Benefits Of Watermelon That You May Not Have Known

Despite all the nutritional benefits of watermelon, it is not advisable to base your diet solely on this food. The ideal is to maintain a balanced diet and, when in doubt, consult your doctor before making changes.

Watermelon is a fruit known for its large size and striking colors: green on the outside and red on the inside. In addition to offering a large amount of water in its composition, giving the feeling of satiety and being delicious, it serves much more. Discover in this article what are the benefits that you may not have known about watermelon.

This fruit allows us to be hydrated in hot weather and provides many nutrients such as vitamins A and C, magnesium and potassium. On the other hand, it contains beta-carotene (which gives the pulp that color) and lycopenes, both of which are antioxidants.

How to know if the watermelon is ripe?

It is necessary to eat the ripe watermelon to be able to take advantage of its properties. To know if it is ready, it is necessary to look at the weight. A ripe watermelon is made up of 90% water, so it is quite heavy.

Another sign that it is mature is the yellow circle below it, where it made contact with the earth (as if it were the umbilical cord and the navel in mammals). If it is white or green, it is not ready to eat yet. And finally, if when you slap it it sounds like it is hollow, it is because it is ripe.

Benefits and properties of watermelon

Let’s see together one by one the benefits that you may not have known about watermelon. You will surely be surprised! And we are sure that you will finish convincing you to incorporate this tasty fruit into your regular diet.

1. It is good for cardiovascular health

Several researches report that watermelon could help fight the build-up of atheroma plaques in the arteries. These plaques are responsible for causing heart attacks. This is due to a compound called citrulline, which is converted into arginine, an amino acid that keeps arteries healthy, as it gives them elasticity.

Watermelon helps maintain the elasticity of the arteries and blood vessels, according to a study published in the American Journal of Hypertension. And because of potassium, it helps regulate the amount of fluids in the body to lower high blood pressure.

2. Could help you lose weight

Watermelon has very few calories and is low in fat, only having 21 calories per 100 grams. It offers many antioxidants and phytonutrients, essential for enjoying perfect health. Being also a diuretic, it could be a good food in diets to lose weight.

On the other hand, it has a satiating effect by filling the stomach with water. Dice a watermelon and place it in the fridge. When you want to eat anything, consume a cube of these, you will see that your appetite will go away immediately.

3. It is good for eye health

Thanks to beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body, it is essential for healthy eyes. This is evidenced by an essay published in Nutrients . This vitamin is used to produce the pigments that the retina of the eye needs, protecting against macular degeneration, something very common in people of legal age.

In turn, watermelon prevents night blindness and as it has vitamin C, it reduces the risk of developing cataracts.

4. Could fight inflammation

Inflammation is believed to be the cause of some diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. Watermelon has very good antioxidants (and in quantity), whose job consists in destroying the so-called free radicals, which are present in what we eat, what we breathe and in polluting the environment. So, consuming watermelon could help prevent its growth and proliferation.

7. Another benefit of watermelon is that it quenches thirst

It is the favorite fruit of many athletes because it is a good option to quench their thirst, so they can continue doing their activities as usual.

Athletes choose it in the form of juice or shake the day before competitions or strenuous days, to improve physical, but also mental, conditions. A glass of watermelon juice before training helps reduce heart rate and reduce muscle aches typical of the hours after exercise and effort.

8. It is beneficial for the skin

Nutrition is also related to the appearance of the skin. In addition, it will be protected from damage caused by exposure to the sun and environmental pollution. This is due to its lycopene content.

9. Provides a lot of energy

A simple serving of watermelons increases energy by up to 25%, since it contains a good amount of vitamin B6, responsible for synthesizing dopamine, the hormone known to give us the sensation of feeling good. It also has magnesium, a mineral that can help prevent fatigue.

Include watermelon in your diet and enjoy its benefits

To conclude, do not forget that despite all the nutritional benefits of watermelon, it is not advisable to base your diet solely on this food. The ideal is to maintain a balanced diet and, when in doubt, consult your doctor before making changes.