Is a watermelon considered to be a tropical fruit?
Watermelon (Citrullus sp.), a tropical fruit, belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. The flesh is in shades of either red or yellow, and even white. Popular for its sweet and juicy flesh, the fruit is thought to have been first cultivated in Egypt more than 5,000 years ago. Origins and distribution.
Is melon and watermelon the same thing?
Melon and watermelon are two fruits of the same family, the Cucurbitaceae, but are not alike. The watermelon is a giant fruit, that can have a diameter of 2 ft and weigh between 11 and 44 pounds. The melon has a more usual size, 4.4 pounds and a diameter of about 4 inches.
Is a watermelon a fruit, vegetable, or berry?
Watermelon fruit is native to Africa but has since spread worldwide. It belongs to the gourd family and is rich in vitamin A and C. Watermelon fruit is a berry. The botanical name for the berry is pepo. It belongs to the same group as squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, and cantaloupes. Watermelons have sweet juicy flesh that may be red, yellow, or white.
What is the nutritional benefit of watermelon?
- In addition to various trace elements and minerals, watermelon offers a wide range of vitamins that are important for the body.
- In addition, to vitamin A and vitamin C, the melon also contains the important vitamin D and k as well as B vitamins.
- The peel of the watermelon is edible and contains a lot of fiber which ensures a pleasant feeling.
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Is watermelon natural or man made?
They started out as small, hard, bitter fruits, somewhere in Southern or Western Africa. As generations of people selectively planted seeds from fruits that were larger and tastier, they created the sweet, red watermelon we know today. In the process, however, watermelon plants lost much of their genetic diversity.
Is a watermelon genetically modified?
It's also a source of vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B6. Seedless watermelon is not a genetically modified food; it is a result of cross-breeding. The male pollen of a watermelon, containing 22 chromosomes, is crossed with the female watermelon flower, which has been chemically altered to contain 44 chromosomes.
Is watermelon a hybrid fruit?
The answer is yes, a seedless watermelon is a fruit. However, it is in fact a hybrid fruit. Seedless watermelon are the product of cross-breeding a male watermelon pollen with 22 chromosomes per cell, with a female watermelon flower with 44 chromosomes per cell.
What kind of fruit is watermelon?
berryThe fruit is a type of berry known botanically as a pepo. The sweet juicy flesh may be reddish, white, or yellow; flesh colour, shape of the fruit, and thickness of the rind depend on the variety. Watermelon weight varies from 1 to 2 kg (2.5 to 5 pounds) to 20 kg (44 pounds) or more.
Are watermelons injected with anything?
Injected watermelons can have chemicals like nitrate, artificial dye (lead chromate, methanol yellow, Sudan red), carbide, oxytocin, which make it extremely unhealthy for gut health.
Is watermelon healthy to eat?
Watermelon — which can actually be considered a fruit or a vegetable, according to the National Watermelon Promotion Board — is incredibly nutritious, too. Nutritionists say watermelon is low in calories and sugar and chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a great addition to a healthy diet.
Why does watermelon exist?
The origins of watermelon have been traced back to the deserts of southern Africa, where it still grows wild today. The ancestor of the modern watermelon is a tough, drought-tolerant plant prized for its ability to store water for tribes crossing the Kalahari Desert.
Are seedless watermelons real?
Seedless Watermelon vs. Actually, seedless watermelons do have seeds; they're just different from traditional watermelon seeds. The seeds are soft, flexible and white. Seedless watermelons are the result of a lab experiment that took place more than 50 years ago.
Where did watermelon come from?
Background and Aims Watermelons, Citrullus species (Cucurbitaceae), are native to Africa and have been cultivated since ancient times.
Is watermelon full of sugar?
Watermelons are the iconic summer fruit. They may seem like a treat, but they're low in sugar. A whole cup of diced up watermelon has under 10 grams of sugar. A bonus of eating watermelon is it's also a great source of iron.
Can you eat too much watermelon?
Watermelon is a splendid source of dietary fiber and water. But, if you eat too much watermelon, it can cause bloating, gas, flatulence, diarrhea, and other such stomach troubles. This is majorly due to the presence of sorbitol, which is a sugar compound, and lycopene, which gives the fruit its bright red color.
What are the benefits of eating watermelon?
The Top 9 Health Benefits of WatermelonHelps you stay hydrated. ... Packed with nutrients and beneficial plant compounds. ... May have anticancer effects. ... May improve heart health. ... May reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. ... May help prevent macular degeneration. ... May relieve muscle soreness. ... May aid skin health.More items...
What fruit is genetically modified?
PRSV-resistant papaya is the most widely cultivated genetically engineered fruit, followed by Bt eggplant, virus-resistant squash, Arctic® apples, and Pinkglow™ pineapple.
Which watermelon is non GMO?
Since some of you have asked, it should be noted that cube-shaped watermelons are also not genetically modified. Those are just grown in a cube-shaped container. Hybrid fruits such as tangelos and mandarinquats are also not GMOs—they are created with traditional crossbreeding methods.
How did the genetically modified change watermelons?
Scientists cut the male flower at the stem and rub the pollen-producing section against the female flower. When pollinated, it creates a watermelon, which contains the seeds of the seedless variety. So, yes, in this sense, seedless watermelons are genetically modified through a careful process of select breeding.
What foods are genetically modified?
Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, e.g. through the introduction of a gene from a different organism.
Fibers
Watermelon is a poor source of fiber, providing only 0.4 grams per 2/3 cup (100 grams).
Citrulline
Watermelon is the richest known dietary source of the amino acid citrulline. The highest amount is found in the white rind that surrounds the flesh ( 9, 11, 12 ).
Lycopene
Watermelon is the best known fresh source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant responsible for its red color ( 20, 21, 22, 23 ).
Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for chronic disease and premature death ( 25 ).
Reduced Insulin Resistance
Insulin is a vital hormone in your body and involved in blood sugar control.
Allergy
Allergy to watermelon is rare and usually associated with oral-allergy syndrome in individuals who are sensitive to pollen ( 37, 38 ).
FODMAPs
Watermelon contains relatively high amounts of fructose, a type of FODMAP that some people do not fully digest.
Description
The watermelon is an annual that has a prostrate or climbing habit. Stems are up to 3 metres (10 feet) long and new growth has yellow or brown hairs. Leaves are 60 to 200 millimetres ( 2 + 1⁄4 to 7 + 3⁄4 inches) long and 40 to 150 mm ( 1 + 1⁄2 to 6 in) wide. These usually have three lobes that are lobed or doubly lobed.
Taxonomy
The sweet watermelon was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 and given the name Cucurbita citrullus. It was reassigned to the genus Citrullus in 1836, under the replacement name Citrullus vulgaris, by the German botanist Heinrich Adolf Schrader.
History
Evidence of the cultivation of both C. lanatus and C. colocynthis in the Nile Valley has been found from the second millennium BC onward, and seeds of both species have been found at Twelfth Dynasty sites and in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
Cultivation
Watermelons are plants grown in climates from tropical to temperate, needing temperatures higher than about 25 °C (77 °F) to thrive. On a garden scale, seeds are usually sown in pots under cover and transplanted into well-drained sandy loam with a pH between 5.5 and 7, and medium levels of nitrogen.
Production
In 2017, global production of watermelons was 118 million tonnes, with China alone accounting for 67% of the total. Secondary producers included Iran, Turkey, and Brazil.
Food and beverage
Watermelon fruit is 91% water, contains 6% sugars, and is low in fat (table).
Watermelon Benefits for Men
Did you know that watermelon is 92% water? This impeccable combination of water and fiber makes this fruit a complete winner. You can eat an adequate amount of watermelon without worrying about calories and stay hydrated.
Are there any side effects of using watermelon as Viagra?
Not really. However, although antioxidants are exceptional for your overall health, it’s vital to consume them in moderation as high levels of any antioxidant can be harmful.
The final verdict?
If you’re looking for a natural replacement of Viagra, watermelon for erectile dysfunction might do the trick as it is a celebrated fruit for libido.
Asparagus
From the time of the ancient Greek and Romans, asparagus has been used for its diuretic properties. The vegetable’s diuretic effects come from the amino acid asparagine and has been used to treat swelling, rheumatism, and premenstrual water retention.
Beets
Beets are high in potassium, which helps eliminate fluid. (Here's more about why beets are great and how to grow them .) Betanin, which gives beets their color, has been associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein, making beets an anti-inflammatory as well.
Cabbage
Cabbage can help reduce water weight. The popular " cabbage soup diet" deploys the diuretic properties of cabbage, along with its high fiber and water content to support weight loss. The Romans used cabbage for hangovers and to help alcoholics "dry out." Red cabbage is also an anti-inflammatory because it contains anthocyanins.
Celery
Hippocrates recommended celery to eliminate excess fluid. Now scientists have identified that the phthalides in celery contribute to its diuretic effect.
Cranberries
Native Americans identified the diuretic effects of cranberries, using them to treat a number of conditions including scurvy, which they believed was caused by too much salt. Cranberry juice has been used by women worldwide to prevent and treat UTIs and other bladder disorders, although research results have been mixed.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers have sulfur and silicon which increase urination by stimulating the kidneys into better removal of uric acid. Loaded with water and potassium and low in sodium, cucumbers also inhibit the production of nitric acid and inflammatory enzymes, thus reducing swelling. Cucumber slices can be used topically to soothe under-eye puffiness.
Garlic
The same sulfur-based chemical that gives garlic its distinctive smell, allicin, gives it medicinal properties as well. The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research found garlic to be effective as a diuretic. It is also works a potent antioxidant and contributes to the breakdown of fats.
Overview
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a flowering plant species of the Cucurbitaceae family and the name of its edible fruit. A scrambling and trailing vine-like plant, it is a highly cultivated fruit worldwide, with more than 1,000 varieties.
Watermelon is grown in favorable climates from tropical to temperate regions worldwide for its large edible fruit, which is a berry with a hard rind and no intern…
Description
The watermelon is an annual that has a prostrate or climbing habit. Stems are up to 3 metres (10 feet) long and new growth has yellow or brown hairs. Leaves are 60 to 200 millimetres (2+1⁄4 to 7+3⁄4 inches) long and 40 to 150 mm (1+1⁄2 to 6 in) wide. These usually have three lobes that are lobed or doubly lobed. Young growth is densely woolly with yellowish-brown hairs which disappear as the plant ages. Like all but one species in the genus Citrullus, watermelon has bran…
Taxonomy
The sweet watermelon was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 and given the name Cucurbita citrullus. It was reassigned to the genus Citrullus in 1836, under the replacement name Citrullus vulgaris, by the German botanist Heinrich Adolf Schrader. (The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants does not allow names like "Citrullus citrullus".)
The species is further divided into several varieties, of which bitter wooly melon (Citrullus lanatu…
History
Watermelons were originally cultivated for their high water content and were stored to be eaten during dry seasons, not only as a food source, but as a method of storing water. Watermelon seeds were found in the Dead Sea region at the ancient settlements of Bab edh-Dhra and Tel Arad.
Many 5000-year-old wild watermelon seeds (C. lanatus) were discovered at Ua…
Systematics
A melon from the Kordofan region of Sudan – the kordofan melon – may be the progenitor of the modern, domesticated watermelon. The kordofan melon shares with the domestic watermelon loss of the bitterness gene, while maintaining a sweet taste, unlike other wild African varieties from other regions, indicating a common origin, possibly cultivated in the Nile Valley by 4360 BP (before present).
Cultivation
Watermelons are plants grown from tropical to temperate climates, needing temperatures higher than about 25 °C (77 °F) to thrive. On a garden scale, seeds are usually sown in pots under cover and transplanted into well-drained sandy loam with a pH between 5.5 and 7 and medium levels of nitrogen.
Major pests of the watermelon include aphids, fruit flies, and root-knot nematod…
Cultivar groups
A number of cultivar groups have been identified:
(syn. C. lanatus subsp. lanatus var. citroides; C. lanatus var. citroides; C. vulgaris var. citroides)
DNA data reveal that C. lanatus var. citroides Bailey is the same as Thunberg's bitter wooly melon, C. lanatus and also the same as C. amarus Schrad. It is no…
Food and beverage
Watermelon is a sweet, commonly consumed fruit of summer, usually as fresh slices, diced in mixed fruit salads, or as juice. Watermelon juice can be blended with other fruit juices or made into wine.
The seeds have a nutty flavor and can be dried and roasted, or ground into flour. Watermelon rinds may be eaten, but their unappealing flavor may be overcome by pickling, sometimes eaten …