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
Our bodies’ cells disintegrate and then recycle their own parts constantly. In 2016, Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi, from Japan, received the Nobel Prize in Physiolog...
Recently posted . 1K views . 4 min read
Gingko Biloba also called the ‘maidenhair tree,’ is an ancient tree native to China. Gingko Biloba is the last remaining species of the Ginkgophyte fa...
Recently posted . 968 views . 2 min read
Popeye knew it well, iron is an indispensable ally for our body. In general, a balanced diet should cover our needs, but how to provide us with iron? In foods such ...
Recently posted . 1K views . 2 min read
Potassium is a crucial mineral for the human body. It performs countless functions, including muscle regulation, fluid balance, and even nerve health. But sadly, ar...
Recently posted . 1K views . 2 min read
Oral cancer causes about 50,000 deaths in India every year.
Chronic irritation within the mouth ensuing from ill-fitting dentures will cause carcinoma, w...
Recently posted . 931 views . 21 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 . 8K 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 . 5K 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 . 5K 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 . 5K views . 2 min read
More in Food & Health
Culinary creative Sine (aka Foodbites) likes to bring fruit and vegetables to life by turning them into super-cute characters.
Recently posted. 991 views . 0 min read
Glucometers are quite popular because they help to get information about the blood sugar levels quickly and easily. They give precise results with the measurement o...
Recently posted. 977 views . 2 min read
Consuming e-cigarettes is some distance safer and less toxic than smoking conventional tobacco cigarettes, in line with the findings of a observe analysing...
Recently posted. 637 views . 22 min read
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views . 114 min read
Recently posted . 1K views . 101 min read
The key to staying healthy this winter may be to look more closely at the people around us to determine if they’re sick — while keeping at a distance.
Recently posted. 716 views . 1 min read
As a report published last summer by a research team at the Harvard School of Public Health concluded, although current evidence may not warrant recommending coffee...
Recently posted. 1K views . 2 min read