There is just nothing better on a hot summer evening than a piece of cold, thirst-quenching, and sweet watermelon. Well, except a cold and wonderfully sweet watermelon smoothie with mint! I’ll admit that during the summer I’m a card-carrying watermelon junkie. Watermelon is my fav fruit and I’ve found that adding a bit of mint and vanilla to a watermelon smoothie even makes it better. Usually, I’m not a huge fan of mint in smoothies, but in this case, mint gives a very flavorful “kick” to this watermelon mint smoothie. Delicious!!
Did You Know?
By weight, watermelon is the most consumed melon in the United States, followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.
Important Health Benefits of Watermelon
Melons are predigested. In fact, the flesh of the watermelon is so digestible that the digestive system hardly needs to process it because of the high amount of enzymes and certain co-enzymes. In less than one minute, the fructose in melon departs the stomach. The remaining part of the fruit goes directly into the intestinal tract where it promptly fortifies and recharges the body.
Eating melon can be compared to getting an intravenous nutrient therapy. Watermelon greatly reduces inflammation, helps to flush out edema, aids in weight loss, and can reduce depression. Watermelon is also able to improve the immune system and nourish vision.
- antioxidant properties
- anti-inflammatory benefits
- anti-cancer benefits
- rich source of vitamin C, beta-carotene & manganese
- free radical scavenger
- anti-estrogen effects
- helps with hydration
- helps with blood pressure
- beneficial for pyorrhea
- aids in digestion
- helpful with constipation
- natural remedy for treating tapeworms
- high silica content
- helps brittle nails
- may relieve gout & arthritis pain
- beneficial for diabetes
- may reduce cholesterol levels
- may help with kidney stones
- aids in weight loss
- good source of B vitamins
- effective hangover cure
Watermelon Smoothie with Mint Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups, tightly packed, diced seedless COLD watermelon (organic is best)
- 1 tablespoon fresh organic mint leaves
- 1/4-1/2 tsp of pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
- 4 to 6 ice cubes (if wanted)
Directions
- Place all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend until frothy, about one minute. Pour into a glass, and garnish with watermelon balls and some mint leaves. Serve immediately.
- In advance, freeze some watermelon in ice-cube trays and place a few into your smoothie.
Options: Not a fan of watermelon? Substitute fresh cantaloupe or honeydew for the watermelon.
Resources
Watermelon lycopene and allied health claims. EXCLI J. 2014 Jun 3;13:650-60. eCollection 2014.
Consumption of watermelon juice increases plasma concentrations of lycopene and beta-carotene in humans. J Nutr. 2003 Apr;133(4):1043-50.
Watermelon consumption improves inflammation and antioxidant capacity in rats fed an atherogenic diet. Nutr Res. 2015 Mar;35(3):251-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2014.12.005. Epub 2015 Jan 3.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician of choice.
