{"id":10168,"date":"2026-09-21T18:42:45","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T18:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/wiki-archiv\/wassermelone-citrullus-lanatus\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T18:42:45","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T18:42:45","slug":"wassermelone-citrullus-lanatus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wiki-archiv\/wassermelone-citrullus-lanatus\/","title":{"rendered":"Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"position:relative;width:100%;min-height:340px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2c3e6b,#4a5fa5,#7d8fd1);border-radius:12px;margin:0 0 24px 0;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:40px;\">\n<h1 style=\"color:#ffffff;margin:0;text-align:center;\">Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"eh-arch\">\n<div class=\"ea-steck\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Botanical name<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Citrullus lanatus<small>Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbitaceae)<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">is used<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">pulp, seeds, peel<small>Even the light-colored bark is edible.<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">The taste<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Sweet, juicy, refreshing<small>hardly any acid<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Origin<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Northeast Africa<small>in culture for over 4,000 years<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Known for<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Lycopene and citrulline<small>and approximately 92 % water<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">season<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">June to September<small>almost always imported, occasionally from Germany<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-body\">\n<nav class=\"ea-nav\">\n<div class=\"t\">On this page<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"#herkunft\">Origin<\/a><a href=\"#nutzen\">To use<\/a><a href=\"#inhalt\">Ingredients<\/a><a href=\"#kombi\">Reinforced combinations &amp; what clashes<\/a><a href=\"#gerichte\">In the kitchen<\/a><a href=\"#hausmittel\">As a home remedy<\/a><a href=\"#tradition\">Ayurveda &amp; TCM<\/a><a href=\"#warn\">Warning notices<\/a><a href=\"#passend\">Related to the topic<\/a><a href=\"#quellen\">Sources<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"box\"><b>In short<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The watermelon is related to the pumpkin and cucumber \u2013 and is made up of roughly nine-tenths water. Its red flesh provides lycopene, the pigment found in tomatoes, and the amino acid citrulline, which gives the fruit its name. It tastes sweet, but contains very little sugar per slice. Once cut, however, it should be refrigerated quickly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<div>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"herkunft\">\n<h2><span>Origin<\/span>The desert water bottle<\/h2>\n<div class=\"eh-kraeuter-img\"><img class=\"lazyload\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%27800%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201200%20800%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%27800%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/wassermelone-citrullus-lanatus.jpg\" alt=\"Wassermelonenscheiben mit Minze auf einem Holzbrett\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:14px;border:2px solid rgba(201,162,75,0.4);box-shadow:0 8px 24px rgba(23,58,36,0.15);\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"ea-satz\">Even in ancient Egypt, watermelons were placed next to the pharaohs as grave goods.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ea-drop\">The watermelon originated in Northeast Africa, where wild relatives still grow in Sudan and the Kalahari. Originally, the fruits were rather bitter and were valued primarily as a water reservoir for dry periods and for their seeds. Egyptian wall paintings depict melons more than 4,000 years ago. Via the Mediterranean, Persia, and India, it reached China \u2013 today by far the world&#039;s largest producer.<\/p>\n<p>Watermelons arrived in Central Europe via Spain with the Moors. Our watermelons mostly come from Spain, Italy, Greece, or Turkey, and from overseas in winter. For some years now, with warmer summers, they have also been cultivated in southern Germany, especially in Baden and the Palatinate. Besides the large, striped varieties, there are small, seedless mini-melons and yellow-fleshed varieties that contain primarily other carotenoids instead of lycopene.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"nutzen\">\n<h2><span>To use<\/span>What watermelon can do for you<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ea-drop\">100g of watermelon consists of approximately 92g of... <strong>Water<\/strong> and provide only about 30 kcal, a good 6 g of sugar, some vitamin C, potassium and magnesium. Their outstanding ingredient is <strong>Lycopene<\/strong>With approximately 4.5 mg per 100 g, it contains a similar amount to a fresh tomato. In a small study, lycopene and beta-carotene levels in the blood rose similarly after three weeks of watermelon juice consumption as after tomato juice consumption.<\/p>\n<p>The second special feature is <strong>Citrulline<\/strong>, Arginine is an amino acid that the body converts into arginine\u2014a building block for nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels. In one study, arginine levels in the blood increased after several weeks of drinking watermelon juice. Small pilot studies with watermelon extract found slightly reduced blood pressure; however, such an effect has not been proven for the whole fruit in normal quantities.<\/p>\n<p>Blood sugar levels warrant a second look: <strong>glycemic index<\/strong> Watermelon has a high INR of around 72 because its sugar is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. However, because it contains so little sugar, the <strong>glycemic load<\/strong> A 120g portion contains about 4 calories. A slice for dessert is therefore usually fine even for people with diabetes \u2013 half a melon at once, however, is not recommended.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ea-zahlen\">\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>approx. 92 %<\/b><span>Water<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>approximately 30 kcal<\/b><span>per 100 g<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>approx. 4.5 mg<\/b><span>Lycopene per 100 g<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>approximately 4<\/b><span>Glycemic load per 120g serving<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"inhalt\">\n<h2><span>Ingredients<\/span>This is what&#039;s in the watermelon<\/h2>\n<p>Watermelon contains water, sugar (primarily fructose, glucose, and sucrose), carotenoids such as lycopene and beta-carotene, the amino acids citrulline and arginine, vitamin C, vitamin A (as provitamin), potassium, magnesium, and small amounts of polyphenols. Citrulline is also abundant in the light-colored rind.<\/p>\n<p>The black <strong>kernels<\/strong> They are edible and have a completely different composition: Dried, they provide plenty of protein, fat, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Swallowed whole, they usually pass through the intestines undigested; roasted or sprouted, they become a nutty snack.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"kombi\">\n<h2><span>Enhanced combinations<\/span>What makes watermelon stronger<\/h2>\n<p>Watermelon likes salt, acidity and a little fat - and lots of cold.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ea-kombi\">\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Cheese<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>Feta<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Salty and sweet, the quintessential summer salad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Herbs<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>Mint or basil<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Freshness without sugar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">acid<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>lime<\/i><\/div>\n<p>It enhances sweetness and provides vitamin C.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Fat<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>olive oil or nuts<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Helps with the absorption of lycopene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">protein<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>yogurt or kernels<\/i><\/div>\n<p>It flattens the rise in blood sugar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Sharpness<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>Chili &amp; Salt<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Like in Mexican markets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"ea-beisst-h\"><span>What contradicts itself<\/span>It&#039;s best to avoid these combinations.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ea-kombi beisst\">\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">storage<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>Leave cut into pieces to stand warm<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Germs multiply rapidly in sweet juice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Knife<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>cut open without washing<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Germs from the peel get into the flesh of the fruit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Crowd<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>half a melon at once<\/i><\/div>\n<p>For people with diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome, it&#039;s better to eat in portions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Irritable bowel syndrome<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not at <i>Fructose intolerance<\/i> in quantities<\/div>\n<p>High in fructose and polyols.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">alcohol<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not as <i>Vodka melon<\/i><\/div>\n<p>You hardly notice the alcohol.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">storage<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>Store entirely in the refrigerator<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Cool temperatures are fine, but it loses its aroma if it gets too cold.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"gerichte\">\n<h2><span>In the kitchen<\/span>Where she belongs<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"ea-gerichte\">\n<li><span class=\"g\">Melon salad with feta<\/span><span class=\"w\">With mint, onion and olive oil.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">gazpacho<\/span><span class=\"w\">With tomato and cucumber.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Melon sorbet<\/span><span class=\"w\">Just fruit and a little lime.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Fresh water<\/span><span class=\"w\">Blended with water and lime.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Fruit skewers<\/span><span class=\"w\">With berries and mint.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Grilled melon<\/span><span class=\"w\">Briefly grilled with salt.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Salsa<\/span><span class=\"w\">With chili, coriander and lime.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Pickled bark<\/span><span class=\"w\">Sweet and sour, like in the Southern states.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Roasted kernels<\/span><span class=\"w\">With salt from the pan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Watermelon bowl<\/span><span class=\"w\">With yogurt and nuts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ea-tipp\"><b>Rule of thumb:<\/b> A ripe watermelon sounds hollow when tapped, feels heavy for its size, and has a yellow, not white, spot where it rested. Wash the rind before cutting, then cover the slices and store them in the refrigerator. Eat them within two to three days.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"hausmittel\">\n<h2><span>As a home remedy<\/span>Melon and lime water for hot days<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-rezept\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Here&#039;s how it works<\/div>\n<h3>Melon water<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Dice 300g of rindless watermelon, leaving the seeds in.<\/li>\n<li>Puree finely with the juice of half a lime and 300 ml of cold water.<\/li>\n<li>If desired, pour through a sieve and add a pinch of salt and a few mint leaves.<\/li>\n<li>Drink well chilled on the same day.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">For what<\/div>\n<p>A refreshing drink on hot days or after sports. It provides fluids, some potassium and a pinch of salt - without added sugar.<\/p>\n<div class=\"k\" style=\"margin-top:14px\">Crowd<\/div>\n<p>One to two glasses a day. If you have diabetes, it&#039;s better to have a piece of fruit than juice, because the sugar in the drink enters the bloodstream faster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"tradition\">\n<h2><span>Ayurveda &amp; TCM<\/span>What the old systems say<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-trad\">\n<div>\n<h3>Ayurveda<\/h3>\n<p>In Ayurveda, watermelon is considered cooling, sweet, and rich. It is recommended in summer to combat the heat and to calm Pitta. For Vata and Kapha doshas, it should only be eaten in moderation and not with other foods.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3>Traditional Chinese Medicine<\/h3>\n<p>In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), watermelon is considered cold and sweet. It is said to dispel summer heat, quench thirst, and promote urination. The rind (<em>Xi Gua Pi<\/em>It is also used. Caution is advised in cases of coldness in the digestive tract.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"warn\">\n<h2><span>Warning notices<\/span>When you should be careful<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-warn\">\n<h3>Please note<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Hygiene:<\/strong> Wash the peel before cutting, keep the pieces refrigerated and consume quickly.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Diabetes:<\/strong> High glycemic index - eat in portions, preferably as fruit rather than juice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fructose:<\/strong> In people with fructose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome, it can trigger bloating and diarrhea.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Allergy:<\/strong> Cross-reactions with grass and mugwort pollen, as well as with other cucurbit plants, are possible.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Potassium:<\/strong> If you have advanced kidney failure, consult your doctor before consuming larger quantities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"ea-hinw\">This page provides information and does not replace medical advice. If symptoms persist, please consult a doctor.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"passend\">\n<h2><span>Related to the topic<\/span>Read on and cook along!<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-passend\"><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/gurke-cucumis-sativus\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">Cucumber<\/span><span class=\"d\">The close relative.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/tomate-solanum-lycopersicum\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">tomato<\/span><span class=\"d\">The other source of lycopene.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/limette-citrus-aurantiifolia\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">lime<\/span><span class=\"d\">For agua fresca and salsa.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/pfefferminze-mentha-x-piperita\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">peppermint<\/span><span class=\"d\">Freshness for the melon salad.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/kuerbis-cucurbita-maxima\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">pumpkin<\/span><span class=\"d\">From the same family.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/basilikum-ocimum-basilicum\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">basil<\/span><span class=\"d\">Goes well with melon and feta.<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<p class=\"ea-hinw\">Shop links lead to our product pages; it is indicated there if a partner is involved.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k ea-quellen\" id=\"quellen\">\n<h2><span>Sources<\/span>What is this based on?<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>USDA FoodData Central: <em>Watermelon, raw<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>Edwards AJ et al. <em>Consumption of watermelon juice increases plasma concentrations of lycopene and beta-carotene in humans.<\/em> Journal of Nutrition 2003; 133(4): 1043\u20131050.<\/li>\n<li>Collins JK et al. <em>Watermelon consumption increases plasma arginine concentrations in adults.<\/em> Nutrition 2007; 23(3): 261\u2013266.<\/li>\n<li>Figueroa A et al. <em>Effects of watermelon supplementation on aortic blood pressure and wave reflection in individuals with prehypertension: a pilot study.<\/em> American Journal of Hypertension 2011; 24(1): 40-44.<\/li>\n<li>Atkinson FS, Foster-Powell K, Brand-Miller JC. <em>International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2008.<\/em> Diabetes Care 2008; 31(12): 2281\u20132283.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wassermelone (Citrullus lanatus) Botanischer Name Citrullus lanatusK\u00fcrbisgew\u00e4chse (Cucurbitaceae) Verwendet wird Fruchtfleisch, Kerne, Schaleauch die helle Rinde ist essbar Geschmack S\u00fc\u00df, saftig, erfrischendkaum S\u00e4ure Herkunft Nordostafrikaseit \u00fcber 4.000 Jahren in Kultur Bekannt f\u00fcr Lycopin und Citrullinund rund 92 % Wasser Saison Juni bis Septemberfast immer Import, vereinzelt aus Deutschland Auf dieser Seite HerkunftNutzenInhaltsstoffeVerst\u00e4rkte Kombis &amp; was<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10167,"parent":5278,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10168","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10168"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10168\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5278"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}