Low in calories

THE arrival of water melon in the fruit market usually heralds the beginning of summer. Varying in size, colour and taste, the best fruit is that cultivated on sandy river beds. These are usually very sweet. The creepers bear fruit five months after the seeds have been planted.

Nutritionally, there is nothing spectacular as more than 95 per cent of the fruit is water. The 100 gram pulp provides only 16 calories of energy. But it has pectin, which is used to make squashes, sherbet and jams. There is no Vitamin A and only traces of Vitamin C. (The musk melon, or Karbuja, on the other hand, has abundant Vitamin A and C.) It is also used in ayurvedic preparations. It is a diuretic and prevents water retention.

Water melon seeds have 34 per cent protein and 52 per cent oil. The seeds are sometimes used in dishes. The leaves are bitter and used to treat anaemia, haemptysis and typhus fever.

In short, the water melon is ideal as it has few calories. But do not eat what is sold by fruit juice vendors as the slices or juice may be contaminated and cause infectious diseases.

Nutritional content per 100 gm

Water 95.6 per cent
Energy 16 calories
Carotene 0
Vitamin C 1 mg
Calcium 11 mg
Phosphate 12 mg
Protein 0.2 gm
Fat 0.2 gm
Carbohydrate 3.8 gm l

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