Watermelon season is almost here, and it's time to start enjoying the delicious fruit as more than a barbecue treat or fruit salad mix. Watermelon has some amazing health benefits that can really add a lot to your diet.
A common misconception is that because watermelon is made up of a lot of water, this fruit doesn't have all that much to offer. In reality, watermelon is packed with lots of vitamins and nutrients. Plus, this fruit is incredibly delicious, so convincing yourself to add more to your diet won't be all that hard.
Advertisement
Here are all the benefits of watermelon you never realized.
1. Keeps you hydrated
Like its name suggests, watermelon is made up of water — 92 percent to be exact. For that reason, eating watermelon can help keep your body hydrated, which is essential to functioning properly and can even add benefits like clear skin.
Like its name suggests, watermelon is made up of water — 92 percent to be exact. For that reason, eating watermelon can help keep your body hydrated, which is essential to functioning properly and can even add benefits like clear skin.
2. Helps with digestion
Watermelon also has fiber in it, and along with all that water, this fruit is going to help keep you regular.
Watermelon also has fiber in it, and along with all that water, this fruit is going to help keep you regular.
3. Low in calories
Watermelon is one of the best fruits if you're looking for something low in calories. In one cup there are just 46 calories. That's lower than most berries.
Watermelon is one of the best fruits if you're looking for something low in calories. In one cup there are just 46 calories. That's lower than most berries.
4. High in antioxidants
Antioxidants help the body remove potentially damaging oxidizing agents, and watermelon is packed with these them. Within a watermelon, you'll find carotenoids which your body directly converts to vitamin A. Dr. Axe also explains there's also lycopene which is thought to help with asthma and keep your eyes and brain healthy. There's also cucurbitacin E which has anti-inflammatory effects.
Antioxidants help the body remove potentially damaging oxidizing agents, and watermelon is packed with these them. Within a watermelon, you'll find carotenoids which your body directly converts to vitamin A. Dr. Axe also explains there's also lycopene which is thought to help with asthma and keep your eyes and brain healthy. There's also cucurbitacin E which has anti-inflammatory effects.
5. Great for skin and hair
Watermelon is packed with vitamin A and C which combined are going to help you looking healthy and fresh.Vitamin C helps the body create collagen, that amazing protein that keeps your skin plump and hair strong. Vitamin A also helps repair skin cells.
Watermelon is packed with vitamin A and C which combined are going to help you looking healthy and fresh.Vitamin C helps the body create collagen, that amazing protein that keeps your skin plump and hair strong. Vitamin A also helps repair skin cells.
6. Can help relieve muscle soreness
After your next hard workout, reach for watermelon instead of a sports drink. It's not only going to hydrate you, but Vitamin C helps your body make collagen, a protein that keeps your skin supple and your hair strong.
After your next hard workout, reach for watermelon instead of a sports drink. It's not only going to hydrate you, but Vitamin C helps your body make collagen, a protein that keeps your skin supple and your hair strong.
Vitamin A is also important for healthy skin since it helps create and repair skin cells. The amino acid citrulline inside this fruit may help reduce muscle soreness.
7. Good for heart health
Recent research points to the benefits of watermelon for heart health. In the study by the South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Oklahoma, they found citrulline, an amino acid that may increase nitric oxide levels in the body. This is important because nitric oxide helps your blood vessels expand, which lowers blood pressure
Recent research points to the benefits of watermelon for heart health. In the study by the South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Oklahoma, they found citrulline, an amino acid that may increase nitric oxide levels in the body. This is important because nitric oxide helps your blood vessels expand, which lowers blood pressure
Advertisement
8. It has a compound thought to fight cancer
Researchers have studied lycopene, among other compounds, for their anti-cancer effects. It's believed that lycopene intake can lower the risk of some cancers, mostly cancers in the digestive system. Lycopene works by lowering insulin-like growth factor which divides cells; high levels of IGF are what's linked to cancer.
Researchers have studied lycopene, among other compounds, for their anti-cancer effects. It's believed that lycopene intake can lower the risk of some cancers, mostly cancers in the digestive system. Lycopene works by lowering insulin-like growth factor which divides cells; high levels of IGF are what's linked to cancer.