Watermelon happens to be a delicious and refreshing fruit and is healthy to eat too. The Health benefits of watermelon are manifold.
It is high in vitamin C, vitamin A and also in several healthy plant compounds.
Table of Contents
1. Helps To Hydrate
Drinking water is an important way to keep the body hydrated.
However, eating foods consisting of high water content can also help. Watermelon is 92% water. On account of its water content, a person having it feels full.
The combination of water and fiber means having food without a lot of calories.
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2. Contains Nutrients and Beneficial Plant Compounds
Watermelon is low in calories. It contains:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Vitamins B1, B5, and B6
Watermelon is also high in carotenoids, which do include beta-carotene and lycopene. It also has citrulline, an important amino acid.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that does help prevent cell damage from free radicals.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a class of plant compounds that includes alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, which one’s body converts to vitamin A.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a type of carotenoid that does not change into vitamin A. This potent antioxidant does add red color to plant foods such as tomatoes and watermelon.
Cucurbitacin E
Cucurbitacin E is a plant compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Bitter melon, a relative of watermelon, contains even more cucurbitacin E.
3. Contains Compounds That May Help Prevent Cancer
Researchers have rather studied lycopene and other individual plant compounds in watermelon for their anti-cancer effects.
4. May Improve Heart Health
Lifestyle factors, including diet, may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke by reducing blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels.
Lycopene in watermelon may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It can also help prevent oxidative damage to cholesterol
In obese, postmenopausal women, lycopene may also reduce the stiffness and thickness of artery walls.
Watermelon also contains citrulline, an amino acid that may increase nitric oxide levels in the body. Nitric oxide helps one’s blood vessels expand, which lowers blood pressure.
Other vitamins and minerals in watermelon are also good for your heart. These include vitamins A, B6, C, magnesium, and potassium.
5. May Lower Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Inflammation is a cause of several chronic diseases.
Watermelon may help lower inflammation and oxidative damage, as it is rich in the anti-inflammatory antioxidants lycopene and vitamin C As an antioxidant, lycopene may also benefit one’s brain health. It may help delay the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
6. May Help Prevent Macular Degeneration
Lycopene is present in several parts of the eye and it helps protect against oxidative damage and inflammation.
It may also prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This happens to be a common eye problem that can cause blindness in older adults.
7. May Help Relieve Muscle Soreness
Citrulline, an amino acid in watermelon, may reduce muscle soreness.
Watermelon drinks reduce muscle soreness and there is quicker heart rate recovery, compared to citrulline on its own.
8. Is Good for Skin and Hair
Both vitamins in watermelon, A and C, are vital for skin and hair health.
Vitamin C does help the body make collagen, a protein that does keep the skin supple and the hair strong.
Vitamin A is also important for healthy skin since and helps create and repair skin cells. Without enough vitamin A, the skin can look dry and flaky.
Both lycopene and beta-carotene may also help protect the skin from sunburn.
Conclusion
It is obvious there are many health benefits of watermelon and naturally consuming it is good for overall health.