Watermelon is perhaps the most refreshing, thirst quenching fruit of all, it has everything you need to beat the scorching summer heat. Watermelon consists of 92% water and 8% sugar, so it is aptly named. It is rich in beta-carotene, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B5 and smaller amounts of B1, B2, B3 and B6. Recent research is showing that eating this sweet tasting melon can have some significant health benefits. So what are the health benefits of watermelon?
High Blood Pressure
This is a natural remedy for high blood pressure. Watermelon contains an amino acid called L-citrulline, which has been overwhelmingly proven to improve blood flow and relaxing blood vessels. It might also serve as an adjunct therapy for people with high blood pressure who take medications – allowing them to lower their dose.
Heart health
Lycopene, a carotenoid found in abundance in watermelon, improves cardiac functions. Lycopene benefits also include protecting your skin from UV damage that can lead to photoaging, wrinkles and skin cancer. In addition, watermelon contain a good amount of potassium which helps in curing heart disease keeping heart healthy. This is one of the best nutritional benefit of watermelon.
Weight Loss Benefits
Fruit is ideal for your weight loss diet because most fruit is low in calories, rich in fiber and high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support your overall health. Watermelon is an excellent addition to a weight loss plan, particularly in summer when it is plentiful and fresh. Drinking a glass of watermelon juice before a meal is great for hydration, high in nutrition and very low in calories (just 30 calories per 100 g)– all helpful for losing weight.
Natural Viagra
Watermelon may be a natural Viagra, says a researcher. That’s because watermelon is a rich source of amino acid called citrulline, one of it benefits is that they relax the blood vessels that supply an erection, just as Viagra and other drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction.
Relieve Muscle Soreness
The power of citrulline in watermelon continues. Since the citrulline helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation, eating watermelon could be an effective means of alleviating the pain associated with muscle soreness. One study found that men who drank natural unpasteurized watermelon juice prior their workouts had reduced muscle soreness 24 hours later compared to those who drank a placebo.
Keeps Renal Healthy
Watermelon juice is great for your kidneys, having a highly cleansing effect when you drink it. Watermelons contain a lot of potassium, that’s working to reduce the concentration of uric acid in the blood. Thus reducing the chance of forming kidney stones. Moreover, being high in water content, it induces frequent urinating, which is again helpful for cleaning of the kidneys.
Prevents Cancer
Watermelon has the highest concentrations of lycopene of any fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene has been proven in multiple studies to lower the risk of many types of cancer, including lung, prostate and possibly even breast cancer. Tomatoes are another great source, with guava and pink grapefruit also containing good levels of the antioxidant.
Watermelon Nutrition Facts:
| Amount Per 100 grams | |
|---|---|
| Calories 30 | |
|
% Daily Value*
|
|
| Total Fat 0.2 g |
0%
|
| Saturated fat 0.0 g |
0%
|
| Polyunsaturated fat 0.0 g | |
| Monounsaturated fat 0 g | |
| Cholesterol 0 mg |
0%
|
| Sodium 1 mg |
0%
|
| Potassium 112 mg |
3%
|
| Total Carbohydrate 8 g |
2%
|
| Dietary fiber 0.4 g |
1%
|
| Sugar 6 g | |
| Protein 0.6 g |
1%
|
| Vitamin A |
11%
|
| Vitamin C 8.1 mg |
13%
|
| Vitamin D |
0%
|
| Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) 0.189 mg |
14.5%
|
| Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic acid) 0.221 mg |
4.5%
|
| Vitamin B-12 |
0%
|
| Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine) 0.045 mg |
5%
|
| Calcium 7 mg |
0.7%
|
| Iron 0.24 mg |
3%
|
| Manganese 0.038 mg |
1.5%
|
| Magnesium 10 mg |
2.5%
|
