FOOD NEWS
Watermelon Rinds: The Secret Superfood We've Been Tossing Out
By Andra Picincu
Before you toss your watermelon rinds in the trash, you should know you’re throwing away something chock-full of fiber, amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants.
Watermelon rinds are edible — and tasty if prepared correctly — with bioactive compounds that may protect against heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic ailments.
Rinds contain high levels of the amino acid citrulline, which can reduce intestinal inflammation, increase protein synthesis, and help athletes improve their performance.
It’s also rich in coumarin, flavonoids, carotenoids, lignans, and other antioxidants that help to improve blood lipids, reduce body fat, and decrease insulin resistance.
If that wasn’t enough, watermelon rinds also contain large amounts of vitamins B6 and C, which are good for your immune system and cardiovascular health, among other benefits.
You can mix them into smoothies, use them in a stir-fry, or add them to salads. Try roasting them in the oven or pickling them for a crunchy snack.
Just make sure to remove traces of pesticides, herbicides, and germs by thoroughly washing the watermelon rinds before you cook with them.