So you have more than likely heard the benefits of seeds as part of a healthy diet being extolled for a while now. Seeds such as sunflower, pumpkin, flax, and chia are easy to come by in your grocer or health food store. They are also often found on the ingredients labels of your favorite nutritious snacks and meals. However, a seed you likely haven’t heard much about is watermelon seeds.
Not to be overlooked, watermelon seeds and their by-products have numerous health benefits.
Don’t Spit The Pips!
For years we’ve all been under the impression that watermelon seeds are unnecessary and even an irritant. Whole new strains of watermelons have been developed to have no seeds and are an exceedingly popular choice.
But rather than viewing these seeds or pips as a waste product along with the rind (though you can eat this too!), they are actually just as useful and beneficial as more popular seeds. So before you bin them, let’s take a look at the benefits of watermelon seeds and their uses.
What Makes Watermelon Seeds So Great?
Watermelon is cultivated and eaten in huge amounts all over the world. So it is somewhat surprising that watermelon seeds have been ignored as a food source for so long as they are in fact one of the most nutrient-dense seeds available.
Watermelon Seeds:
- Are High in protein yet proportionately low in calories
- Rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids
- Full of folate, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and potassium. One serve contains 14% of your daily magnesium requirements.
- Contain amino acids which are linked to improved circulation
Health Benefits Of Watermelon Seeds
Combined, these elements are essential building blocks to a healthy immune system and improved cardiovascular health thanks to their natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Watermelon seed consumption has also been linked to:
Stabilized blood sugar
Thanks to the presence of high levels of magnesium, you can expect better stability in your blood sugar when consuming watermelon seeds as part of a healthy diet. Magnesium helps your body regulate how carbohydrates are metabolized and therefore stabilizes blood sugar.
Increased sexual function and fertility in men
Watermelon seeds contain a significant amount of zinc which is essential for male reproductive health. The presence of an amino acid called citrulline which helps blood vessels relax and dilate has also led some scientists to refer to watermelon seeds as a natural viagra substitute.
Boosts metabolism and energy levels
As watermelon seeds are high in micronutrients, many of which as essential fatty acids, they can effectively nourish your body and provide enhanced energy.
Improved skin health
Being high in vitamin c and antioxidants, watermelon seeds are great for skin health. They enhance elasticity and can help prevent dull dry skin and even dreaded break-outs. The high levels of zinc can also help slow the aging process from the inside out. Oil extracted from watermelon seeds is actually a component in many cosmetic products.
Better hair
Iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper are all known to be essential to healthy hair growth, all things which watermelon seeds contain in high amounts. The presence of manganese also contributes to reduced hair fall.
Lowered risk of osteoporosis
Strong bones rely on magnesium, copper, and potassium, something watermelon seeds provide in an easy-to-consume and digest format. Helping support better bone health and avoid osteoporosis as we age.
Ways To Eat Watermelon Seeds
You can eat watermelon seeds in a variety of ways.
- They are delicious roasted and make a great addition to a trail mix for added nutrition.
- You can also eat them sprouted. Sprouted watermelon seeds are seeds that have been germinated to remove the outer black shell. Sprouting seeds improves their fiber content and makes them easier to digest so you get the maximum benefits of their nutrition.
- Raw, raw seeds are entirely edible, straight from the fruit, however, should you swallow them whole, your body is unable to extract much of their benefits and they will remain largely undigested.
- Ground into flour. Beyond The Equator, Watermelon Seed Flour makes it easy to add watermelon seeds to all your favorite treats and enjoy their health benefits.
Why Watermelon Seed Flour?
At Beyond The Equator, our mission is to innovate and create incredibly nutritious, natural products that are both allergy-safe and delicious. Our Sunflower Seed Flour has been exceedingly popular and as a result, got us thinking about other seed flour we could create to expand access to wheat flour or nut flour alternatives.
Our watermelon seed flour is produced post-harvesting by drying the seeds, expertly de-hulling them, and then gently grinding them into a fine powder to create the flour.
The flour is created on a production line free of the top 8 allergens as well as sesame. This makes it safe for consumption by those with tree nut allergies, gluten intolerance, or coeliac disease as well as allergies to dairy/egg/crustacea/fish and soy. It is also vegan and non-GMO certified.
Watermelon flour is the ideal substitute for wheat flour and can be substituted 1 for 1 in most recipes. Its texture is similar to that of almond flour and it has a slightly nutty taste that blends well with other flavors.
Take Your Nutrition Above And Beyond With Beyond The Equator
Our goal to provide sustainable, nutritious foods that can be enjoyed by everyone is one that is ever-evolving. Our hope is that by highlighting the benefits of watermelon seeds and other underutilized seeds that we can transform the way we eat and more intelligently feed and nourish our bodies.
If well-thought-out and diverse nutrition is something you are interested in, why not try our range of allergy-friendly, nut-free, low-carb products such as 5 Seed Butter and premium chia seeds. Our recipes page is constantly growing to show you the ideal way to incorporate these superfoods into your diet.
Whether you are following a low-carb ketogenic diet or just being mindful of the nutritional value of your food, watermelon seed flour is the perfect addition to your pantry staples. Try it today!