The Cool Way to Boost Immunity with Watermelon Seeds

The temperatures are rising and summer is already here! Indian summers are known, and for good reason, for how hot, humid and tiring they can be. So, as soon as the summer wave begins to hit us, we begin stocking up on foods that help us stay cool. Many of these foods include cucumbers, watermelons, lemon drinks, yogurt, coconut water, melons and lots of leafy greens!

In this list of vegetables and fruits, there are another type of food that are not just great for your health but help boost immunity as well. While we are staying home in order to stay safe, it is also imperative that we explore foods that help boost our immunity. Some seeds such as flax seeds, chia seeds, watermelon seeds, etc., are great for strengthening our body’s immunity.

It might be a surprise for many that watermelon seeds can be eaten just like the other seeds by adding them to salads, breakfast cereal in the morning, desserts, breads, muffins, cookies, tea, smoothies or sprinkle them over yogurt or soup for added texture and lots of nutrition. 

In order to consume the seeds, you can rinse, dry, salt and bake them for about 10 minutes. Once cooled, they are ready to be eaten! 

But, why should we eat watermelon seeds, you may ask?

Watermelon seeds are super foods and great immunity boosters, thanks to the wide range of minerals and vitamins present in them.

Magnesium 

Watermelon and its seeds are loaded with magnesium that plays an important role in many of the body’s metabolic functions. 

 

It also has a significant role to play in strengthening the body’s defenses as it boosts immunity.

Iron

Another mineral that watermelon seeds contain is iron. This mineral is very important for our survival as it plays a central role in the formation of blood cells. 

Iron is also needed  for the growth, proliferation and maturation of lymphocytes,  which are the first layer of cells that fight infectious agents that enter our body.  The body also uses iron to form bacteriostatic cells that further strengthen the body’s immune system.

 

 The iron in lactoferrin in the body is known to chelate the iron from the bacterial cells and kill them.

Zinc

This is another mineral that is vital to the healthy functioning of the immune system and watermelon seeds are rich in it too. 

Zinc is crucial for the normal development and function of immune cells that are the front line warriors of the immune system. 

 

Consuming foods rich in zinc protect your body from a variety of pathogens and diseases caused by them.

 

So the next time you enjoy watermelon in this summer season, remember to save the seeds and add them to other meals!

 

NATURE ESSENTIAL FOODS