10 Surprising Health Benefits Of Watermelon
Warmer weather is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Picnics, barbecues, family reunions, and lots of juicy watermelon to go around!
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Watermelon is one of the most delicious summertime fruits for feasting on and though it’s nearly 90 per cent water, it boasts a host of health benefits, too. Read on to find out more about this little slice of heavenly fruit.
1. Muscle Recovery
Believed to be due to the L-citrulline in the fruit, both watermelon and watermelon juice are shown to help relieve muscle soreness. This is great for athletes, because those who drink watermelon juice before a workout had less soreness the day after and a lower heart rate.
2. Good For Your Skin
There’s no better way to get that summertime glow. Watermelon contains vitamins A & C, which are instrumental in maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin A is necessary for sebum production and Vitamin C is a building block of collagen, which provides structure for the skin. Since watermelon is full of water, it will also keep your skin hydrated and youthful.
3. Aids In Digestion
Feeling a bit off? Munch on some watermelon! Watermelon is made of mostly water, which is great for digestion, and contains four to five grams of fibre in a serving as well. This is the perfect mix for flushing your system and making you regular.
4. Cancer Fighter
Watermelon is a wonderful source of lycopene, which is an antioxidant known for its ability to ward off a number of cancers. Lycopene has also gained fame for its ability to stunt the growth of brain tumors, decrease the risk of strokes, and even aid in the actual treatment of cancer itself.
5. Heart Health
Research has shown that watermelon has the ability to improve heart health. Separate studies performed on postmenopausal women and middle-aged, obese adults proved that, when taking watermelon extract supplements, were able to improve their heart health and lower blood pressure.
6. Aids Asthma Sufferers
Another great thing about vitamin C is that it is one of the key nutrients in helping prevent asthma. People who take in a large number of nutrients like vitamin C are less likely to develop asthma, and those who currently suffer from the disease can also eat watermelon as a natural treatment.
7. Reduce PMS Symptoms
According to Brown University, research suggests that foods like peanuts, avocado, and watermelon are great fruits to eat to reduce PMS because they contain vitamin B6.
8. Lower Blood Sugar
Watermelon contains magnesium, amino acids, and potassium, which all work together to help maintain the blood vessels while also working to balance the electrolytes in the body. If you’re suffering from hypertension, try drinking one glass of watermelon juice first thing in the morning.
9. Eye Health
You no longer have to just depend on carrots alone. Along with vitamin A, vitamin C, and lycopene, watermelon also has beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which all are excellent for the health of your eyes. All of these work together to combat eye-related problems due to age and various eye infections.
10. Improve Your Mood
Once again, vitamin C and B6 come to the rescue! Vitamin B6 helps to synthesize neurotransmitters that relax and improve mood, while vitamin C protects the body from free-radicals, which can cause issues such as depression. Watermelon also has the ability to balance your hormones, which also improves your mood. Let’s be honest: It’s hard to not be in good mood while enjoying juicy watermelon on a hot summer’s day!
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