The warmest season of the year, summer, has officially arrived. On this occasion, as dietetyk Wrocław we would like to present and briefly describe our must-have food products for this season, which will certainly help you survive the upcoming heat wave.
Watermelon
A characteristic fruit with red flesh, black seeds and hard green skin – watermelon is undoubtedly one of the symbols of the holidays. It is characterized not only by its delicious taste, but also by its high water content, which constitutes approx. 92% of its mass. This of course affects the quenching of thirst on hot days. The rest of the fruit consists of many health-promoting ingredients, including:
- lycopene, belonging to the group of carotenoids – is characterized by strong antioxidant properties, has preventive effects on many diseases of civilization (atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease, heart attack, stroke and diabetes), neurodegenerative diseases, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers (especially breast, cervical, prostate, lung and melanoma). In addition, lycopene slows down the skin aging process;
- citrulline, a chemical compound belonging to the group of non-protein amino acids. It participates in the conversion of ammonia, which is harmful to the body, into safe urea, as well as in the dilation of blood vessels, which improves blood flow and tissue oxygenation. Interestingly, citrulline was first discovered in watermelon and it is from its Latin name Citrullus vulgaris that it derives its name;
- fiber, which has a positive effect on intestinal function and the microbiome;
- vitamins: A, C, E and from group B;
- mineral salts: phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron.
In addition to eating traditional watermelon “triangles”, it is worth trying a different way of serving this fruit this summer – for example, dice it, freeze it and use it as an addition to drinks.
Broad beans
A representative of legumes, enjoying unflagging interest every year during the holiday season. What’s more, as various statistics show, there has been an upward trend in the level of consumption of this seed for a decade. Why is broad beans so popular? Not only is it a delicious symbol of summer, but it is also a very healthy product. Like all legume seeds, it is characterized by a high protein content, which is why people on vegetarian and vegan diets are particularly keen to reach for it. Broad beans are also a good source of dietary fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the work of the intestines, as well as vitamins and minerals: iron, magnesium, sodium, copper and folates – the latter are especially important during pregnancy.
Cucumbers
A green vegetable that is exceptionally appreciated in our country – it is estimated that the average Pole consumes over 6 kg of this product per year (data from 2014). Like the watermelon described above, cucumbers are also characterized by a significant water content, which constitutes an average of 95% of their weight, so they can quench thirst. The nutritional value of cucumbers is not high, but due to the content of alkaline (base) compounds, they have a deacidifying effect on the body. They contain small amounts of vitamins and minerals, and also the substance cucurbitacin, which has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal, as well as choleretic effects. It is worth introducing cucumber as an addition to salad, cold soup or as a stand-alone snack.
Berries
This is an extremely interesting group of fruits, which, due to the high content of nutrients and bioactive compounds, and therefore a number of health-promoting properties, is included in the category of so-called. “superfoods”.
Berries are an excellent source of antioxidants, such as vitamin C and polyphenols (including resveratrol, ellagic acid, flavonoids, anthocyanins), which have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-aging, and preventive effects on many lifestyle diseases (obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, hypertension, atherosclerosis), but also increase immunity and reduce oxidative stress. In addition, berries contain a lot of dietary fiber, which has a positive effect on intestinal peristalsis, reduces the feeling of hunger, and also reduces the risk of kidney stones and colon cancer.
Berries are a group represented by many representatives, among which everyone will surely find something for themselves. These include:
- strawberries;
- raspberries;
- blueberries;
- blueberries;
- wild strawberries;
- currants;
- gooseberries;
- blackberries.
They can be smuggled into your diet in many ways, whether in a sweet form: in cocktails, an addition to salad or oatmeal, or as an element of dishes dry.
Tomatoes
Chocolate, raspberry, cherry, buffalo heart – the tomato is a vegetable that is certainly characterized by a multitude of varieties. Although these days you can easily buy tomatoes at any time of the year, they are undoubtedly the tastiest in the summer. In addition to taste, they provide the body with many valuable ingredients. One of them is the already mentioned lycopene, a representative of carotenoids. Another substance is beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, which has antioxidant properties. Tomatoes are also an extremely valuable source of vitamins, mainly those soluble in water: C, B1, B3, B3, B5, B7 and folates. Of the fat-soluble vitamins, tomatoes contain vitamin K. When it comes to minerals, tomatoes are an excellent source of potassium – this element has a preventive effect on cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.
Water
During this period, of course, you cannot forget about drinking water, of which you should consume approx. 30 ml per kilogram of body weight (i.e. a person weighing 70 kg should drink 2.1 l of water). Water is an essential element for life, so in the summer, when people lose it through sweat due to the heat, it is especially important to take care of the appropriate level of hydration.
This is just a fraction of what summer has to offer us culinary-wise. There are still many products typical for this time of year, so it is worth taking advantage of the seasonality and looking for new flavors.
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