12-Aug-2010

What a Melon

A Slice of Summer Health

There’s so much to be said for watermelon’s cooling effects. On hot summer days, the water it stores, along with its natural sugars, provide hydration to the body. Besides that, watermelon is a complete food, loaded with a lot more than water: minerals, vitamins, amino acids, lipids and fatty acids, too. You can even roast the seeds for a crunchy protein-rich treat. It’s such a complete food, there are even summer mono-diet fasts that use watermelon as the only meal!

When enjoying your sweet, delicious melon, observe the old adage, “Eat it alone or leave it alone.” Melons break down in the digestive system very rapidly and if eaten along with other foods can create an uncomfortable bloating. There is a trick to help allay these potentially gaseous effects. Sprinkle your slice with black pepper before eating. Sound strange? The pepper’s heat actually makes the melon sweeter. Try it. You just might like it.

Recommended: In Season: Cooking with Vegetables and Fruits