Day 23: 

Juice: Waterapple

Waterapple:
3 Apple
2 Thick Slices of Watermelon
1 Lime

Now, I don't like watermelon. I'm just not a fan, but juicing it is fine, especially if it is mixed with other stuff. Since I don't like watermelon I didn't want a whole melon lying around, instead I went to the corner grocer and purchased pre-cut watermelon. When doing this, look for the date on the package - usually it will have the date it was packaged, not an expiration date - try to find one that was packaged within a day or so.

Fun fact: Sometimes you see fruit salad with a slice of orange. This is because Vitamin C helps slow down the oxidization process. If you ever want to make some juice to go, Vitamin C powder should help it keep. Also, be sure to refrigerate it.

Watermelon is 92% water, which is where it gets its name. It is low in calories and refreshing on a hot summer day. Watermelons are believed to have actually originated in Africa several thousand years ago. They are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Cucurbitaceae family consists of various squashes, melons, and gourds, including crops such as cucumber, pumpkins, luffas, and watermelons.

Besides being a great source of Vitamin C and A, Watermelons are a great source of beta-carotene (See Day 6 for more), potassium and magnesium. It also turns out that watermelons are an anti-inflammatory powerhouse with an array of phenolic (Definition of Phenolic) compounds like our friendly neighborhood flavonoids (See Day 11 for more), carotenoids, and triterpenoids. Recent studies have also shown that watermelons may be "especially important for our cardiovascular health" (Source) because of a carotenoid called lycopene. Cancer.org describes lycopene as:

"...one of the major carotenoids in the diet of North Americans and Europeans. Carotenoids are pigments that give yellow, red, and orange vegetables and fruits their colors...lycopene may lower the risk of heart disease; macular degenerative disease, an age-related illness that can lead to blindness; and lipid oxidation, the damage to normal fat molecules that can cause inflammation and disease. It is also said to lower LDL ("bad" cholesterol), enhance the body's defenses, and protect enzymes, DNA, and cellular fats. A major claim for lycopene's benefits is in the prevention and treatment of cancers of the lung, prostate, stomach, bladder, cervix, skin, and, especially, prostate." (Source Page)

 So even I, who is more against watermelon than for it, will recommend you add it to juices...frequently. To fight the bad, ingest the good!