Fwd: [SoFlaVegans] Watermelons produce more nutrients after being picked...

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Note: forwarded message attached.Ronald A. Fells

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Watermelons produce more nutrients after being picked,

but not if refrigerated

NewsTarget

July 31 2006

 

http://www.newstarget.com/z019816.html

http://www.newstarget.com/019816.html

 

Refrigeration may make food last longer, but it can

reduce the nutritional benefits of some foods,

according to a USDA study.

 

Penelope Perkins-Vazie and Julie Collins of the

association's South Central Agricultural Research

Laboratory in Lane, Okla. tested several popular

varieties of watermelon for levels of carotenoids -- a

nutrient that can repair damage from the sun,

chemicals, and everyday living -- and the antioxidant

lycopene, which may help prevent heart disease and

some forms of cancer.

 

The watermelons were stored for 14 days at 41, 55 and

70 degrees Fahrenheit. The researchers found the fruit

actually produced more nutrients after picking, even

though the watermelons were selected by commercial

growers as " fully ripe when harvested. "

 

However, the study also showed that chilling slowed

this process. Watermelons stored at room temperature

(70 degrees) contained up to 40 percent more lycopene

and 50 to 139 percent more beta-carotene, which the

body transforms into vitamin A.

 

While most people turn to refrigeration to increase

the life of perishables, the researchers wrote that

watermelons were the exception. " The usual shelf life

for watermelons is 14 to 21 days at 55 F after

harvest, " they wrote. " At refrigerated temperatures,

like 41 degrees, watermelon starts to decay and

develop lesions after a week. "

 

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