The July 13, 2002 edition of _Science News_ that arrived today has some
interesting articles.  Viz:

"Watermelon red means lycopene rich"
Excerpt:   "New chemical analyses by USDA scientists show that the red part
of watermelon can have about 40 percent more lycopene than an equivalent
weight of uncooked tomatoes has.  More importantly, a second study finds,
raw watermelon's lycopene is available to the body whereas little of a
tomato's lycopene is absorbed unless it's first cooked....Besides conferring
some protection against prostate and other cancers, studies indicate that
lycopene may help resist *sunburn.*"

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With regard to recent discussions, have those of you who have noticed less
sunburn perchance been eating watermelon?
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"Tomato compound repels mosquitos"
"A compound in tomatoes that protects them from plant-eating insects" has
been found to repel *mosquitos*, cockroaches, ticks, and fleas.  North
Carolina State Univ has obtained a patent for the compound now known as
IBI-246.  It has proved 91% effective in deterring mosquito landings, and
100% effective at repelling bites.

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In light of recent discussions of fewer mosquito bites as a result of going
paleo, I'm wondering if you guys have significantly upped your tomato
intake?
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"Ginseng extract halts diabetes in mice"
 "[E]xtracts from the *berry* [not root] of Panax Ginseng can counter
obesity and insulin resistance in mice."   (cf. June _Diabetes_)

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Mental meandering:  I wonder if Paleo humans ever ate Ginseng berries?
Though not that they ever probably would  have "needed" to.
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Theola