’s health. Therefore, rather than tossing them away, you need to give some thought to the possibility of consuming them. Watermelon rinds have been shown to increase libido, improve workout performance, and lower blood pressure in humans.
