Watermelon is a superfood that’s packed with antioxidants and nutrients, and there are several health benefits of watermelon. Not only does it help keep you hydrated, but it can also help improve your health and prevent certain illnesses. Watermelon is a sweet and juicy, so it’s perfect for quenching your thirst in the summer heat. And above, it’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and all the natural sugars you need to satisfy a sweet tooth. Watermelon is about 90% water, so it’s a great choice for staying hydrated during the summer. It has many nutrients which can help keep you healthy.
Here are 12 of the top health benefits of eating watermelon.
1.Healthier Heart
You can protect your heart disease free by eating right and exercising, but lifestyle selections like diet and exercise can also play a role. Watermelon is packed with nutrients that can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and prevent oxidative damage. Additionally, it’s packed with lycopene, which can help lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. Watermelon could help by reducing inflammation related to LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, and phytosterols, which are plant compounds that can help manage LDL cholesterol. So, make sure you’re eating right, exercising, cutting down on saturated fats, and following your doctor’s advice to keep your heart healthy.
2.Relieves muscle soreness
Watermelon has been found to contain an amino acid called citrulline, which has been linked to better exercise performance and less muscle soreness. Additionally, it improve aerobic performance by increasing nitric oxide production. This compound benefits to widen the blood vessels, reducing the need for the heart to work harder to pump blood through the body. Furthermore, there is some evidence that watermelon itself may aid the body after exercise.
3.Supports you stay hydrated
Watermelon is made up of 92% water, so it’s a great option for your daily water intake. Additionally, it has a really low calorie density – meaning it has very few calories per pound. It helps hydration, which is key to keeping your body in tip-top shape. It’s liable for regulating body temperature, keeping your organs healthy, delivering nutrients to your cells, and keeping you alert. Eating foods that are high in water can help your body stay hydrated. You can eat it fresh as a juice or frozen for a yummy Popsicle-like snack during the summer.
4.Filled with nutrients
Watermelon is rich in potassium, magnesium, vitamins A and C, and other essential nutrients. It is also low in calories, with only 46 calories per cup of watermelon (152 grams). 1 cup (152 g) of watermelon contains 46 calories, 11.5 g of carbohydrates, 9.4 g of sugar, and many other essential nutrients. Citrulline is an amino acid found in watermelon that may help increase exercise performance. Antioxidants found in watermelon include vitamin C, which helps fight against free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to cells if they build up in the body, leading to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
5.May have anticancer effects
Watermelon contains a bunch of plant compounds that could help fight cancer. Several studies have found that eating more lycopene could lower the risk of certain types of cancer like prostate and colon cancer. Moreover, it lower your risk of diabetes and cancer. Watermelon has the most lycopene of any fruit or vegetable, even tomatoes. To get the most out of your lycopene, pick melons with bright red flesh, not yellow or orange. The riper the better. Seeds-free melons tend to have the highest amount of lycopene.
6.Soothes Your Skin
Watermelon contains vitamins A and C, both of which are essential for skin health. When consumed or applied topically, vitamin C helps your body produce collagen — a protein that helps keep your skin elastic and your hair healthy. According to study, eating more vitamin C from food may reduce your risk of wrinkle and dry skin. Vitamin A is important for healthy skin because it helps your body create and repair your skin cells.
7.Improves digestion
Watermelon is an essential nutrient for healthy digestion due to its high water content and small amount of fiber. Fiber helps to maintain bowel habits, while water facilitates the passage of waste through the digestive tract. If you suffer from a digestive condition, there is a long list of foods that should not be consumed during a flare. Watermelon can be added to this list, as its soft, fleshy pulp is easy to digest, even in an inflamed gut. Nevertheless, it is important to avoid eating the rind or seeds if you are looking to limit fiber intake.
8.Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress
Many chronic diseases are caused by inflammation. The antioxidants in watermelon, such as lycopene and vitamin C, may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. In few study, people who were overweight and had high inflammatory markers were given 500 mg of Vitamin C twice daily for 8 weeks. The participants showed a significant reduction in inflammatory markers. Lycopene, another antioxidant, may also help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. More research is needed.
9.Metabolic syndrome
Some research found that watermelon could help people with metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by obesity and other health issues. A clinical trial was conducted with overweight or obese individuals, and they were asked to eat either a portion of watermelon daily for four weeks, or a portion of a reduced-fat cookie daily for the same period of time. The participants who consumed the watermelon reported feeling less hungry and more content than those who consumed the cookies.
At the end of the four-week period, the participants had increased antioxidant levels in the blood, a decrease in Body Mass Index (BMI), a decrease in Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), and an improvement in the waist-to-hip ratio. Moreover, the participants who consumed the cookies had increased oxidative stress compared to those who consumed watermelon. Additionally, the participants had elevated blood pressure and increased body fat. So, it looks like watermelon might be a good snack option for people with metabolic syndrome.
10.Brain and nervous system
Choline is an antioxidant found in watermelon that helps with muscle movement, learning, memory, cell membrane repair, nerve transmission, and early brain development. It’s thought that choline could help slow down dementia in Alzheimer’s, but there’s not enough proof to back this up.
11.Asthma prevention
According to some scientists, free radicals are a major cause of asthma. Certain antioxidants, such as vitamin C, are found in the lungs and may lower the risk of developing asthma. While there is no definitive evidence that vitamin C supplements prevent asthma, eating a high-quality vitamin C diet may provide some protection. For example, a cup of 154 g watermelon balls contains 12.5 mg vitamin C, which is about 14% to 16% of your daily needs.
12.Prevent macular degeneration
Lycopene, a compound found in melon, could be beneficial to your eyes. AMD, or Age-related Macular Degeneration, is a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness in the elderly. It’s possible that lycopene could help prevent or stop AMD. A study in a test-tube showed that when lycopene was given to eye cells, it reduced the amount of inflammatory markers that could damage the cells. But keep in mind that this research needs further to done.
Other Health Benefits of Watermelon –
Sun Benefit:
Pigments in plants help protect your skin from the sun, and eating them might even help protect your skin. Watermelon contains lycopene, which could make you less likely to get a sunburn. But that’s not a guarantee, so make sure you’re using your sunscreen with a 30 or higher SPF every day.
Protects Your Joints:
Watermelon has a pigment in it that can help keep your joints from getting too inflamed. Studies have shown that if you eat melon for a while, you might be less likely to get Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Easy on Your Eyes:
A medium-sized piece of watermelon contains 9 to 11% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin A. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for eye health.
Satisfies Your Sweet Tooth:
Ice cream costs around 300 calories, but a cup of watermelon is only 45.6. Additionally, it’s free of fat, cholesterol, and sodium. To make a simple sorbet, just mix up some watermelon, squeeze a lime, and put it in the freezer to harden.
Boosts Your Workout:
The high water content, antioxidant properties, and amino acids of watermelon may contribute to a more effective workout. Potassium, a mineral that may reduce muscle cramping at the gym, is also present in watermelon juice. Drinking watermelon juice after exercise may help to reduce muscle soreness, provided that exercise is not strenuous.
Choose a Good One:
When you’re picking a melon, make sure it’s clean and free of any dents, scratches, or cuts. Look for the yellow spot at the bottom, not the white one. This tells you when the melon is ripe. If it’s juicy and ready to eat, it’ll feel heavier than it is, and when you hit, it should make a hollow sound.
Safely Cut and Store Your Melon:
Before slicing, make sure to wash the outside of the melon. You don’t want the knife to spread germs inside. Melons taste best immediately after slicing, but you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze them. The watermelon won’t stay fresh, but it can thaw and be used in smoothies.
Conclusion
Watermelon is a super yummy fruit that’s great for quenching your thirst in the summer. It’s got a lot of water in it, plus it’s packed with vitamins and minerals like lycopene and citrulline. Scientists think it might even help your heart, reduce muscle pain, and reduce inflammation, but more research is needed.
FAQ
Is watermelon good for weight loss?
Watermelon is a great choice for weight loss because it’s packed with water and low in calories, so you can eat less and still feel full. Plus, it’s packed with vitamins and minerals, so it’s a great way to keep your weight in check while still eating healthily.
Does watermelon help with hydration?
Yes, watermelon is a great fruit for hydration because it contains around 90% water. When you consume watermelon on a regular basis, it helps to keep your body hydrated. Watermelon also contains electrolytes such as potassium, which help to replace lost minerals during sweating and support good hydration levels.
Is watermelon high in antioxidants?
Yes, melon is rich in antioxidants, especially lycopene which makes melon red. Lycopene neutralizes harmful free radicals in your body, improving your overall health and lowering your risk of chronic diseases.
Is watermelon good for skin?
Yes, melon is good for your skin, because it contains a lot of water, which helps to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated. It also contains vitamin A and vitamin C. Vitamin A and vitamin C are important for healthy skin and can help to make your skin look more radiant.
Does watermelon have any nutritional value?
The nutritional value of watermelon is high due to its low calorie content and its high content of essential nutrients. Watermelon is a great source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-complex, and Minerals such as potassium and magnesium. Furthermore, it is a source of Antioxidants such as lycopene which may have a variety of health benefits.
Reference Used:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/watermelon-health-benefits
https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-watermelon-health-benefits
