Watermelon is one of the best fruits nature gave mankind. It is delicious, full of water, refreshing, and contains just 46 calories every cup. There are many types of watermelon such as seedless, seeded, red, and orange.
This amazing fruit is loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, and other healthy compounds. It is a great source of lycopene and antioxidants.
You can also eat watermelon seeds, which are rich in minerals like copper, zinc, iron, and manganese.
These are the health benefits of watermelon;
1. Help prevent cancer
2. Help prevent asthma
3. Reduces kidney disorders
4. Hydrates your body
5. Lowers blood pressure
6. Good for your heart
7. Improves digestion
8. Muscle soreness
9. Lowers inflammation
10. Improves immunity
- Help prevent cancer
Watermelon can lower the risk of cancer as it is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which help fight the free radical formation in the body. Free radicals are known to cause cancer.
Also, lycopene, which is present in watermelon, has been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. Lycopene seems to lower the risk of cancer by reducing insulin-growth factor (IGF), which is a protein involved in the division of cells. A higher concentration of IGF is associated with cancer).
- Help prevent asthma
Certain nutrients protect an individual against the risk of developing asthma and vitamin C is one of those nutrients. Eating watermelon will help prevent asthma as it is rich in vitamin C.
- Reduces kidney disorders
Watermelon is a great source of potassium and calcium, it helps in flushing out the toxins from your body. Calcium helps in lowering the amount of uric acid in the blood, thereby lowering the chance of kidney diseases.
Calcium also plays an important role in the cell differentiation process, maintains cell structure, and regulates cell functions.
- Hydrates your body
Loaded with electrolytes and water, watermelon will help you to stay hydrated during the summer season. The fruit is 92 percent water and will make you feel full. Since the fruit is low in calories, you can eat a large amount of the fruit without feeling guilty.
- Lowers blood pressure
Watermelon contains citrulline, an amino acid, which is converted into arginine by the body. This arginine along with citrulline helps nitric oxide production, Nitric oxide dilates and relaxes the blood vessels, lowering the blood pressure.
Also, watermelon contains carotenoids, which help prevent the veins and arteries from hardening, helping lower the chances of atherosclerosis and blood clots
- Good for your heart
Lycopene present in the watermelon has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and lowers the risk of myocardial infarction.
Including watermelon in your diet will help you to reduce the chances of stroke and heart attack by decreasing cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
- Improves digestion
Watermelon is one of the best home remedies for constipation. As the fruit contains fibre and water, it improves the health of the digestive tract. So, instead of drinking just plain water, eat watermelon or drink watermelon juice to improve your digestion
- Muscle soreness
Watermelon contains L-citrulline, which helps to relieve muscle soreness, enhance physical performance, and promote muscle relaxation.
The compound L-citrulline also protects against pain in the muscle. It is advisable to drink watermelon juice prior to your workout as it enhances performance and intense training.
- Lowers inflammation
Watermelon contains vitamin C and lycopene, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Eating the fruit may help lower oxidative damage and inflammation. Lycopene may also be beneficial for the health of your brain.
- Improves immunity
Watermelon can help improve your immunity as it contains a high concentration of vitamin C.
According to research, the concentration of vitamin C in the body declines rapidly when you are under stress or have an infection.
So, supplementing vitamin C will help your immune system by improving lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activities, and antimicrobial activities.
