Latest news with #watermelon
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The Health Benefits of Watermelon—and How to Enjoy Every Bite
Key Points Watermelon is a refreshing summer fruit that helps keep you hydrated, supports a healthy heart, and promotes healthy skin. Thanks to its high water content and low calories, watermelon is a smart and satisfying choice for weight control. You can enjoy watermelon in many fun ways—eat it plain, toss it in salads, or blend it into cool prepping delicious, nutritious dishes for picnics, backyard parties, and warm-weather meals, consider the health benefits of watermelon. Sliced into huge hunks, whirred into juice, or garnished with herbs, this sweet, refreshing fruit is always a crowdpleaser—so the fact that it's also plenty good for you is somewhat serendipitous. We spoke with nutrition experts to learn more about this marvelous melon, as well as the best ways to enjoy Our Expert Micah Siva, RD, recipe writer, and author of the cookbook Nosh: Plant-Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine Susan Greeley, RDN, and instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education's New York City campusRelated: 9 of the Best Fruits to Eat, According to Nutritionists The Health Benefits of Watermelon Summertime is all about the messy joys of ripe peaches and nectarines, cherries and berries, and melons, including, of course, luscious watermelon, that quintessential treat we crave all season long. But watermelon is more than just a pretty pink snack. Packed with nutrients, it's a thirst-quencher that provides much-needed relief when the mercury climbs. The Water in Watermelon In hot weather, when dehydration is a key concern, watermelon works wonders. "Watermelons are roughly 92 percent water, making them a great source of hydration," says Micah Siva, RD, recipe writer, and author of the cookbook Nosh: Plant-Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine. "Watermelon is one of my favorite 'high-water content food' recommendations," agrees Susan Greeley, RDN, and instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education's New York City campus. Mineral bonus: With that substantial dose of water, says Greeley, you're also consuming important minerals, like potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Feeling satiated: Watermelon's weighty water mass can be a weight-loss and weight-management secret weapon, too. "For those who are looking for more interesting, refreshing hydration options without adding many calories, watermelon and watermelon juice are great choices," Greeley says. According to the USDA Nutrition Database, one cup of diced watermelon has about 46 calories. "Compared to other fruits, watermelon is a lower calorie option that can keep you satisfied thanks to the high water content," says Siva. Skin and Immune Health Watermelon is loaded with vitamins A and C, antioxidants that play a role in skin and immune health, Siva says, noting that a hydrated state also promotes healthy skin and supports digestion. Heart Health and More While watermelon's fiber content is relatively small, about 0.4 grams in 2/3 cup, its other nutrients still make it a nutritional keeper. "Watermelon juice is a good source of compounds such as arginine, citrulline, and lycopene," Greeley says. "These compounds are known to be cardioprotective." L-citrulline: Primarily found in watermelon, this amino acid has been shown to enhance athletic performance. "It is most concentrated in the white rind," says Greeley. Arginine: In the body, citrulline is metabolized into the essential amino acid arginine. It's crucial for nitric oxide synthesis, a molecule that regulates vascular tone, Greeley notes. Lycopene: "Similar to tomatoes, watermelon contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant," Siva says. Watermelon has about 40 percent more of this phytochemical than red tomatoes. (Other sources of this naturally occurring red pigment include pink and red grapefruit, and guavas.) "Lycopene may improve lipids and blood pressure and is protective against certain cancers," Greeley says. Whole Fruit vs. Juiced As noted, watermelon is low in fiber, so when it's juiced, you may lose some of what fiber there is; though Greeley says it retains enough amino acids and antioxidants to be beneficial. Low-fiber impact: "The largest thing to watch out for is the lack of fiber in juice, which can speed up digestion and impact your blood sugars faster than naturally occurring sugars with fiber in tow," Siva says. If you drink a lot of watermelon juice, she explains, it can become a high-sugar drink. Alternatives: Our experts counteract the sugar overload in a few ways. "I like to add half watermelon juice and half soda water to a glass with a spritz of lime juice for a refreshing mocktail," Siva says. And Greeley has her workaround: Instead of juicing, she says a better option is blending the pulp, which retains many of the solids. How to Eat Watermelon Bite for bite, slice after slice, watermelon is incredible all on its own and that's the way most of use enjoy it. It also makes a refreshing addition to culinary creations. "There's no limit to how it can be used—even the rind can be pickled and eaten," Greeley says. (The seeds are also edible; roast them as you would pumpkin seeds.) Here's how to make the most of watermelon's crisp, sweet flesh: Salted or spiced: Greeley takes chilled watermelon to unexpected places with a few simple tweaks. "Try fresh, ice-cold watermelon with a pinch of salt or Tajin for an added flavor punch," she suggests, referring to the Mexican seasoning made with mild chili peppers, lime, and salt. With herbs: She also cuts it into large chunks and serves it with fresh chopped mint or basil. Salads: "I love making a grilled watermelon salad with feta, mint, red onions, and lemon juice," Siva says. "I also add it to my Greek salads (yum)." Toss together our Watermelon Salad With Feta and Basil, or follow Siva's cue and add sweet chunks to our Greek Mezze Salad. Salsas: Watermelon perks up salsas, too. Try mixing diced melon with lime juice, sliced chiles, and cilantro, and serve it with our Broiled Shrimp Tacos. Gazpacho: Add watermelon chunks to our no-cook Gazpacho—it's a delightful way to double up on lycopene. Slushies: Siva freezes any leftover watermelon on hand and blends it with ice, water, and lime juice for sweet slushies. Or combine similar ingredients for our Watermelon-Lime Coolers. Related: How to Eat Watermelon 20 Delicious Ways—Rinds, Seeds, and All Read the original article on Martha Stewart
CTV News
7 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Exploding watermelons: Montrealer surprised after fruit explodes in heat
A Montrealer was surprised after a watermelon he purchased exploded on his kitchen counter. As Montrealers find ways to keep cool during this intense heat wave, a warning – keep a close eye on your watermelons. One CTV viewer wrote in to say his newly purchased watermelon exploded on his kitchen counter just hours after he brought it home. 'It's actually a very natural process of fermentation, ' said Sylvain Charlebois, a food industry expert and visiting professor at McGill University. 'Sugar gets converted into gas inside the watermelon when it gets really, really hot, especially in the summer,' he said, noting that it's actually not that uncommon to see foam oozing from a watermelon, or for it to actually explode if too much pressure builds up inside the thick peel. exploding watermelon An exploded watermelon. (Submitted photo) 'You can easily make a natural bomb out of it,' Charlebois said, 'because it's so tight and the gas will stay inside.' The fermentation process can start if the watermelon is left inside a hot car for too long, or if it's over 30 degrees inside your house, explained Charlebois. But, he adds, it's also important to check watermelons in the store for bumps or dents – signs it may have already started to ferment. 'Sometimes there's a breach in the cold chain which could actually trigger the process of fermentation prematurely,' Charlebois said. Watermelons are supposed to be transported in refrigerated trucks cooled to three degrees Celsius, but sometimes unreported mechanical failures can expose the melons to prolonged extreme heat without the grocers ever knowing. 'By the time the product gets to the store,' Charlebois said, 'it's already too late.' According to Charlebois, that's most likely the reason why the watermelon in the picture sent in by our anonymous viewer exploded. Watermelons that are showing signs of fermentation should not be eaten. Instead, Charlebois recommends taking it back to the store for a refund.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Video: Dog & Toddler's Watermelon Eating Contest Ends How It's Supposed To
There's nothing more delightful than seeing a dog and a toddler having fun together, and sometimes, a little healthy competition between the two is just a treat for the eyes. This charming Golden Retriever named Hudson and his adorable human sibling, a toddler, took part in a watermelon eating competition, which is perfect for summertime. And the result turns out to be as expected. The dog parent captured the entire moment and shared the video on Instagram through the canine's official account @hudsonbegood on July 5. The clip has received a lot of positive attention from people, racking over 43K views at the time of writing. A video on Instagram featured a Golden Retriever named Hudson and a toddler taking part in a fun watermelon eating competition. The video will lighten up anyone's day. In the caption of the post, the human parent of the fur baby expressed their views on the result of the friendly competition. They penned, 'Everyone's a winner in this house.' They further added, '(Even though Hudson was the real winner).' The Instagram video started by giving viewers a closer look at both the Golden Retriever and the toddler. They were sitting at a table in the shade of a cute umbrella. Both of them appeared to be gearing up for the competition. Soon, they were presented with a bowl of watermelons. Each of them had to finish eating a piece of watermelon. The competition was to see who was the quickest to finish the piece. In the meantime, the text on the clip read the question, 'Who wins a watermelon eating contest a toddler or golden retriever?' As soon as the contest began, viewers could see the dog slowly eating the watermelon piece, but with big bites. Meanwhile, the toddler tried to eat it as quickly as possible, but their bite size was quite small, as expected. The whole contest made up for a very joyous event. In the comment section of the video, one person praised it by writing, 'This is the cutest!' 'So close! But there's something about dogs and watermelon,' added another Instagram user. The post Video: Dog & Toddler's Watermelon Eating Contest Ends How It's Supposed To appeared first on DogTime.
Times
08-06-2025
- Times
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa review: Singapore's only beachfront resort
With kayaks bobbing on the teal waters of the South China Sea and peacocks strutting along shortbread-coloured sands; it's hard to believe you're 20 minutes from Singapore's futuristic skyscrapers. An oldie but a goodie, this seaside resort and its whitewashed block of 454 rooms — with balconies and forest-chic decor — has occupied a prime position at the western end of Siloso beach on Sentosa Island since the 1990s. The lively beach — and Shangri-La's private section of it — has undeniable draw, but this place also shines when it comes to keeping families happy, with direct-to-lounger beach bar bites, splash and slide zones, and a roving high-energy 'fun team' who cheer children through walk-on-water challenges, and deliver chilled watermelon slices to those who prefer to stay horizontal. Staff are full of energy and enthusiasm and have plenty of recommendations for what to see and do nearby to make the most of the seaside locale. At busy mealtimes, restaurant service is good, if a little more laid-back. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 8/10Calming bedrooms are a pleasant retreat from the hubbub of the Noughties-soundtracked pool, bringing the resort's foliage-rich surrounds inside with vine-patterned carpets, lotus flower triptych artwork, blonde wood, fern-coloured cushions and cream-on-white pinstripe linens. On one side, hill-view rooms peek into tangles of verdant canopy; on the other, watery vistas vary. Lower levels look out to the freeform pool, surrounded by palms; floors six and up add an ocean glimpse; the 10th and 11th floors afford full-glitter seascapes. All rooms have balconies, apart from the ground-floor rooms, which spill straight into the garden where orioles perch on birds of paradise stems. A design quirk means that the bathrooms of the smallest rooms (Superior Hill View and Deluxe Sea View) have a tub, while some larger rooms come with a shower. Higher category rooms have 8/10 Nasi goreng? Check. Three-egg omelette? Check. Chefs whipping up nest-shaped appam topped with coconut? Check. The sprawling third-floor restaurant Silver Shell Café serves a huge array of global cuisine from breakfast through to dinner. Most guests opt for the buffet, and given the satay station, noodle bar and patisserie lineup (mango cream puffs, pandan chiffon and red velvet cake) it's unlikely they feel hard done by. Just in case, an additional selection of dishes, which changes each evening, is put on at dinner; perhaps Singaporean hawker fare one night, a seafood focus the next. Children have heaps of choice (tomato pasta, chicken fried rice, frog-shaped kaya buns) and will undoubtedly angle for a stop at the cotton candy stand. It's the only sit-in restaurant space and breakfasts get busy; to manage the masses at its busiest (queues to get in can reach half an hour), staff offer coffee, fruit juice and balloon sculpting while you wait. For straight-to-lounger dining, passionfruit mint sodas, gelato macarons and wagyu burgers can be ordered via QR code from Siloso Beach Bar, and there's also the Bubble Bar for the likes of raspberry cosmopolitans topped with dry ice. • More great hotels in Singapore• Best serviced apartments in Singapore Score 9/10The sizeable pool is pretty, surrounded by frangipani and flame trees and soundtracked by that Noughties playlist. It is divided into three sections: a shallow end for kids, a deeper family section, and an adults-only lap portion, bookended by bubbling whirlpools. The atmosphere is one of high-energy high jinks, thanks to free activities including bingo, face painting and water polo for little ones, and aqua aerobics for adults. Three separate splash zones with jets and waterslides, decorated with monkey sculptures, are perfect for children, all under a shaded canopy. Kayaks, pedalos and SUP boards are available from the beachside Sea Sports Centre and children (aged 5-12) can play all day at the Cool Zone, colouring, crafting and doing sports led by a watchful, charming team (under-fives have a play area, but must be accompanied). Parents can use the gym, or wander along a pillared path to Chi, the Spa for aloe wraps and stress-busting back massages. Days can be topped and tailed with sunrise yoga and — after apricot-hued sunsets — barefoot beach cinema. Score 9/10Sentosa is a small island and it's only half an hour's drive from the resort to Singapore's city centre. On the doorstep, Siloso beach has a party-meets-adventure thrills feel, with zip lines flying above the water and buzzy beach bars. Bungee jumping, blend-your-own perfume at Scentopia, and Trapizza restaurant's burnt tomato and buffalo mozzarella pinsas are all a short stroll along the sands. Siloso Point cable car station is also close by for sky-high rides, as is the Imbiah Trail, where the local firm Untamed Paths runs night safaris to spot owls and glow-in-the-dark scorpions. An e-powered monorail and beach shuttles make reaching all the major attractions a breeze — try Beach Station's shops, the walkable light, sound and scent trail at Sensoryscape, and Resorts World's theme parks. Family-friendly Palawan beach is a ten-minute shuttle away; here you'll find HyperDrive — a 308m e-karting track which feels like playing real-life Mario Kart — and beach club +Twelve, which does mean mango margaritas at the swim-up pool. Price room-only doubles from £227Restaurant mains from £11Family-friendly YAccessible Y Ianthe Butt was a guest of Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa ( • Best affordable hotels in Singapore• Best things to do in Singapore
Free Malaysia Today
06-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Vendors profit as heatwave sends watermelon sales soaring
Vendors in states such as Kelantan are seeing a surge in demand for watermelon as temperatures soar past 35°C. (Bernama pic) KOTA BHARU : The hot weather that has hit the country in recent weeks has not only made people thirsty – it has also doubled the demand for juicy watermelon in states such as Kelantan. Vendor Yushairan Hashim said watermelon juice is now the top choice among customers who want to quench their thirst or soothe their throats, despite the price of the fruit reaching RM3.50/kg. 'For the past three weeks, the demand for watermelon has been extraordinary at our second stall here, surpassing that for other fruits. 'For several days, I had to increase my stock to 15 metric tonnes to meet high customer demand,' the vendor in Kampung Padang Pak Omar, Selising told Bernama recently. To ensure uninterrupted supply given that the harvest in Kelantan has been depleted, he procures watermelon from Johor, Perak, and several other states. Yushairan predicts that the high demand will continue throughout this hot season, which is expected to end sometime in September. 'For watermelon vendors, this is a much-anticipated period. Better profits this season can cover losses during the previous period of oversupply, which led to dumping and price drops,' said the 33-year-old, who started his fruit business three years ago. A worker at his stall, Maziaton Abdullah, added that she has no problem catering to customers, some of whom start arriving as early as 8am. 'The school-holiday and wedding season has also contributed to a surge in sales. Some customers buy hundreds of kg of watermelons for their events,' the 52-year-old said. On Tuesday, the meteorological department reported that six districts across Perak, Kelantan and Kedah were at Level 1 (alert) following daily temperatures of between 35°C and 37°C.
