Did You Know: Watermelons Shouldn't Be Stored In Fridge - Here's Why
Tuesday, May 10, 2022 IST
We understand, storing watermelons is a very common practice everywhere. But doing this might decrease its nutrition quotient. Read on to know more.
Summer is here and so is the time to indulge in sweet and juicy watermelons. We just love this red-coloured summer fruit; right? It is super hydrating and cools us down in just no time. Besides it is loaded with nutrients too. According to the book 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing House, citrulline - an important amino acid found in the flesh of watermelons, can stimulate the production of nitric oxide which regulates blood pressure and enhances blood flow. This helps us detox and fight inflammation in the body. Besides, it is exceptionally low in calories, that makes the fruit perfect to devour to curb sugar cravings. But did you know, storing it in refrigerator might take away the goodness from the fruit. You read this right.
We understand, storing watermelons is a very common practice everywhere. And we also don't deny that chilled watermelons during hot summer days taste out of the world. But doing this might decrease its nutrition quotient. At least, a study conducted by the USDA says so. Published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, it was found that watermelons stored at room temperature deliver more nutrients than refrigerated or freshly picked ones.
The researchers at USDA's South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Lane, Oklahoma tested several popular varieties of watermelon for 14 days. They stored these melons at 70-, 55- and 41-degree Fahrenheit. They found that the ones stored at 70-degree Fahrenheit had substantially more nutrients than the freshly picked ones or the ones stored in refrigerators.
They explain that watermelon continues to produce some nutrients even after being picked up. Refrigerating the fruit slows down or stops the whole process. In fact, at refrigerated temperature they might start decaying in a week (whereas usual shelf life of a watermelon is 14 to 21 days).
Considering the above factors, we suggest, keep your watermelons in room temperature to enjoy its benefits to the fullest. And if you want to enjoy it chilled, how about making some yummy and fresh watermelon popsicles with it?! Click here for a delicious 2-ingredient watermelon popsicle recipe.
Related Topics
Related News & Articles
Ingredients:
1.2 cup semolina (suji)
2.1 cup sour curd (Dahi)
3.1/2 tsp salt (namak)
4.1 tsp mustard se...
Recently posted . 1K views . 15 min read
Microwaves surely are convenient. But would you prefer convenience or cancer?
Recently posted . 916 views . 1 min read
The study involved only men who were eating a fatty diet, but it adds to growing evidence that exercise timing matters and, for many of us, working out later migh...
Recently posted . 940 views . 2 min read
For everyone who’s been blessed with Bengali food growing up, they’ve had the happiest childhood. Okay, while that might have been an overstretch, the b...
Recently posted . 955 views . 6 min read
Aging is not something we eagerly anticipate. We may look forward to the experiences, knowledge, maturity, and wisdom that comes with years lived. But the agi...
Recently posted . 713 views . 5 min read
Trending News & Articles
Lung cancer is usually not noticeable during the early stages. Most people are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage. According to Cancer.org, it is ...
Recently posted . 7K views . 2 min read
The health benefits of wood apple include [1] relief from constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcer, piles, respiratory problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also b...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus. A famous drink known as sh...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Do you know what milia are? Milia is a skin condition which causes the appearance of small white hard bumps on the skin which usually appear on the face, neck or ch...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
More in Food & Health
A recent study details how capsule endoscopy revealed multiple hookworms buried in the small intestine of a 14-year-old boy who had obscure gastrointestinal bleed...
Recently posted. 701 views . 1 min read
It’s time to limit your kids’ screen time for the sake of their mental health.
Recently posted. 648 views . 0 min read
Would you be able to quit whining for an entire month? That is the stub of this fascinating piece composed by Jessica Hullinger over at Fast Company. Hullinger inve...
Recently posted. 555 views . 3 min read
Recently posted . 828 views
Recently posted . 738 views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views . 45 min read
Recently posted . 1K views . 80 min read
People who have a 'sweet tooth' gene variation, that makes them crave and eat more sugar, are likely to have less body fat than others, a study has found
Recently posted. 884 views . 1 min read
Delhi to Amritsar Self Drive Cars
It’s not always about the destination, sometimes it’s about th...
Recently posted. 1K views . 6 min read