Watermelon Agua Fresca — The 5 Tastes Table (2024)

FAQs

What are the health benefits of watermelon agua fresca? ›

Pumper said there are beverages other than water you can drink that count toward hydration—for example, teas, coconut water, homemade agua fresca, broths, and smoothies.

Add watermelon, lime juice, and water to a blender then blend until very smooth. Strain liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher then add mint sprigs and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Add ice to the pitcher then serve with fresh lime wedges for garnish.

Aguas frescas offer more than great taste; they present a healthier alternative to sugary sodas and artificially flavored drinks. Additionally, they deliver a range of benefits, including essential vitamins and minerals to support your overall well-being.

“You can safely eat two servings of watermelon each day, but it's never a good idea to go on a diet that features only one type of food,” cautions Whitson. “A watermelon cleanse is a fad, like any other, and it will deprive your body of other nutrients it needs to function properly.”

Watermelon

Watermelon contains an amino acid called citrulline. The body converts citrulline to arginine, and this helps the body produce nitric oxide, a gas that relaxes blood vessels and encourages flexibility in arteries. These effects aid blood flow, which can lower high blood pressure.

Linares likes that homemade agua fresca, unlike sugary soft drinks, can be easily modified to individual taste as a healthier alternative. "And you can get some fiber, vitamins and minerals from the fruit, depending on the flavor and how it's made," she said.

If one were to eat a medium-sized wedge or slice of watermelon — a fruit with a high water content — let's say about 286 grams, the person would consume 262 grams of water. That is a good way to hydrate your body, but it is not twice as much water as an 8 ounce glass of water as the post claimed.

Agua fresca gives you extra flavor without turning to nasty sugary carbonated stuff. As a bonus, you get all that fruit and the nutritional benefits it provides! Plus, it just feels more special. And let's be honest: sometimes we need to feel special, am I right?!

Why is it called agua fresca? ›

Aguas frescas (English: cool waters, lit. 'fresh waters') are light non-alcoholic beverages made from one or more fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds blended with sugar and water.

Fruit juice is typically made by squeezing the liquid from the fruit; it may be somewhat diluted, but it is much more juice than water. Agua fresca starts with fresh drinking water, and the fruit is blended or squeezed into it, resulting in a much lighter and more refreshing drink that is composed mostly of water.

They're often found at farmer's markets, bodegas, and taquerias all across Latin America and now, the U.S. Healthy and refreshing, aguas frescas are low in added sugar and packed with fresh ingredients, making them perfect for adults and children alike! Plus, they're easy to make at home.

Aguas Frescas are beverages made with natural ingredients such as fresh fruits, herbs, flowers, and grains. They have a naturally low amount of calories and fat, and since they are low in calories, they can be an ideal choice for people trying to lose or maintain their current weight.

Although Fresca does not contain sugar, it is still an acidic beverage due to the presence of citric acid. Acidic beverages can erode tooth enamel over time, leading to dental problems such as tooth sensitivity and cavities.

As for cleansing the body, nutrition experts like Mauney are quick to point out that no food item will flush toxins from your system. Your body already has a natural detoxification system thanks to your liver and kidneys, and focusing on one particular food like watermelon is not going to impact that.

Watermelon is rich in an amino acid called citrulline that may help move blood through your body and can lower your blood pressure. Your heart also enjoys the perks of all the lycopene watermelon contains. Studies show that it may lower your risk of heart attacks.

Multiple studies have shown that a bioactive compound (lycopene) present in watermelon juice might have the potential to protect cells from oxidative stress and free radicals by exhibiting potential antioxidant activity (neutralising free radicals).