Can you choose watermelon?
18.07.2022

Watermelon is one of the garden products that people often buy in summer. The sweet, which is loved by children and adults alike, is brought to the capital from the southern regions of the country and Uzbekistan.

Watermelon ripens early in warm regions of our republic. For example, this year garden crops were planted on 17 thousand hectares of land in Zhetysai district of Turkestan region. Farmers received the first harvest of garden crops in May.

We are more or less familiar with this type of information. But does that mean we know everything about watermelon?

Watermelon has 10 times less calories than bread

First, let's talk about the benefits and harms of watermelon. Bakytzhan Biimbetov, the chief gastroenterologist of the hospital of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, told about its effect on the human body.

"Watermelon is rich in many vitamins and minerals. A, B, C groups can be mentioned among the vitamins. Now, the most important among micronutrients are potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and sodium. This is a fruit that quenches thirst well. It has diuretic properties. It helps when the bile is full or when removing small sands in the bile. In addition, watermelon contains a lot of fructose. It gives a sweet taste to garden produce. Fructose is more easily absorbed than sugar. It is also useful in the metabolic process. It is also beneficial for overweight people. it gives good results for cleaning from slags. It also has cholesterol-lowering properties," said the professor.

There are also harmful aspects of garden products. Bakytzhan Ryskululy says that if the amount of nitrate in watermelon is high, the body can be poisoned by nitrate. In addition, it is necessary to use the product with caution in case of some diseases.  

"People with diabetes should not eat a lot of watermelon, because it can increase the amount of sugar in the blood. Watermelon stimulates urine and strengthens the function of the kidneys, so it should not be used excessively in case of chronic kidney failure," said a gastroenterologist.

Bakytzhan Biimbetov recommends eating this garden product during the day. The easy absorption of fruit into the body is explained by the low calorie content. For example, 100 grams of watermelon contains 25-30 kilocalories. To put it simply, watermelon contains 10 times less calories than bread.

This dessert should be eaten in August, not in the scorching heat of July

We forget about the sanitary requirements when we buy garden products that are delicious and quench our thirst. There are times when you buy it because you are interested in it, and when you go home, you get hungry. So, what should be considered in order not to make a mistake in choosing garden products?

"You should pay attention to the integrity of the crust of the product, the absence of cracks, scratches, bends and rot. The crust should be dense and shiny, the opposite side of the stripes should be bright. The stem should be dry, a clear sound should be heard when tapped, and there should be a yellowish spot on the side lying on the ground. It's better to buy a large amount of watermelon," says Asyl Seraly, chief specialist of the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of Nur-Sultan. 

In addition, fruits should be stored in a place protected from the sun and rain. Garden products should be placed on special pallets with a height of not less than 20 cm. The specialist advises to wash the garden crops with a brush and running water before cutting them. It is also said that watermelon should be consumed from August.

In 2021 and this year (as of July 18, 2022), the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the capital has not registered cases of mass poisoning with watermelon. The institution may conduct an investigation with the permission of the first head of the central executive body in case of a mass poisoning incident.

At the same time, Asyl Seraly says that it is necessary to demand a document confirming the safety of the product from the seller. It seems that products sold in illegal trading places and on the road do not have such a certificate.

"It is better to eat watermelon and melon immediately. Do not store the cut part in the refrigerator for more than 1 day. Do not eat watermelon until the peel. Most of the nitrates are located near the crust of the fruit and are in its stem," said the chief specialist.

An increase in nitrates in the body means poisoning

"Nitrate", although we often use this word in our vocabulary, it does not come to mind when it comes to watermelon. We sent the question "What should be the amount of nitrates in watermelon" to the National Expert Center in the capital. The institution works in the field of ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.

According to the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union 021/2011 "On the safety of food products" (TR TC 021/2011 "Safety of food products"), the amount of nitrates in watermelon should not exceed 60 mg/kg, experts of the National Expert Center say.

This does not mean that watermelon does not contain nitrates at all. Only if it exceeds the above-mentioned indicator, nitrates turn into toxic nitrites, and hemoglobin in the blood turns into methemoglobin. This poses a great danger to the human body. When the nitrate content reaches 30%, symptoms of poisoning such as diarrhea, suffocation, tachycardia, weakness, and a drop in blood pressure appear. Experts warn that an increase in the concentration of methemoglobin in the blood can lead to a tragic situation.  

Specialists of the National Expert Center determine harmful substances in watermelon by the following methods:

  • The ionometric method is carried out in a laboratory, it is made in a special laboratory device with special solutions and electrodes.
  • Express method - using nitrate test sticks;
  • Through special "Morion" and "Soex" devices.

There is no shame in caution

Precautions should be taken when consuming any product. The same goes for watermelon. If symptoms of poisoning appear, it is better to seek medical help immediately.

Balzhan Smailova

Source:  inbusiness.kz