The top benefits, nutritional values, Uses and storage of Watermelon Seeds

The top benefits, nutritional values, Uses and storage of Watermelon Seeds

Watermelon seeds is called tarbooj ke beej in hindi. It is one of the nutritious seeds. Scientific name of watermelon seeds is citrullus lanatus. Watermelon seeds are very nutritious. It contains proteins and vitamin B. There are lot of seeds in the watermelon and it comes in two colors- white and black. White seeds are immature seeds and black ones are fully developed seeds. These seeds can be enjoyed in a number of ways.

 Watermelon seeds in its other forms like watermelon seeds oil oe in powdered form can also be enjoyed. They become a truly, wonderfully delicious snack. Watermelon seeds contain linoleic acid which prevents heart attack, stroke and is great for skin. Watermelon seeds has many health benefits like it is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like copper and zinc. It boosts your heart health, keep your blood sugar level under control and increases your immunity. The seeds are high in calories. Health benefits of watermelon seeds are

Growth & Development

Watermelon seeds contain proteins and amino acids which are essential for proper growth and development of the body. It also helps to proper repair of tissues of the body,

Increase Energy Levels

Watermelon seeds are high in calories which are enough to increase your metabolism of the body and increases the energy of it.

Control Blood Sugar

Watermelon seeds contain magnesium which helps to take control of increased blood sugar by lowering it. It also maintains the insulin sensitivity and slows the release of bloodstream  in the body.

Lower LDL Cholesterol Levels

Watermelon seeds contain a high amount of dietary fiber which helps to lower the cholesterol level of the body. Bad cholesterol is bad for our body which is responsible for many diseases like heart attack, atherosclerosis and stroke. Watermelon seeds lowers the level of bad cholesterol and increases the level of good cholesterol in the body.

Improve Immune System

Watermelon seeds contain lot of antioxidants, carotenoids and B-family vitamins which are responsible to minimize the strain of immune system and to improve it. It also helps to reduce the risks of chronic diseases and oxidative stress.

Prevent Osteoporosis

Watermelon seeds contain manganese, iron, potassium and copper which are responsible to strengthen bones. This also reduces the risk of osteoporosis and keep your bones strong.

Lower Blood Pressure

Watermelon seeds help to improve heart health. It reduces the risk of heart attack. Watermelon seeds contain omega-6 fatty acids which help to lower blood pressure. Potassium helps to reduces the strain of cardiovascular system and regulate blood pressure.

Improve Nervous System Function

B-vitamins like  niacin, thiamin, folate, riboflavin and pantothenic acid play a very important role in the human body to keep it healthy. Watermelon seeds contain all these B-vitamins which improves the activity of nervous system and regulates the metabolism. B-vitamins also improve the function between brain, muscles and organs so that they can communicate properly.

Improve Male Fertility

For the male reproductive system zinc is very important. Watermelon contains good amount of zinc and manganese  which is essential to enhance the quality of  sperms in the male body and improve its infertility.

Aids in  Diabetes Treatment

Watermelon seeds can prevent type 2 diabetes which is done by omega-6 fatty acids. Magnesium also lowers the blood sugar in diabetic patients.

Improve Brain Health

Magnesium found in watermelon seeds helps to improve the memory. It also helps to reduce memory lapses that occur with aging. Magnesium also controls alzheimer’s disease.

Enhance Digestive Health

Magnesium activates the enzymes that absorbs the nutrients in the body. That helps the body to break down and digest the food better. Magnesium also helps to produce and transport energy during digestion.

Strengthen Hair 

Watermelon seeds are very beneficial for hair. Because of the magnesium it contain, it helps to promote hair growth and prevents hair damage. Zinc also promotes the recovery of hair follicles making the hair stronger.

Cleanse Skin And Improve Skin Health

Magnesium is a very important nutrient and watermelon seeds contains enough amount of nutrients to meet the person’s needs. Watermelon seeds improves the skin texture, treats skin issues and reduces acnes. It also helps to balance hormones. Magnesium helps to cleanses the skin, reduces wrinkles. Zinc also helps to treat wounds faster and reduces herpes.

Slow Down Aging

Another great benefit of watermelon seeds is it slows down the aging process. Making the person look younger and beautiful. Both magnesium and zinc play an important role in slow down aging by playing a role in cellular repair and cellular aging.

Watermelon seeds can be eaten at any time of day. It goes well with every food item.

Ways to use watermelon seeds

Watermelon seeds  can be used in salads, fried rice, soups, sandwiches. It can also be used in sweet dishes, bread and cookies. Now a days watermelon tea is becoming quite famous.

Uses of watermelon seeds

Watermelon seeds is often used in baby oil because of its moisturizing properties.

 Benefits for the skin

Applying watermelon seeds oil on the face moisturizes skin, removes dullness and prevents acne. It also stops aging process and makes the skin smooth and shiny.

Watermelon seeds for hair:

Using of watermelon seeds on your hair promotes hair growth and strengthens the hair. It also prevents dullness, dryness, breakage of hair and thinning of hair.

How to buy and store watermelon seeds

If stored properly watermelon seeds can be used for 5 years. It should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark and dry place. Always keep the watermelon seeds away from moisture and humidity as it can ruin the seeds. Watermelon seeds are available in watermelon fruits.

Season in which water melon seeds are available

Watermelon seeds are available in june.

How to make watermelon seeds rice  recipe

Ingredients

1 cups Basmati rice, cooked

1/2 cup Watermelon seeds

6 Dry red chillies

1 teaspoon Mustard seeds

1 teaspoon White Urad Dal (Split)

1 sprig Curry leaves

1 tablespoon Raw Peanuts (Moongphali), roasted

1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)

Salt, to taste

1 tablespoon Cooking oil

Directions for Watermelon Seeds Rice Recipe

To begin making Watermelon Seeds Rice Recipe, dry roast the watermelon seeds and dry red chilies until the seeds start sputtering and popping. Turn of the heat and let them cool.

Once cooled, transfer the dry roasted seeds and chilies to the mixie jar. Add salt and grind it to a coarse powder.

Place a kadai on medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to it. Add mustard seeds and allow them to crackle. Once the mustard seeds crackle, add the urad dal, curry leaves and hing.

At this stage, add the peanuts and fry until they turn slightly brown.Add the rice and mix well. Add the coarsely ground watermelon seeds powder. Mix all the ingredients well.

Serve Watermelon Seeds Rice warm or at room temperature with papad as a one dish meal.

You can try this recipe with pumpkin seeds or melon seeds as well.

How to make Watermelon seeds burfi recipe

Ingredients

Watermelon seeds – ¾ cup

Sugar – ½ cup

Water – ¼ cup

Cardamom powder – ¼ tsp

Ghee – 1 tsp + ½ tsp (for greasing tray)

INGREDIENTS FOR GARNISH

Chopped pistachios – 1 tbsp

Saffron strand- few

NOTE

* 1 cup = 160 ml

Method

Grease a tray/ plate with few drops of ghee and keep it aside.

In a blender add watermelon seeds and grind into powder. Do not over grind it as the powder will release oil which will make the powder crumbly.

In a non stick pan add sugar and water. Mix well and allow it to boil in medium flame till reaches 1 string consistency. (one string consistency means when you take the sugar syrup in between your index finger and thumb till should form a string/ thread) It took around 5 to 7 minutes to achieve this consistency.

So when 1 string consistency is achieved put the flame to low and add the watermelon seed powder and cardamom powder. Mix well so that it get incorporated well in sugar syrup. Keep stirring and the mixture will come together leaving the sides of the pan.

When the mixture comes together and leaves the sides of the pan add 1 tsp ghee. Mix well and put off the flame. (It took 4 to 5 minutes to get this consistency in low flame) Now act quickly without any delay as the mixture will harden up in no time. Now transfer the mixture immediately on to the greased tray and flatten it using a spoon. By the time you flatten the mixture will harden.

Now grease a knife with little ghee and slice the burfi in desired shapes and serve with chopped pistachios and saffron strand as garnish!

How to make sugar syrup with one string consistency/ thread consistency

In a pan add sugar and water. Mix well and allow it to boil in medium flame.

When the syrup starts to thicken take little syrup in your index finger, try to stretch it using your thumb which means the syrup stays between your index finger and thumb. If you see single string/ single thread/ only thread without having lot of strings nearby while stretching the sugar syrup is in correct stage, if you find no string allow it to boil for few more seconds and  keep checking till you get it right, it is completely fine to keep checking it when you are a beginner!

Safety profile

Eating excess of watermelon seeds can cause diarrhea. And no other risks have been found out until now of eating watermelon seeds.

 Fun facts about watermelon seeds

  • Over 1,200 varieties of the fruit are grown across the world.
  • In China and Japan, watermelon is a popular gift to bring to a host.
  • Every part of the watermelon is edible – the seeds and even the rinds, though they may be difficult to digest for many people.
  • Watermelon is grown in over 96 countries worldwide.
  • The heaviest watermelon was grown in Tennessee in 2013, and it weighed over 350 pounds.

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