Watermelon Spinach Smoothie

I have always loved watermelons.  They taste like summer.  When I was a child, my grandparents always had several large gardens and Granddaddy would say he planted an extra row of watermelons just for me.  Some summers we would have so many watermelons that they were literally served with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.  I never complained!  And it turns out that these sweet delicious gifts from the earth are good for you!

Watermelon Nutrition and Health Benefits

While watermelons are low in most vitamins and minerals, they are a good source of vitamin C and beta-carotene (which your body synthesizes into vitamin A). Watermelons with red flesh have more lycopene than tomatoes, which is a nutrient believed to protect against prostate cancer.  Since watermelons are primarily water, they also provide necessary hydration.

Watermelons do contain two interesting nutrients which are found especially abundant in the edible rind: citrulline and arginine. Citrulline has been shown to boost heart health, the immune system and help with weight loss and type 2 diabetes. Arginine boosts nitric oxide in the body which helps relax blood vessels and can treat and prevent erectile dysfunction. Some say watermelon is nature’s answer to Viagra! Arginine also removes toxins from the body.

Today's smoothie combines watermelon with other super foods like mango, pineapple and spinach, all rich in fiber and other vitamins and nutrients also known to improve eye sight, lower blood pressure and help prevent cancer.  So, enjoy the health benefits along with the delicious tastes of summer in this watermelon green smoothie.

Watermelon Spinach Smoothie

8 oz Fat Free Greek Yogurt, Vanilla Flavor

1 c Watermelon, chunks

½ c Mango, chunks frozen

½ c Pineapple, chunks frozen

1 c Spinach, frozen

½ c Cashew Milk, unsweetened

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

(20 g Protein, 1 g Fat, 4 g Fiber)