Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

Hi there! Today is another cool-me-down smoothie that is perfect for those hot, humid days. After all, nothing epitomizes the sensation of summer better than a fun, fresh, delicious healthy drink, right?! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this recipe, I’ve been OBSESSED. It seriously tastes like a milkshake, you have to try this. Enjoy and as always do let me know if you end up trying it!:)

Nutrition Spotlight: Watermelon

Watermelon is one of the greatest sources of high-lycopene foods consumed today. Part of the plant species Citrullus lanatus, watermelon has a particularly high water content of 92%, hence its delicious thirst-quenching juicy and crunchy texture! While we often consume watermelon that is a red, pinkish in color in its flesh, there are actually other varieties of watermelon that are yellow, white, or orange in color. Of course, the greater the pink to red colors in flesh, the greater the source of vitamin A carotenoid lycopene can be found in the watermelon.

Loaded with a plethora of nourishing nutrients and vitamins, watermelon is rich in electrolytes and water content and contains a good source of vitamin C, A, B-6, potassium, and magnesium. It has also been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Vitamin C: As I have learned in my Nutrient Metabolism class, vitamin C is an antioxidant and functions as an electron donor or reducing agent to protect the body from free radicals. Basically, free radicals are molecules that contain one or more unpaired electrons in their outer shell and have the potential of damaging other molecules in the body such as proteins, phospholipids, and DNA in cells. Vitamin C stimulates the activity of white blood cells in the immune system that helps us fight against foreign bodies, harmful oxygen-free radicals, and toxins in the body. Adequate intake of Vitamin C prevents scurvy, a type of vitamin C deficiency that is characterized by signs and symptoms such as loose and decaying teeth, easy bruising, and bleeding gums.

Vitamin A: As I have learned in my Nutrient Metabolism class, vitamin A is a type of fat-soluble vitamin that can be divided into retinoids and carotenoids. Retinoids are essential to the diet and are known as preformed vitamin A, while carotenoids are not considered essential to the diet and can be in the forms of beta-carotene, lycopene, and more. Watermelon contains vitamin A in the form of carotenoids and is especially high in lycopene. In fact, the National Watermelon Promotion Board claims that watermelon has 15 to 20 mg of lycopene per 2-cup serving. So what’s so great about lycopene? Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. Because of its no-ring, linear structure with long, unsaturated bonds, lycopene is hydrophobic and in vitro the strongest antioxidant of the carotenoids!

Vitamin B-6: As I have learned in my Nutrient Metabolism class, vitamin B-6 in its coenzyme forms aids primarily in protein metabolism—specifically amino acid metabolism—in its active coenzyme forms pyridoxal 5’ phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxamine 5’ phosphate (PMP). PLP additionally plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. Vitamin B-6 is also involved in glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, cognitive development and immune function.

Potassium: Potassium, an electrolyte, is a mineral that is necessary for proper functioning in your body. As I have learned in my Nutrient Metabolism class, potassium plays a role in controlling the balance of acids and bases in the human body, as well as building proteins, maintaining normal body growth, and controlling the electrical activity of the heart.

Magnesium: Manganese, a type of trace mineral, functions in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, calcium absorption, regulation of blood sugar, and normal brain and nerve function.

Recipe: Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

2 cups of cold, diced watermelon
1 cup of fresh, ripe strawberries
3/4 cup of Original Silk Soymilk (or milk of choice)

Directions: Toss all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Tips:

If the texture is too thick for your liking, add more milk and/or watermelon.
If the texture is too thin for your liking, add more strawberries.
For more of a strawberry flavor, add more strawberries.
For more of a watermelon flavor, add more watermelon.
Try to use as ripe strawberries as possible for a sweeter taste!
Feel free to add ice cubes to this recipe for a thinner texture and/or a cooler drink.