The summer sun is blazing at its peak. In this hot weather nothing seems more appealing than this large fruit with dark green skin which when cut reveals pink or red flesh, for which Mark Twain said: “When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat.  ,

Originating from the famous Kalahari Desert in South Africa around 2000BC, watermelon’s amazing taste and massive health benefits have spurred their growth world wide, with various techniques being employed for their development.

Certain countries are blessed with the availability of watermelons all year round, but in Pakistan it is associated with the summer sun.

Worldwide more than 1,200 varieties of melons are found ranging in weight from less than a pound to more than two hundred pounds, with flesh that is red, orange, yellow or white but it is this red one that is most preferred.

Each cup serving gives you 30g calories and zero fat. It consists of 7.55g sugar and 92g water; hence it is also known as a thirst quencher.

Watermelon is not just delicious in taste but is healthy as well. Fruits are an essential component of a well balanced diet and when you plan to cut down calories you need to pick the right kind of fruits. In that case it is an excellent choice to pick watermelon, as one serving of watermelon provides 22g of carbohydrates, two grams of proteins and one per cent of the daily fibre intake, besides being low on calories and high on nutrients. It not only curbs the sweet craving but also helps in energy production and boost metabolism. Containing 92 per cent water, it provides the body with adequate hydration in summer to make up for the electrolytes that are washed away in perspiration. The high water content gives it fat burning properties.

The fruit contains potassium, vitamin C, B6 and zinc and both essential and non essential amino acids, which adds to its nutritive value, while the seed is also fit for human consumption and is rich in proteins.

A good amount of potassium helps relieve high blood pressure, decreases the risk of hypertension, kidney stones and facilitates a smooth functioning of heart and kidneys. 100g of watermelon provides 170mg potassium.

The disease fighting melons contain large amounts of beta carotene. Melon with red colour flesh is a significant source of an antioxidant called lycopene, which protects against many types of cancers, particularly colon cancer, prostate cancer and heart disease. Being rich in thiamine (vitamin B1) and arginine (amino acid) they help in muscle growth, cure impotence and fight fatigue. Not only that but eating melon also decreases chances of macular degeneration of eyes in old age.

It also contains vitamins A and C, which help reduce the effects of free radicals causing inflammation, general sickness and chronic illnesses like stroke and heart attack. Being rich in calcium, it helps strengthen bones. The presence of Vitamin C and beta carotene is responsible for the synthesis of collagen, an important substance that holds muscles and bones in place. It also helps in alleviating the symptoms and occurrence of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Besides having health benefits watermelon is also used for many other purposes, like making face masks.

——Make a paste of water melon pulp and apply it on your face for 15 minutes, and wash it off. It leaves your skin beautiful and soft. Adding curd to your watermelon pulp paste nourishes your skin.

— A thick paste of watermelon seeds  prepared by mixing ground seeds to hot boiling water can be applied as face mask; the seed’s oil act as a good moisturiser for dry skin.

— A mixture of watermelon and cucumber in equal proportion when applied is a good remedy for sun burn.

— Watermelon acts as a natural moisturiser and tightens your skin pores; you can use watermelon whenever you need a natural face pack.

The seed oil has moisturising properties which makes it valuable for use in baby care and cosmetic products.

Besides the flesh, in the Arab world, salted and roasted watermelon seeds are also consumed as a snack. The outer rind can be used to make pickle.

Combine kiwi, lime juice and watermelon in blender and drink the goodness of watermelon when you don’t have time to eat it.

So how about we beat that heat with some melon in our diet. Rejoice the gift of nature.