February 21, 2014 - "The Real Truth about Watermelons"

Good morning to you all. It's great to round out the week with warmer temps here and the smell of spring is in the air. I had someone introduce me to the small, baby watermelons yesterday and I about flipped out. Where have I been? Many of you who have traveled with me for many years know that I am a freak about that fruit. I could eat it everyday and throughout the day and pronounce, "THIS is a good day!" So I did some research last night to see if I was running this fascination on taste alone and was impressed to discover so many wonderful benefits. The following article comes from National Geographic Daily News. The link is www.nationalgeographic.com I KNEW I loved this fruit - but now I love it more! I always say, "some people shop for shoes - I shop for watermelons." God's Word teaches in James 1:17 that every good and perfect gift comes from above and in my heart watermelon is both. :) (that is of course a stretch, but I know God loves me and knows I never want to use His Word wrongly) Anyway...my favorite fruit is back at home and I AM A HAPPY GIRL! I pray that your weekend be filled with laughter, hope, encouragement and the confidence we have in knowing Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. Let's chat Monday. PK Five Reasons To Eat Watermelons 1. It soothes sore muscles. According to a new study in the Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry, drinking watermelon juice before a hard workout helped reduce athletes' heart rate and next-day muscle soreness. That's because watermelon is rich in an amino acid called L-citrulline, which the body converts to L-arginine, an essential amino acid that helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation. The study's seven participants, all men, were given 17 ounces (500 mL) of either natural watermelon juice, watermelon juice enriched with additional citrulline, or a placebo drink an hour before their workouts. Interestingly, the natural juice was just as effective as the enriched juice. The researchers also determined that intestinal cells can absorb more citrulline from watermelon juice than from citrulline supplements, especially when the juice is unpasteurized. 2. It helps heart health. Postmenopausal women experienced improved cardiovascular healthafter six weeks of taking commercially available watermelon extract supplements containing citrulline and arginine, according to a study published earlier this year by Florida State University physiologist Arturo Figueroa. And in a 2012 study—also led by Figueroa—such supplements helped alleviate high blood pressure in obese, middle-aged adults. (Not surprisingly, he's received two grants from the Watermelon Promotion Board.) 3. It could be a natural Viagra. Improved circulation can benefit more than just the heart, as at least one watermelon researcher has pointed out. But you'd probably have to eat an awful lot to achieve the desired effect--and eating too much could cause unfortunate side effects, since watermelon has long had areputation as a natural diuretic. 4. It's rich in vitamins and minerals, but low in calories. Given its name, you might assume the fruit has little nutritional value—and it is more than 90 percent water. But a 10-ounce (300-mL) wedge of watermelon packs in about one-third of the recommended daily value of vitamins A and C, as well as a modest amount of potassium (9 percent of the daily value). 5. It could even combat cancer. Watermelon is among the best dietary sources of lycopene, an antioxidant linked to both the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer, although scientists are still investigating the details of that connection.