Guest Columnist
Many of you have spent a lifetime either removing seeds before eating watermelons, or else spitting them out while eating, often aiming at a relative or friend! Some were told the seeds would accumulate in your appendix forcing an emergency operation, germinate and start growing a watermelon inside you, or slowly fill up your stomach, all of which would mandate emergency surgery. Some were even told that choking on the seeds was a distinct possibility! In reality, watermelon seeds do not stay inside you, do not germinate and start to grow, and do not accumulate in your appendix causing it to burst! Watermelon seeds simply pass right through your digestive tract without being digested.
Therefore, you don't need to spit them out, particularly at someone else! I've swallowed them whole my entire adult life, simply because it was easier than trying to sort them out before spitting. Only recently have I learned that watermelon seeds are a healthy supplement and have several micro-nutrients in them. Additionally, they raise your immunity levels and are good for your heart. For diabetics, they help keep blood sugar levels at lower levels. Further, you can let them dry out and be eaten later as a snack like many other seeds. You can eat them alone, mix with other seeds, or put them in salads.
Watermelon seeds are low in calories. While an ounce contains nearly 160 calories it takes around 400 seeds to make an ounce! The seeds also contain minerals such as magnesium, iron, folic acid and some good fats. Compared to other healthy snacks, watermelon seeds come out a winner. Incidentally, mature seeds are black, and immature seeds are white.
Eating watermelon seeds is safe, but if you have diverticulitis, you should check with your doctor before eating any seeds or nuts.
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