Dietician advises Nigerians to consume watermelon

A dietician at the Garki Hospital, Abuja, Ms Yemisi Olowookere, on Thursday said that consumption of watermelon was ideal for the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that watermelon contained potassium and was very helpful in cleaning or washing off the toxic deposits in kidneys. She said watermelon was also helpful in reducing concentration of uric acid in the blood, thereby reducing the chances of kidney damages and formation of renal calculi in it. ``Renal calculi is a common cause of blood in the urine and pain in the abdomen, flank or groin. ``Watermelon, being high in water content, induces frequent urinating, which is again helpful for cleaning of kidneys and the anti oxidants present ensure good health of kidneys. ``Watermelon is super-tasty health food which is very refreshing. It is a real hot-weather pleasure and it is great after long run,’’ she said. According to her, watermelon has 95 per cent water which helps to curb appetite and feeling of satiety. Olowookere said that watermelon had 80 per cent lycopene, a phytochemical that protects the heart, prostate and skin health. She said that recent scientists studies claimed that lycopene was found to enhance male fertility by improving both sperm concentration and motility. ``Watermelon is hydrating, re-mineralising, alkalising, diuretic and laxative. ``Watermelon reduces risk of several cancers such as prostate, ovarian, cervical, oral and pharyngeal as it also protects the skin against sun burn. ``It is packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, foliates, iron and potassium, particularly more beta-carotene (pro-vit A), vit B1, and vit B6,’’ she said. According to Olowookere, diabetics tolerate watermelon well because of the low sugar content and beneficial in weight loss treatments as they were also low in calories and produce satiety value. She said a good slice of watermelon was superior as refreshment to bottled drinks; children in particular could take advantage of the refreshing and mineralising effect of water melon. Olowookere, therefore, recommended that the consumption of watermelon was ideal as part of a healthy diet as the seeds were also high in amino acids, `B' vitamins and magnesium. (NAN)