Filled with sweet juice, watermelon is one of the best present from the nature during the "summer".
Although people go bananas over mango, watermelon is the real star in the summer heat. 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. You can also eat watermelon seeds, which are rich in minerals like copper, zinc, iron and manganese. Read on to know other health benefits of eating watermelon.
Muscle soreness
Watermelon contains coralline, which has been shown to relieve muscle soreness, enhance physical performance and promotes muscle relaxation. The compound coralline also protects against pain in the muscle. It is advisable to drink watermelon juice prior to your workout as it enhances the performance and intense training.
Reduces kidney disorders
Watermelon is a great source of potassium and calcium, which 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 cell differentiation process, maintain cell structure and regulates cell functions
Hydrates your body
Loaded with electrolyte and water, watermelon will help you to stay hydrated during the "summer".
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.
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 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. 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.
Lowers blood pressure
Watermelon contains an amino acid, which is converted into arginine by the body. This arginine along with help 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 the 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 the cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Improves digestion
Watermelon is one of the best home remedies for constipation. As the fruit contains fiber 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.
Lowers inflammation
Watermelon contains vitamin C and lycopene, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Eating the fruit may help lower the 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 high concentration of vitamin C. According to research, the concentration of vitamin C in human body decline 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.
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