Thirst quenching, sweet, cooling and delicious. Yes, that’s the watermelon for you. Come summer and many of us automatically crave for this fruit. The watermelon is packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature and is an excellent source of vitamin A, notably through its concentration of beta-carotene. Pink
watermelon is also a source of the potent carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene. These powerful antioxidants have the ability to neutralise free radicals, which are substances in the body that can cause a great deal of damage. Antioxidants oxidise the cholesterol thereby preventing heart attacks or strokes.
Red watermelon and its green skin are excellent for cancer patients as it has a higher amount of lycopene and antioxidants than tomatoes. The whitish green part of the watermelon contains the highest levels of minerals and chlorophyll. In fact, it is a dieter’s delight.
The writer is a Mumbai-based nutritionist