Many consider dealing with the seeds of a watermelon to be a nightmare, but once dried, they are edible and have a high nutritional value. They are full of protein, several B and other vitamins, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, and manganese.
Watermelon seeds make a great snack when they have been dried and roasted and are a great alternative to other unhealthy snack options.
How to Make Roasted Watermelon Seeds
Many people don’t like the taste or texture of raw watermelon seeds, but many enjoy the taste of roasted seeds. Here is how to roast watermelon seeds.
1. Thoroughly rinse and dry the seeds.
2. Soak the seeds overnight.
3. Wait for a few days until they start to sprout.
4. Remove the tougher outer black shells from the seeds, then dry them in an oven or under the sun.
5. Spread the seeds out on a roasting pan.
6. Drizzle a small amount of vegetable or olive oil over them and sprinkle a little sea salt over them.
7. Roast them at 325F (163C) for 15-20 minutes.
8. Allow the roasted watermelon seeds to cool before enjoying them as a healthy snack.
Below are the top 8 health benefits of watermelon seeds:
The seeds contain an amino acid that serves to relax and dilate blood vessels, thus reducing oxidative stress. Furthermore, the magnesium in them helps regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, which directly impacts blood sugar levels.
To reap these benefits, you can boil watermelon seeds to make a watermelon tea.
Directions:
1. Put a handful of watermelon seeds in 4 cups of water.
2. Boil for 45 minutes, keeping the pot covered.
3. Allow it to cool.
4. Drink this concoction every day.
2. Fights Fatigue
These seeds are rich in iron, an important component of hemoglobin that carries oxygen throughout your body to help keep you energized. To add to this, iron also helps your body to convert calories into energy, as well as providing nourishment for your immune system.
3. Keeps the Heart Healthy
Watermelon seeds are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids that help protect against heart attacks and strokes. These fats also help to lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood.
To add to this, the seeds contain a lot of potassium that helps combat heart disease and keeps your heart healthy. Furthermore, the amino acids citrulline and arginine provided by the seeds help to maintain arteries, blood flow, and overall cardiovascular functioning.
These seeds are high in protein that consists of several amino acids. One of these amino acids is arginine. While the body produces some of its own arginine, consuming additional arginine will help regulate blood pressure and even treat coronary heart disease.
The magnesium also helps to regulate blood pressure. In fact, a low level of magnesium in the body will contribute to a high blood pressure.
5. Keeps Muscles Healthy
Watermelon seeds are one of the few food sources that contain L-citrulline, a nutrient that is important for tissue repair and maintaining muscle mass. This compound helps to smooth muscle relaxation, enhances anaerobic performance, and relieves muscle soreness.
Furthermore, the magnesium present in these tiny seeds is important for muscle health. Magnesium stimulates calcium reuptake that can help maintain strong muscles and prevents cramps.
6. Improves Brain Functioning
Watermelon seeds are a great source of folate, also known as folic acid or vitamin B9. Folate is important for proper brain functioning.
To add to this, the healthy fatty acids in the seeds boost the functioning of neurotransmitters, which improves memory and cognitive skills. They are also packed with antioxidants which help protect the brain from free-radical damage.
The vitamin A in these seeds are good for your eyes. In fact, a deficiency of vitamin A can lead to macular degeneration. This antioxidant helps to protect your eyes from other age-related issues, such as dry eyes, optic nerves, and glaucoma.
8. Makes Skin Glow
The vitamin C works as a powerful antioxidant to keep your skin protected from free-radical damage that can accelerate aging. Vitamin C also induces the production of collagen, which is important for smooth and healthy skin. To add to this, these tiny seeds are rich in fatty acids that help keep the skin moisturized.
Source: top10homeremedies
Images: depositphotos
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