Nothing tastes more like summer than a slice of crisp, juicy, and refreshing watermelon. It is a staple of backyard barbecues and readily available at farmers’ markets during the summer. According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, watermelon can be considered a fruit or a vegetable. Furthermore, watermelon is incredibly nutritious.
According to nutritionists, watermelon is low in calories and sugar and is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it an excellent addition to a healthy diet. Plus, eating is enjoyable! Kris Sollid, MS, RD, senior director of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council, states, “Eating watermelon makes me feel carefree, as if I were a child again at a summer picnic enjoying the outdoors with my loved ones.”
Health Benefits of watermelon
“Watermelon is naturally low in calories,” explains Christina Meyer-Jax, RDN, LDN, nutrition chair at Standard Process and adjunct professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University. It contributes important antioxidant nutrients that promote disease prevention and overall health.
It contains an abundance of lycopene
Lycopene is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in watermelon and other fruits and vegetables. Lycopene is also responsible for the red hue of watermelons; however, it has additional health benefits. Lycopene protects your cells from damage, according to Dr. Sollid, and research indicates that it may have blood pressure-lowering effects when consumed regularly.
Watermelon helps maintain hydration
Over ninety percent of a watermelon’s composition is water. “As its name suggests, watermelon can keep you hydrated,” explains Derocha. “We get 80% of our hydration from what we drink and 20% from what we eat; watermelon can certainly contribute to this balanced intake.”
It contributes to proper digestion
Watermelon contains a high concentration of water and a negligible amount of fibre. Meyer-Jax asserts that both are essential for maintaining digestive function. Fiber adds bulk to your stool and maintains regularity, whereas water aids in waste elimination.
It may improve cardiovascular health
According to research, consuming lycopene-rich foods may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. A 2012 study published in the American Journal of Hypertension suggested a connection between the fruit and cardiovascular disease, as research indicated that watermelon extract may reduce blood pressure over time. Derocha suggests that L-citrulline and L-arginine, two antioxidants found in watermelon, may improve the function of the arteries, as suggested by the authors.
Watermelon may be anti-inflammatory
Derocha explains that a particular combination of antioxidants, lycopene and vitamin C, found in watermelon can reduce inflammation and oxidative damage over time. The symptoms of inflammation include swelling, pain, and flushed skin. And chronic inflammation can result in severe conditions such as cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion
Watermelon is a low-calorie summer snack that is both sweet and refreshing. It also provides essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. So we hope you will get to know enough health benefits of watermelon.
