Benefits of Watermelon – The Succulent Summer Fruit

Bite into a succulent slice of watermelon or sip on a glass of chilled juice and you hardly think about the benefits of watermelon. A native of South Africa but now available almost in every corner of the world, the watermelon is a favorite fruit. Relish the red or pink flesh that is 92% water, 6% sugar, and packed with a host of nutrients. And, while you’re at it, crunch up the seeds also that contain various vitamins and minerals. A summer fruit, nature has designed it with many properties to nourish your body and keep it protected from the effects of the heat.

Benefits of Watermelon for Your Body

Keeps Your Heart Healthy

Lycopene, a kind of carotenoid, beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and the high fiber content in watermelons work to keep your heart healthy. In addition to having antioxidant properties, watermelons provide the roughage necessary to lower cholesterol levels. In this way, they prevent various cardiac problems and the effects of free radicals on your body.

Prevents Hypertension

The potassium content in watermelons acts to widen your arteries and blood vessels so that blood circulation is promoted. As a result, your heart is less stressed and the risk of hypertension is low. Further, the carotenoids in watermelons lower the possibility of a blood clotting, buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries, heart attacks, and strokes.

Protects Against Diabetes

Watermelons have several positives for diabetes since they have a high water content and fiber but contribute very few calories. They also contain potassium and magnesium that boosts the body’s response to insulin and thus, helps in controlling glucose levels. One of the benefits of watermelon is that it helps the body convert L-citrulline into L-arginine, both of which are amino acids and can help prevent diabetes.

Keeps Your Body Cool in Summer

In addition to a high water content, watermelons also contain essential electrolytes that lower your risk of getting a heat stroke. Eating the fruit can also help lower elevated body temperatures while stimulating sweating which further helps release heat. In case you’ve been working out, the L-citrulline in watermelons help excrete the lactic acid in your muscles so you recover faster. The fruit is also good for rehydration, and you can prevent the effects of dehydration like fatigue and headaches.

Helps You Lose Weight

Weight watchers can safely eat watermelons to fill them up and reduce the craving for a sweet dessert. Further, the high fiber content provides the roughage needed to keep the colon clean and prevent weight gain and constipation. Eating the fruit also compensates for an inadequate intake of water to some extent.

Improves Kidney Function

Your kidneys are one of the key organs that help in the detoxification of your body thanks to the potassium and calcium they contain. Eating watermelons helps the process along since the water content assists in the flushing and keeping your kidneys healthy. You also eliminate the buildup of uric acid in the blood that can lead to the formation of kidney stones.

Other Benefits of Watermelon

In addition to these positives, watermelons have many other positives for your body such as:

• Preventing cancer because of phytonutrients like lycopene and antioxidants like vitamin C
• Improving the functioning of your nerves by helping in the passing of electrical impulses between the cells because of potassium
• Improving the health of your eyes because of zeaxanthin, lutein, vitamin C, and beta-carotene
• Preventing inflammation anywhere in the body because of amino acids like L-arginine and L-citrulline
• Lowering the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks because of vitamin C
• Repairing the pH balance within your body because of its alkaline nature that neutralizes the effects of acidic foods
• Preventing periodontal disease because of vitamin C
• Reversing erectile dysfunction and promoting libido because of arginine

So, the next time you’re offered the fruit or you go grocery shopping, remember the many benefits of watermelon and go for it.