the big red

Exfoliator

Dead skin cells sit on your skin giving it a dull sallow appearance while forming a barrier that prevents any skin cream or treatment from penetrating inside. Getting rid of dead skin cells is the best thing you can do for your skin. It reveals a healthy glowing skin plus helps any beauty cream absorb better. Watermelon juice and pulp can both be used to exfoliate skin. Mix a little coarse gram flour with it and use as a scrub. Applied as a pack for 5-10 minutes, watermelon pulp helps rehydrate and exfoliate the skin, giving it a glowing and toned appearance.

Energy booster

The normally short walk home from work becomes the bane of my existence during bristling summer afternoons. Like many people, the heat brings out the worst in me. Within seconds of stepping out of airconditioned environs, the hot assault of nature hits me. My own body turns against me and becomes one with the surroundings, generating just as much heat, giving an impression that it is competing with the sun. My head feels heavy with my hair clinging to the scalp as if seeking refuge from a punishing master. My hands and feet become clammy, crying tears of exasperation and my mood just rapidly spirals downward to foulsville. The only thing that keeps me sane through this ordeal is the thought of the big bowl of sweet, juicy, lusciously red watermelon slices chilling in the fridge waiting for me at home. My pace quickens as the mind finds escape in creating a visual image. Ahhh…..Shangri La, here I come!

As the watermelon consists of 92% water and 8% sugar, nothing beats the satisfaction and hydration that it offers during the summer months. Not only does watermelon taste delicious, it is also chock full of health and beauty benefits. With the amount of vitamins and nutrients lurking inside this monstrous disc, it is hard to go past the benefits it has to offer for our skin and body, whether consumed or used externally. The market is inundated with beauty products like soaps, lip conditioners, shampoos, creams and masks touting watermelon as the key ingredient, and there are many more beauty benefits to be derived by simply eating it daily or using the juice and the pulp at home.

Anti-aging

Anti-aging remedies are doing brisk business today and frantic research is being conducted to address the biggest beauty concern of our time. We all want to stay young, and hence the race to identify and lock away the culprits that cause premature aging continues.

The undisputed leader of this group of felons is the sun. More so in summers when it is in it’s element. Research shows that watermelon can cut the risk of sun-related skin damage by 40%.

It is nature’s richest source of lycopene, replacing tomato to claim the title of ‘king of lycopene’. This antioxidant eats away the free radicals in UV rays that cause sun damage and wrinkles. Lycopene also provides a shield against other diseases, including cancer. Consuming two cups of watermelon daily can restore your skin and give it a youthful appearance by reversing sun damage and reducing blemishes. For a refreshing fresh feel, grate a little watermelon, squeeze out the juice and apply on the face for 10 minutes. Wash with warm water and finish off with splashes of cold water.

Toner

The slightly astringent properties of watermelon make it an excellent skin toner. Used on its own or mixed with honey for dry skin and witch hazel for oily skin, it is refreshing, exfoliating and aids in the tightening of the skin. After cleansing, dip a cotton ball in watermelon juice and wipe over the face and neck for a good toning effect.

Pore tightener

Watermelon contains Vitamin A which helps reduce pore size and the amount of oil secreted by the skin. Vitamin A is also beneficial in maintaining healthy vision and bones. To tighten pores, freeze watermelon juice mixed with crushed mint leaves into ice cubes and rub over the face.

Weight watcher

Watermelon is a low calorie sweet treat which is, at the same time, very filling. It is an excellent alternative to high calorie desserts and treats that result in weight gain. In fact, eating watermelon in place of these foods actually helps you lose weight. It is a natural diuretic which flushes out toxins from the body to help reduce bloating. Starting the day with a bowl of watermelon ensures a good fill of high fibre, no fat and low calories. Watermelon is also a natural multi-vitamin with the goodness of vitamins A, C, B6, iron and potassium all packed in it. With its weight loss abilities, watermelon is becoming a darling of the diet industry.

Watermelon boosts energy levels by up to 23%. It contains vitamin B6 and magnesium to provide energy for the whole day. Watermelon helps faster healing of wounds and combats many skin problems. It helps speed up the growth of healthy skin tissues. Watermelon has also been known to improve sleep. Eating a few slices after dinner can extend the deep stage of sleep, relaxing the brain so it is less sensitive to disruptions. Skin rejuvenates during sleep so this is also aiding a healthy skin.

In short watermelon is a great gift of nature which should be enjoyed and utilized to its full potential.