If you're in the mood for upping your antioxidant levels -- antioxidants can cancel out the cell-damaging effects of free radicals, thus lowering the risk of cancer -- here's one quick and easy tip for you: keep your watermelons warm.Research shows that watermelons stored at room temperatures have much higher levels of antioxidants (beta-carotene and lycopene) than those kept chilled in the fridge. Warm watermelons are even better than fresh-picked melons.
One caution: once cut, watermelons must refrigerated. So try to enjoy your watermelons as soon as you slice and dice them. Then keep your leftovers cool.
Source: Good Housekeeping, July 2007
1. Watermelon contains more lycopene than tomatoes
http://www.neutral-izer.blogspot.com/2007/06/watermelon-has-more-lycopene-than.html
I like to eat watermelons when it's chilled. But if antioxidant levels are higher when it's warm, then I'll better eat them warm next time.
The more the antioxidants, the better.
Posted at 11:37AM on Aug 21st 2007 by Jess