Researchers a Spanish university have developed a watermelon juice enriched with the amino acids in the outer layer of this fruit that reduces muscle pain and fatigue caused by intense work or sports activities. Agricultural engineer Patricia Martha Tarazona, developed this research with the idea of finding a use for the watermelon crust, which has high levels of the amino acid known asl-citrulline, which is used as a muscle relaxant in cases of fatigue and tiredness. The juice, Tarazona explained, is made from the pulp of the watermelon and enriched with the amino acid from the outer layer, previously extracted by industrial processes. The use of the outer layer, she said, also contributes to the implementation of a sustainable industry through fresh processing of this waste. The researcher pointed out that the juice would be recommended for athletes as for any other person under fatigue during periods of increased exertion or stress and labor, is not yet on the market.

The LA Times reported that in a small pilot study at Florida State University, researchers found that drinking watermelon juice can help reduce blood pressure.

Watermelon is a rich source of citrulline, an amino acid that can be metabolized to arginine, and is an essential amino acid. This study found that watermelon juice consumption increased fasting concentrations of plasma arginine, ornithine, and citrulline in healthy adult humans. These substances are essential to the regulation of vascular tone and healthy blood pressure. Arginine is required to produce nitric oxide, which lowers blood pressure, reduces blood clotting and protects against myocardial infarction and strokes.

 

Watermelons stimulate kidney action and enhance the production of urine which favours the elimination of toxins. They are low in fibre with a virtually non  existent fat content. Watermelons also contain the carotenoids lutein and lycopene. Lycopene, the responsible pigment for the red colour in certain fruits, has de-oxidizing properties that help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, watermelon assists in decreasing blood pressure, has de-oxidizing properties, fights infection, facilitates faster healing, can aid in weight management, and is a comfort meal that may sooth tension and stress. Now it's only a matter of choosing a ripe melon.

The devastating Queensland floods have dealt a severe blow to the $100 million Queensland melon industry with machinery ruined, pumps washed away and sheds left full of stinking mud. Growers who can access their farms are faced with a huge clean up of twisted plastic mulch, irrigation lines and crop remnants, while many others are unable to reach their farms as creek crossings are washed away. The floods are hitting melon growers with a double whammy as producers struggle to transport the remnants of their crops to markets. Growers in Emerald, Chinchilla and Bundaberg have lost millions of dollars of watermelon and rockmelons that have either washed away or rotted in the paddock as unprecedented floods sweep across large parts of the state.

And now, growers are facing huge problems with transportation as regional councils close roads identified as unsafe or needing major repairs. Trucks are standing idle as at least 500 tonnes of produce is going to waste in Chinchilla. The significant loss for these growers is being compounded by a sense of frustration that they cannot market their remaining crop. Some growers are resorting to hiring private contractors to fix problems with public roads.

Daryl O'Leary of Omagh Farms in Chinchilla said "We can't stand by and let more melons be ruined for the lack of a road. We are throwing away good fruit that will not keep without getting to market."

An all-of-government response is needed to get transport moving again. The state and federal governments have to quickly assist regional councils in repairing roads to allow melon growers to salvage some income from their crops. The Queensland Premier has promised a barge to move pineapples from the Rockhampton area; now is the time to assist flood victims in Chinchilla move their produce.

Chinchilla is a major production area and is known as the Melon Capital of Australia, preparing to host the national Melon Festival in February 2011.

The Australian Melon Industry consists of approximately 300 growers growing approximately 217,000 tons of melons on 8,500 hectares. The major fruit types grown are watermelons, rockmelons and honeydew melons. Melons are grown in Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales.

Further information: Contact Dianne Fullelove Industry Development Manager Australian Melon Association Mobile 0413 101 646.

A store in Fukuoka is selling heart-shaped watermelons

The unusual fruit is the invention of Hiroichi Kimura, a farmer from Kumamoto, and his wife. The couple said they had tried for three years to create the perfectly heart-shaped fruit, which they say symbolizes their passion for farming and their affection for each other. Apparently they are being sold for a price 15,750 yen ($160) each.

 

A dose of watermelon a day could keep high blood pressure at bay. Florida State University researchers have discovered the fruit is rich in compounds that widen blood vessels, and might cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes. And a daily fix of its juice could be enough to lower blood pressure in patients suffering from hypertension. High blood pressure doubles the risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke. Watermelon is an edible source of E-citrulline, involved in the production of nitric oxide gas, which widens blood vessels. The researchers found a daily does of 6g of L-citrulline lowered blood pressure after 6 weeks.

 

Watermelon, that icon of the Aussie summer, has always been an icon of summer. Now science has confirmed that watermelons are packed with nutrition. They are fat-free and low in calories, a good source of vitamins A, B6 and C; thiamine;and potassium, a mineral essential to water balance in the body. Watermelons have now been declared the fruit or veg with the highest amount of lycopene, which gives watermelon its redness. Lycopene has been linked to reduced risk of heart attack and certain cancers. Just 1 1/2 cups of ripe, red watermelon contains 9 to 13 milligrams of lycopene, which is approx 40 percent more than raw tomatoes.

 

Honey bees are essential for pollination of crops such as melons. It has been estimated that every third mouthful of food a person eats requires honey bees for pollination. The invasive Asian honey bee has the potential to carry the varroa mite that quickly spreads and destroys honey bee hives. As yet, biosecurity in Australia has kept the pest at bay with swarms of Asian honey bees destroyed since first detected in May 2007 in Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands.

The melon industry is contributing funding towards research into protecting Australia's pollination industry.

Scientists have found that watermelons have many health benefits, not the least of which is its ability to act like Viagra. According to a study from the University of Texas, "The more we study watermelons, the more we are convinced of how amazing the fruit is by providing elements that strengthen the human body." Researchers have found similar ingredients to those of Viagra and its use could increase libido.

The key to the added benefits of eating watermelons are in their content of citrulline, a substance that has the ability to produce a relaxation of the capillaries. When the substance is converted into an amino acid called arginine, it produces wonders in the heart, in the circulatory system and maintains a good immune system.

Farmers are feeding melons to pigs to reduce their stress levels. A daily supplement of an antioxidant-rich melon extract may lower levels of stress proteins in the gut, according to a French study with piglets. The melon-extract is a rich source of the antioxidant, superoxide dismutase. Dubbed 'the enzyme of life' when first discovered in 1968, it is the first antioxidant mobilised by cells for defence. It is thought to be more powerful than antioxidant vitamins as it activates the body's production of its own antioxidants.