THE WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL EFFECTS OF WATERMELON

When I posted about the miraculous effects of banana, I got a lot of response. And now I present to you yet another wonder-fruit called Watermelon. 

Despite popular belief that watermelon is made up of only water and sugar, watermelon is actually considered a nutrient dense food, a food that provides a high amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for a low amount of calories.

Watermelons have become synonymous with summer and picnics, and for good reason. Their refreshing quality and sweet taste help to combat the heat and also provide a guilt-free, low maintenance dessert for kids and adults alike to enjoy.

Along with cantaloupe and honeydew, watermelons are a member of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae. There are five common types of watermelon: seeded, seedless, mini (also known as personal), yellow and orange.

Nutritional breakdown

One cup of diced watermelon (152 grams) contains 43 calories, 0 grams of fat, 2 grams of sodium, 11 grams of carbohydrate (including 9 grams of sugar and 1 gram of fiber) and 1 gram of fiber. One cup of watermelon will provide 17% of vitamin A, 21% of vitamin C, 2% of iron and 1% of calcium needs for the day.

Watermelon also contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, choline, lycopene and betaine. According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, watermelon contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable.

Despite being a great source of the above nutrients, watermelon is made up of 92% water.

Possible health benefits

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like watermelon decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, overall lower weight.

Asthma prevention: The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is vitamin C, found in many fruits and vegetables including watermelon.

Blood pressure: A study published by the American Journal of Hypertension found that watermelon extract supplementation reduced ankle blood pressure, brachial blood pressure and carotid wave reflection in obese middle-aged adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and that watermelon extract improved arterial function.

Diets rich in lycopene may help protect against heart disease.

Cancer: As an excellent source of the strong antioxidant vitamin C as well as other antioxidants, watermelon can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. Lycopene intake has been linked with a decreased risk of prostate cancer prevention in several studies.

Digestion and regularity: Watermelon, because of its water and fiber content, helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.

Hydration: Made up of 92% water and full of important electrolytes, watermelon is a great snack to have on hand during the hot summer months to prevent dehydration.

Inflammation: Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in watermelon that aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.1

Muscle soreness: Watermelon and watermelon juice have been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time following exercise in athletes. Researchers believe this is likely do to the amino acid L-citrulline contained in watermelon.

Skin: Watermelon is also great for your skin because it contains vitamin A, a nutrient required for sebum production that keeps hair moisturized. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair.

Adequate intake of vitamin C (one cup of watermelon provides 21% of daily needs) is also needed for the building and maintenance of collagen, which provides structure to skin and hair. Watermelon also contributes to overall hydration, which is vital for having healthy looking skin and hair.

How to incorporate more watermelon into your diet

Jazz up a boring salad by adding watermelon or add to a few ice cubes in a blender for a cold refreshing treat!

Look for a watermelon that is firm, heavy and symmetrical without soft spots or bruising.

Place diced watermelon and a few ice cubes in a blender for a cold refreshing treat that's perfect for rehydrating after exercise or a day in the sun.

Jazz up a boring salad by adding watermelon, mint and fresh mozzarella to a bed of spinach leaves. Drizzle with balsamic.

Visit the National Watermelon Board's recipe site for even more fun, inventive ideas on how to incorporate more watermelon into your diet.

Potential health risks

It is the total diet or overall eating pattern that is most important in disease prevention and achieving good health. It is better to eat a diet with variety than to concentrate on individual foods as the key to good health.

ON MY WAY TO ABUJA: LAUGH WITH ME

Boarded a bus going to Abuja recently. As we were about taking off, an Akwa Ibom girl hawking some edibles walked up to me and said "Oka mbok I ket Raka Sada, egg doul, and I efun dey cell cledit. I af cro.

My jaw dropped and I tried faking a smile because I didn't know what to say. But all of a sudden the man sitting next to me tapped me n said "Oka mbok tork to the kel na".

"What was that?" I asked but he just looked at me as if saying "didn't you get me the first time?" And I was still in shock when a man from the rear shouted at the driver "raifa rowa the vorium of that ladio mbok"

I was officially confused at this time. So I asked the driver "Diver please where is this bus headed?, just to be sure. And he said "Abuya"

I simply told him "Don't worry. I'm not going again. Let me get off"

Mbok what did I get myself into?

THE WONDER DRUG CALLED BANANA

The banana tree is actually the largest herbaceous flowering plant in the world which on an average is 20 - 25 feet tall. There is a lot more to this humble fruit than meets the eye. This starch-rich fruit doubles as a meal many a time.

There are various varieties and shapes and sizes of bananas. It has been found that bananas have curative properties both scientifically and traditionally. Birds and animals - especially monkeys and elephants love bananas.

There are many healing and medicinal properties of bananas:

 The high content of iron in bananas increases the production of hemoglobin in the blood -therefore they are very good for anemia.

 They regulate bowel movement - whether it is constiption or diarrhea. Our elders believed that eating a banana after every meal improved digestion significantly.

 When you suffer from a hangover - a banana milkshake with honey can give you immense relief. Cold milk soothes the stomach lining and bananas with honey build up depleted blood sugar levels.

 Bananas are exceedingly good for students as the rich source of potassium can make a person very alert; the fruit is often called a brain tonic

 Bananas work well as a snack for people who have high blood pressure as they are wholesome with low salt levels.

 For those suffering from depression, bananas are good as they contain a protein called serotonin – which is also called the ‘happy hormone’ as it makes one feel happy and relaxed.

 Bananas can be eaten frequently to treat ulcers as they neutralize acidity in the stomach. This soft and smooth fruit cannot irritate the stomach walls.

 For pregnant women suffering from morning sickness, eating bananas in between meals helps immensely in settling the queasiness in the stomach.

 Eating bananas helps people give up smoking as this fruit is rich in vitamin C, A, B6 and B12. Bananas contain potassium and magnesium as well, which help the body recover from nicotine withdrawal.

 Bananas have an antacid effect, so people who experience heartburn find relief on eating a banana.

 Potassium is a vital mineral which normalizes heartbeat while regulating the body’s water balance. As banana is a rich source of potassium, it re-balances disturbances of fluids in the body.

 For weight watchers, banana is an excellent snack in place of crisps and chocolates. Research found that food craving during high pressure work could be assuaged safely and in a healthy manner by eating a banana every 2-3 hourly as it is a high carbohydrate food that controls blood sugar levels.

 Topically, the peel of a banana – with the yellow side on top can be taped to a warts. It will shrivel and fall off.

 The peel of a banana fruit can be rubbed on a mosquito bite with good effect, the stinging sensation stops and the swelling also reduces.

 A ripe banana mashed and applied on the face is great at moisturizing and nourishing tired and dry skin.

BANANA STEM:

When a bunch of bananas is harvested, the stem/tree is cut away. The tender inner stem is used as food and has many medicinal properties as well.

Layers of hard outer stem are peeled away and only the tender inner stem is used. It is very fibrous, so the thread fiber has to be cleaned. The stem is chopped into small bits and soaked in buttermilk or diluted yogurt for half hour. In Southern parts of India, it is cooked as a vegetable and eaten along with rice.

The banana stem has fiber – this is very beneficial for those on a weight-loss program. It is also a rich source of potassium and vitamin B6 which helps in the production of insulin and hemoglobin. Eating banana stem once a week keeps high blood pressure in control. Banana stem also maintains fluid balance within the body. It is a diuretic and helps detoxify the body. The popular belief is that eating banana stem is very good for kidney stones.

BANANA FLOWER:

The banana flower grows at the end of a bunch of bananas. It is a leafy maroon colored cone with cream colored florets layered inside. These florets need to be cleaned well before they are cooked as a vegetable. The banana flower is rich in vitamins, flavonoids and proteins. The flower has been used in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis, constipation and ulcer problems. It eases menstrual cramps. The extracts of banana flower have antioxidant properties that prevent free radicals and control cell and tissue damage.

BANANA PLANT LEAVES:

In India and Asia, banana leaves are used like aluminum foil. They are used to wrap food prior to steaming and grilling. The leaf makes an excellent platter and food served on these leaves tastes delicious. The leaves are not eaten but while steaming food some of the polyphenols are imparted to the food.

RED SKINNED BANANAS:

The peel of this type of bananas is a maroon red color and they are plumper than normal bananas. They are also highly nutritious - the vitamin C content depends on how red the banana is. The potassium content is high - more or less like the yellow bananas. The flavor of red bananas is unique and they are delicious and rare.

THE HEART BEAT OF GOD

Money. Power. Fame. Beauty. What’s that thing that makes your heart skip. What makes you feel like going the extra mile? What gives you that strength to keep moving forward when every other thing is telling you to back down? But preaching the gospel and making sure that people are drawn to the kingdom is our main reason for living. It is the totality of our existence. It the hearth beat of God.

 Heaven rejoices over a soul that repents and comes to Christ. God is more interested in people hearing and living by the Word than any other thing. For faith, salvation, hope and peace come as a result of hearing and hearing of the Word of God. One misconception about ‘preaching the gospel’ has always been that people think that it is only behind the pulpit that is the only place one can preach the gospel. THAT IS A WRONG perspective.

 The pulpit is NOT the only place where the Gospel can be preach from. We can preach via our behaviors, words and even actions. Our lifestyle can be a very big sermon to people out there. Sometimes when you say nothing, you say a lot. Provocation will always come. But the ability to respond, and not react, to such situations tells whether you’re really saying the mind of God.

 In your office, church, home spread the gospel of love. Your words can be half of who you are but your actions reveal ALL about you. You were saved for a reason, and that reason was for you to bring others to the God that gave you salvation. Preach the gospel in your own way. Bring people to Christ. Make God’s heart beat.

Meet the ECOWAS diplomat who took Ebola to Port Harcourt

Ibukun Koye is the Head, ECOWAS Liaison Office Lagos, Nigeria. He reportedly fled quarantine in Lagos and traveled to Port Harcourt in Rivers state, where he infected a doctor with the deadly Ebola virus. Olu-Ibukun Koye made primary contact with index case, Liberian Patrick Sawyer but later escaped quarantine despite the fact the he noticed he was showing symptoms of the Ebola disease. Koye fled to Port Harcourt, Rivers state and hired Dr. Iyke Samuel Enemuo to treat him secretly at Mandate Hotel. He recovered from the life-threatening disease and returned to Lagos where he was certified free of Ebola but Dr. Enemuo who treated him died on Friday, August 22, 2014. It was their little secret, until Olu-Ibukun Koye heard of the Dr. Enemuo’s death and then admitted that he actually travelled to Port Harcourt with the disease. Meanwhile, Dr. Enemuo’s wife and 3-month old baby have been quarantined while about 200 people have been placed under observation in Rivers state. It is said that Olu-Ibukun Koye may be charged of manslaughter for his actions which led to the death of Dr. Enemuo.