pastèque

  pastèque

  Watermelon is known in Iraq as "gypsum" or "dabbashi" or "raki" and it is at the forefront of summer fruits, and there is almost no table without it during that season, because it contains a very high percentage  of water that quenches thirst, moisturizes the body, and relieves

 Feel the heat of the air, and because it is almost the cheapest summer fruit ever, and the most productive.

It is believed that the pharaohs were the first to know watermelon, and from Egypt, it moved to Palestine and then to the rest of the countries of the White Sea basin.

The percentage of water in watermelon is 90-93% of its weight, while other substances are very few, on top of which is sugar, which is 6-9% of its weight.

As for vitamins, watermelon is rich in vitamin (C) and poor in vitamin (A), with a very small percentage of nicotinic acid, which is the anti-pellagra vitamin.

In addition, watermelon contains sulfur, phosphorous, chlorine, soda and potash, so it has a diuretic action.

It must be noted that excessive intake of watermelon after food causes indigestion due to the expansion of gastric juice, and therefore it must be eaten after meals with sufficient weight to take advantage of its other properties.

American nutritionist Dr. "Ainsley" claims that watermelon juice protects against typhoid, and also benefits people with rheumatism.

Watermelon seeds are used in India as a laxative and regenerating power, and in our country, these seeds are eaten roasted along with other entertainment materials called "transportation". These seeds are of high nutritional value, as the proportion of protein in them is 27.1%, while sugar is 15.7%. , And fatty substances 43% of it.