Summer is in full swing, and that means it's time to fire up the grill and indulge in the deliciousness of a barbecue. If you're a vegan or vegetarian, you don't have to miss out on the flavors and fun. In fact, plant-based options can be the star of the show! Whether you're hosting a barbecue or attending one as a guest, here are six fantastic vegan and vegetarian ideas to elevate your summer grilling game. 1. Grilled Veggie Skewers: Skewers are a classic barbecue favorite, and they're incredibly versatile for plant-based options. Load up skewers with a colorful medley of veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, onions, and mushrooms. Brush them with a marinade of your choice, grill to perfection, and enjoy the charred and smoky goodness. 2. Plant-based Burgers: The rise of plant-based burgers has revolutionized the vegetarian and vegan barbecue scene. Choose from a wide variety of pre-made veggie burgers or unleash your culinary creativity and make
Watermelon is a very healthy berry.It is by far one of the most powerful,healing fruit out there.This refreshing fruit is soaked with nutrients
and contains about 92% of water. Watermelon is a fruit and a
vegetable because it is a sweet seed
producing plant and the rind is entirely edible.That's amazing right?. Oh yes,it is!.
Most people throw away the water melon rind not knowing it contains plenty of health promoting and body building chlorophyll and even more citrulline than the pink flesh.The black water melon seeds contain iron,zinc,protein and fibre.They are edible and actually quite healthy.
It is important to allow the watermelon to ripen inorder to reap the most nutritional benefits from this refreshing fruit.
producing plant and the rind is entirely edible.That's amazing right?. Oh yes,it is!.
Most people throw away the water melon rind not knowing it contains plenty of health promoting and body building chlorophyll and even more citrulline than the pink flesh.The black water melon seeds contain iron,zinc,protein and fibre.They are edible and actually quite healthy.
It is important to allow the watermelon to ripen inorder to reap the most nutritional benefits from this refreshing fruit.
Health Benefits of Watermelon
Lowers Blood Pressure
The
citrulline found in water melon is converted to arginine in the body.Both
citrulline and arginine help in the production of nitric oxide(Vasodilator)
which helps in the relaxation and dilation of the blood vessels.When the vesels
are dilated,more blood passes through freely thereby lowering the blood
pressure and reducing the risk for stroke and cardiac infarctions.
Also,
carotenoids present in water melon help to prevent the hardening of the
arteries and veins thereby reducing the risk of blood clots and
atherosclerosis.
Water
melon juices reduce the aortic blood pressure and provide cardioprotection to
keep the heart healthy
Relieves
Muscle Soreness
Citrulline
found in water melon helps with the relaxation of smooth muscles,anaerobic
performance enhancement and also relieves muscle sorness.Also, it has the
ability to accelerate the removal of lactic acid and allows for better overall
physical performance.Water melon is highly beneficial for post workout
recovery and pre work out regimes since it allows for more intense training and
faster recovery after each work out.
Promotes Kidney Function
Water melons
have an abundant supply of calcium and potassium which contributes in the
flushing out of toxins in the body’s kidneys and aids in reducing the
concentration of uric acid in the body.
Watermelon’s
high water content induces frequent urination. It helps in cleansing the
kidneys and keeps them functioning properly.Watermelon hydrates the body and
also adds a sweet taste and delicious texture to it.
Anti-Cancer
The lycopene
found in watermelon decreases the prevalence of cancer.It
helps with the regression of cancer by targeting and interrupting cancer
growth, carcinogen metabolism,apoptosis and hormone regulation.
Heart Health
The lycopene which is found in abundance in
watermelon has been shown to be very effective in lowering LDL cholesterol
level which is a strong independent predictor of coronary heart disease which
has caused many death.People
who consume good amount of lycopene from watermelon should expect a significant
decrease in their risk for heart complication.
Prevents Macular Degeneration
The
carotenoid and lycopene found in watermelon prevent premature eye degeneration
and eye diseases.The provitamin A carotenoids in it eliminates reactive
oxidative species and helps our eyes stay healthy. The lycopene and carotenoid
found in water melon helped in the prevention of the vacuolization of the
epithelial cells,leading to better eye health and also lessen the risk for eye
diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma.Watermelons are the perfect remedy for
preventing macular degeneration.
Improves Sexual Function
After
several research, doctors now know that it is the relaxation of the smooth
cavernous veins in the penis that cause an erection not the stimulation.This
para -sympathetic and non cholinergic mediated process requires nitric oxide
which is synthesized from L-arginine by NO-synthase. Several studies have
tested this theory about water melon and its arginine content.Researchers found
that the arginine found in water melon improved sexual functioning in men with
erectile dysfunction.
Asthma
Prevention
People with
asthma have bronchi that are highly sensitive to dry air.Normally,when we
breathe,our nose clears,warms and moisten the air around us.during physical
exrcise,we breathe harder, faster and deeper through our mouths so the air that
enters our lungs is colder and drier than usual.In this case, if an asthmatic
person is exposed to such a cold dry air and inhales through the mouth,such a
person’s lung will swell up, leading to an inability to breathe fully causing
an asthmatic attack.The Vitamin C found in watermelon helps protect the
hyperactive airways of people with exercise induced asthma
Promotes
Digestive Health
Water
melon has both rich water and fiber content and easily promotes regularity for a
healthy digestive tract.One of the most common gastrointestinal problems is constipation,which
is characterizedby a slow gastrointestinal transit, hard stool and difficulty
in passing stool.Eating watermelon can eliminate this unfortunate and
uncomfortable problem. Instead of simply drinking the recommended nine to
thirteen glass of water per day,you can treat yourself to a healthy snack of
watermelon while also promoting your digestive health.
Protects
The Skin From Sun Damage And Aging
The
vitamin C and E found in watermelon are the most important natural antioxidants
for anti-aging benefits because their small molecular weights allow them to
penetrate the skin and induce the production of collagen which is vital for
keeping the skin smooth and healthy.The collagen produced helps protect the
skin from sun damage,skin aging and wrinkles.Remember,protecting your skin begins with
what you put into your body
Aids weight loss
Eating
watermelon aid in the reduction of fat because of its high water content.Also,
it contains high level of citrulline, an amino acid which when processed by our
body is converted into another amino acid called arginine.The more this
conversion occurs,the more the amino acid block the activity of an enzyme
called tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase TNAP and blocking the metabolic
activity of this enzyme help to prevent excess accumulation of fat in fat
cells.
Mucles and
nerve support
Watermelon contain
a great amount of potassium which is highly beneficial for the muscles and
nerves. Potassium helps to determine the degree and frequency with which our
muscles relax and contract.Watermelon is a natural electrolyte. It sends key impulses that influence our heart, muscles and
nerves.
Prevents heat stroke
Watermelon contains about 92% of water, minerals,
nutrients and other compounds.The high amount of water and other hydrating liquids
contained in it helps hydrate the body and also stimulate the release of excess
liquid in the form of sweat, which is our body’s way of cooling us down.
Boosts immune system
Watermelon
contain a hearty amount of vitamin C. It helps the immune system by improving
anti microbial and natural killer cell activities as well as lymphocytes
proliferation which is the type of blood cells that are called for during
infection and illnesses. Adequate daily intake of vitamin C ameliorates
symptoms and shortens the duration of infections such as common cold.
Remember,no part of watermelon should be discarded.From the rind to the pink flesh and to the seed.They are all beneficial to the health
Blessings and Health !
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