Summer is here and so it’s time to enjoy sweet and juicy watermelons. We just love this scarlet-hued summer fruit; right? It is super hydrating and cools us down in no time. Apart from this, it is also rich in nutrients. According to the book ‘Healing Foods’ by DK Publishing House, citrulline – an important amino acid found in watermelon flesh, can stimulate the production of nitric oxide which regulates blood pressure and increases blood flow. It helps us to detox and fight inflammation in the body. Plus, it’s exceptionally low in calories, which makes the fruit perfect to eat to reduce sugar. But do you know, keeping it in the fridge can take away the goodness from the fruit. You read that right.
We understand, storage Watermelon A very common practice everywhere. And we don’t even deny that cool watermelons taste out of world on hot summer days. But doing so can reduce its nutritional quotient. At least, a study by the USDA says so. Published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, it was found that Watermelon Stored at room temperature refrigerated or provide more nutrients than freshly picked ones.
Read also: 5 side effects of eating too much watermelon
Researchers at the USDA’s South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Lane, Oklahoma, tested several popular varieties of watermelon for 14 days. He stored these melons at 70-, 55- and 41-degrees Fahrenheit. They found that those stored at 70-degrees Fahrenheit had significantly more nutrients than those freshly picked or stored in the refrigerator.
they explain that watermelon Continues to produce some nutrients even after being taken up. Refrigerating fruits slows or stops the whole process. In fact, at refrigerated temperatures they can begin to rot in as little as a week (whereas the typical shelf life of a watermelon is 14 to 21 days).
Keeping the above factors in mind, we suggest keeping your watermelons at room temperature to enjoy its benefits to the fullest. And if you want to enjoy it cold, what about making some delicious and refreshing watermelon popsicles with it?! click here For a delicious 2-ingredient watermelon popsicle recipe.
About Somdutt SahuInvestigator- Somdutt likes to call this himself. In the matter of food, people or places, she only wants to know the unknown. A simple aglio oleo pasta or dal-rice and a good movie can make his day.