An emblematic fruit of summer, watermelon delights young and old. However, from our first installment, the question of glitches arises. If with age we understand that a watermelon will not grow in our stomach, what about the consequences for health? Two nutrition experts recently sorted out the truth from the falsehood with our colleagues at Verywell Health.
Is eating watermelon seeds dangerous for your health?
Toby Amidor, dietician and nutrition expert, explains that “theThe black seeds of a regular watermelon are ripe, fertile seeds that would grow into a watermelon plant if a few were planted in the ground. Note that the white seeds are in fact empty seed coats where the seed has not reached maturity. The expert confirms the safety of watermelon seeds for health. “They can be consumed without danger and will pass into the body, because they are insoluble fiber.“
Unlike soluble fibers which become gelatinous upon contact with a liquid, insoluble fibers remain intact. Their high swelling capacity allowsspeed up transit and of promote satiety. Insoluble fiber is found in the skin of many foods such as Whole grains (wheat bran, rye), brown rice and certain legumes (red beans, lentils, chickpeas).
However, the dietician warns people with sensitive digestive system. Eating watermelon seeds can cause them constipation Or gastrointestinal discomfort. If there are seedless varieties, it is above all a question of preference.
What are the benefits of watermelon seeds?
Kacie Barnes, an American dietitian, explains that although they are not very pleasant to chew, “Watermelon seeds can actually provide great nutrition“. Indeed, they are rich in vitamin C, iron And zinc.
Additionally, watermelon seeds are low in calories and contain unsaturated fatty acids, the “good fats”. The seeds can be made into butter, flour or even herbal tea.
The tip: Rinse the seeds with clean water then dry them on absorbent paper. You can then roast them by browning them for a few minutes in a pan or around fifteen minutes in the oven at 160°C. These crispy seeds can enhance your salads.
Are all fruit seeds good to eat?
If there is no concern for the seeds of cucumber, pomegranate or pitaya (dragon fruit), precautions are necessary for other fruits. Certain kernels or seeds consumed in excessive quantities can pose health risks:
- The cherries : their cores contain prussic acid, also known as cyanide. Don’t worry if you swallow a few kernels, the prussic acid, present in smaller quantities, will not come into contact with your body. It is still preferable to avoid crushing or chewing them.
- Apples : their seeds also contain cyanide. The natural protective covering of the seeds will prevent cyanide from entering your digestive system. Avoid consuming large quantities of chewed or crushed seeds.
- Apricots : the amygdalin present in their nuclei breaks down into cyanide during digestion. “Consumed in large quantities, this almond [d’abricot] exposed to risk of cyanide poisoning“, warnsHandles. It is recommended not to exceed 1 to 3 kernels per day for adults and half of a small kernel for young children.
Source : Handles
