Things You Didn’t Know About Watermelon

It has more lycopene than raw tomatoes

In just one cup, watermelon has 1.5 times the stuff than a large fresh tomato, 6 milligrams compared to 4 milligrams, according to the USDA. That matters because lycopene is thought to act as a super antioxidant, stopping free radicals from damaging your cells and messing with your immune system. Some research even suggests that lycopene, typically found in red fruits and vegetables, may help fight heart disease and several types of cancer.

The juice may relieve muscle soreness

A Spanish study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that drinking watermelon juice can actually be quite soothing after a grueling workout. Athletes who consumed a little more than 16 ounces an hour before exercise had less muscle soreness and a lower heart rate within a day. That may be because watermelon contains a natural substance called citrulline that’s been tied to improved artery function and lower blood pressure. In fact, its ability to relax the blood vessels led Texas A&M University researchers to say watermelon has Viagra-like effects. But you’ll need to look beyond the pink flesh if you really want to load up on citrulline—it’s concentrated most in the rind. If that’s not your thing, you can always save it for pickling or preserving later, Sass says.

It’s a fruit AND a vegetable

Talk about an overachiever. Like most fruits, watermelon is the product of a seed-producing plant and has a signature sweet taste. But it can be traced back to the squash, pumpkin, and cucumber family known as Cucurbitaceae. Remember how you can eat the rind? The dual nature of watermelon makes it all edible, so there’s no excuse to leave any part behind.

It’s packed with, well, water

Now this is a food with some serious hydration power. Watermelon is 91.5% water, according to the USDA. That’s a big deal seeing as how being dehydrated is bad for your health. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that women with even mild dehydration experienced headaches, poor concentration, fatigue, and worse moods. More reason to whip up some watermelon recipes, stat.

There’s a yellow variety

It’s hard to believe there’s a watermelon that’s NOT pink on the inside, but there’s another variety, known as Yellow Crimson, has a sunny interior and the flesh has a sweeter, honey-like taste. Thing is, the two are nearly identical on the outside, so unless you’re reading the signs at your grocery store or farmers’ market, it can be hard to tell which is which. If you want the regular pink watermelon, ask for a Crimson Sweet.

Add this healthy, delicious fruit to you water and enjoy a Fruit Infused Water in your Infuser Water Bottle ! 

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Warning Signs You Could Be Dehydrated ...

Be careful if you ever experience this simple signs that could indicate you’re dehydrated:

• You’re thirsty
• Your skin and mouth are dry
• You have a headache
• You’re dizzy or lightheaded
• Your urine is dark yellow
• You feel sluggish and foggy brained
• You’re constipated
• You constantly crave snacks and sugar
• In extreme cases, you might experience confusion, palpitations, fainting, weakness, decreased urination and in severe cases, seizures. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

When you're dehydrated, you lose sugar and salts as well as water. Drinking a rehydration solution will enable you to re-establish the right balance of body fluids. The solution should contain a mixture of potassium and sodium salts, as well as glucose or starch.

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More Great Reasons To Add Chia Seeds To Your Diet !

 

Mayans used chia seeds as a staple of their everyday diets, alongside corn and beans. “Chia” is the Mayan word for strength, and these ancient peoples understood the important health benefits of these seeds. 

 

Here are just 5 of the various reasons you should add 

this super food to your diet today:

1. Pack in your fiber. 

The American Dietetic Association recommends 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day, 

yet most people only consume about half of that. 

Chia seeds deliver almost 50% of your necessary daily intake, 

with 11 grams of fiber per ounce. Fiber is necessary for ultimate health, 

but especially for digestion and weight loss.

2. Trim the fat. 

Chia seeds absorb up to 12 times their weight and expand in your stomach, 

making you feel full and curbing your appetite. 

Chia seeds help reduce your caloric intake by filling you up and helping lower

 the energy density of certain foods — ultimately, assisting greatly in weight loss.

3. Get your omega-3s. 

Chia seeds are a concentrated sources of omega-3 fatty acids, 

and they actually have more omega-3s than salmon. 

Omega-3s are critical for brain health, 

and chia contains five grams per one ounce serving.

4. Build your bones. 

One ounce of chia seeds has 18 percent of the recommended daily intake of calcium. 

Chia seeds can help promote better bone and oral health.

5. Boost heart health.

Studies have shown that chia seeds can improve blood pressure and 

increase healthy cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol. 

Chia seeds can help you maintain a healthy heart — a crucial element of your health.

Do you know about Liquid Diet?

This kind of diet should be a short-term thing (a few days to a week at the very most) because it is difficult to get all the nutrients your body needs from fluids.

Liquid diets can be used for weight loss, they are very easy to follow, as long as you have the willpower to avoid solid food. There are two basic types of liquid diets, the clear liquid diet and the full liquid diet. 

The difference is that on full liquid diet, there is a bit more leeway with slightly more substantial liquids like oatmeal and pureed foods. A modified liquid diet, in which followers use premade diet shakes as one or two of their daily meals and supplement with solid snacks and a third solid meal, can be used for a longer term because the body receives additional nutrients from the variety of solid foods.

Liquid Diet Plan
It consists almost entirely of fluids. It is not meant to be a "lifestyle change," or something you take up for the rest of your life, like healthful eating habits. Rather, it should only be done for a few days at a time as your body cannot sustain itself over the long term on a few different liquids alone.

Obese people undergoing bariatric surgery may be put on the liquid diet for a long time periods in order to help their gastrointestinal tract adjust to the surgery, in medical purposes. 

Liquid Diet Drinks
Depending on the type of liquid diet you follow, you are typically allowed different drinks. If your doctor puts you on a liquid diet, however, drink only what he or she recommends.


Generally, on a clear liquid diet, you need to stick to transparent fluids. Sample foods include:

• Clear soup broths
• Clear fruit juices
• Clear carbonated beverages
• Coffee
• Tea
• Popsicles
• Gelatin

On the full liquid diet, you can have thicker foods with a bit more substance, such as: 

• Milk
• Ice cream
• Pudding
• Cream soups
• Oatmeal
• Cream of wheat
• Honey
• Pureed vegetables

Many people also follow a modified liquid diet in which they use meal-replacement shakes or protein powders for one to two meals per day and consume one regular solid-food meal. This can help stimulate weight loss by consuming fewer calories while allowing the third solid meal to replenish nutrients that are often lacking from diet drinks. 

And, if you're planning to start a liquid diet on your own, it's a good idea to discuss it with your doctor first so that he or she can be notify you of any potential health risks.