Watermelons reign supreme as the quintessential seasonal treat, beloved by folks of all ages for their refreshing, hydrating properties, particularly cherished during the sweltering summer months. However, selecting the perfect watermelon can be a bit of a gamble, as its quality remains concealed until sliced open.
Several critical factors come into play when scouting for the ideal watermelon, with shape, appearance, and color being paramount. Primarily, a good watermelon should feel weighty in your hands, indicating its juiciness and ripeness. Keep an eye out for the telltale melon spot, a creamy yellow splotch on the underside opposite the stem; a green or white spot signifies an underripe fruit. Additionally, a glossy rind is a sign of freshness.
To further gauge ripeness, give the watermelon a gentle tap; a hollow sound indicates peak readiness for consumption. Opt for specimens with a symmetrical round or oval shape, steering clear of any irregularities.
In the quest for health-conscious eating, distinguishing naturally grown produce from those laced with chemical fertilizers is paramount. Many farmers resort to growth accelerants to expedite melon development, with a distinct crack in the core serving as a telltale sign of synthetic cultivation.
Should you encounter such a rift in a watermelon, it’s indicative of chemical intervention during growth.
The benefits of watermelon extend beyond its flesh to include its oft-discarded seeds, teeming with essential nutrients. Don’t toss those seeds aside, as they boast a wealth of goodness. A mere 150 grams of dried seeds contain a whopping 30.6 grams of protein, fulfilling 61% of your daily protein needs.
These seeds pack a punch of essential amino acids like tryptophan, glutamic acid, and lysine, alongside arginine, renowned for its blood pressure-regulating properties and arterial health benefits. Niacin, a B vitamin crucial for nerve function, digestion, and skin health, abounds in these seeds, alongside thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid.
Minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sodium, copper, manganese, and zinc round out the nutritional profile, bolstering muscle and joint health. As for the watermelon rind, it boasts minimal fat and cholesterol content. Citrulline, abundant in the peel, aids in ammonia detoxification in the liver, combats oxidative stress, promotes vasodilation, and boosts energy levels.
This often-overlooked portion also houses a treasure trove of vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, and B12, alongside pantothenic acid, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium. These vitamins, coupled with antioxidants, fortify the immune system and ward off heart disease, joint inflammation, and various cancers, including colorectal, prostate, breast, and cervical.
Surpassing tomatoes in lycopene content, watermelon emerges as a potent antioxidant, slashing LDL cholesterol levels and safeguarding against cardiovascular ailments, cataracts, and osteoporosis.
Mariah Carey suffers unimaginable blow as mother and sister pass away on same “tragic” day
Superstar Mariah Carey disclosed that her mother, Patricia Carey, and sister, Alison Carey, died on the same day, causing an unimaginable sadness.
The Grammy Award-winning musician confirmed that two of her close relatives had passed away over the weekend in a message she sent.
Carey said, “I lost my mother this past weekend, and it broke my heart,” according to PEOPLE.
“Unfortunately, my sister passed away on the same day due to a tragic turn of events.”
It goes without saying that going through such a deep loss is an almost unequaled experience, but Carey did thank God she was able to spend time with her mother before she passed away.
The singer of All I Want For Christmas expressed gratitude for having spent the final week of her life with her mother.
“During this impossible time, I appreciate everyone’s love, support, and respect for my privacy.”
The causes of mother Patricia’s and sister Alison’s deaths remain unknown as of the time of writing. Prior to having daughters Alison and Mariah and son Morgan with Alfred Roy Carey, Patricia was a Juilliard-trained opera singer and voice instructor. When Mariah was three years old, her parents got divorced.
The We Belong Together hitmaker and her mother reportedly had a tumultuous relationship, according to PEOPLE.
“Like many aspects of my life, my journey with my mother has been full of contradictions and competing realities,” Mariah Carey said in her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. It’s always been a rainbow of feelings rather than just black and white.
Also strained was the singer’s relationship with Alison, at least as of the release of her previously mentioned memoir. Carey stated that it was “emotionally and physically safer for me not to have any contact” with her siblings in the book’s pages.
We are sending Mariah Carey our love and strength. Coping with the death of a loved one is really tough, but having two die away on the same day?
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