Watermelon Juice and Weight Loss - Recipe for Success

Watermelon doesn't just taste good, it kicks butt---literally. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that arginine, an amino acid in watermelon juice, reduced fat accumulation and increased muscle. Watermelon, and its juice, can be frozen and used throughout the year. And there are many fresh watermelon juice recipes to add a dash of zing to summer picnics and get-togethers.

"Fighting human obesity"

The beneficial effect of watermelon juice on fat storage and muscle gain was studied in animals. But Guoyao Wu, leader of the Texas A & M study, stated "this finding could be directly translated into fighting human obesity. Given the current epidemic of obesity in the United States and worldwide, our finding is very important." Watermelon is a dietary source of arginine supplementation. This juicy red fruit also provides significant amounts of lycopene. Lycopene is what gives tomatoes their wonderful colors. Researchers found arginine, a compound in watermelon, decreased fat storage and made muscles stronger.

How do you preserve watermelon juice?

The best way to preserve watermelon juice is to freeze it. The fruit can be juiced by mashing or blending. Depending on personal preference, strain out the pulp or leave it in. The juice can be frozen immediately in containers or as "ice cubes." It does not need to be pasteurized.

The juice cubes add sunshine and zing to summer wine drinks, such as individual glasses of sangria, and to iced teas. (They are particularly yummy in iced peppermint tea.) Or cut the fruit into chunks and freeze in a juice pack. To make a juice pack, pour pineapple juice or lemon-lime soda, for example, over watermelon chunks in a container and then freeze.

Recipes for fresh watermelon juice

While watermelon is as all-American as apple pie, there are many unusual, even exotic, interpretations of this juicy red summer fruit and its freshly squeezed juice. Perfect for making any occasion a little more festive!

Here's a recipe for fresh watermelon juice that comes from Down Under: it uses watermelon, ginger, lemon and sugar, shaken in a jug or blended in a blender. For a North Indian take, a recipe from Sulekha includes the melon, Rose or Raspberry syrup, crushed ice and water. Dr. Ben Kim suggests blending luscious ripe chunks of watermelon with sparkling water and mint leaves. Finally, a tempting recipe from Recipezaar also uses mint leaves, and adds the flavor-burst of black pepper highlighted with honey.

Enjoy watermelon --- it may help reduce fat accumulation

The arginine in watermelon juice can make those summer picnics even more healthful. By freezing watermelon juice, you can enjoy its delights and benefits, for health and healthy weight, all year round.

*** More helpful tips on weight management: Avoiding Weight Gain: Stand Up for Yourself and Vitamin D and Body Weight: A Ray of Sunshine.

Recipes:

"Fresh Watermelon Juice Recipe," Taste.com.au.

"Watermelon Juice Recipe," Sulekha.

"Sparkling Watermelon Juice Recipe," Dr. Ben Kim.

"Watermelon Juice Recipe," Recipezaar.

Sources:

"Watermelon juice may be key to weight loss," UPI.

"Consumption of Watermelon Juice Increases Plasma Concentrations of Lycopene and ß-Carotene in Humans," Journal of Nutrition.