Watermelon - Health benefits and Medicinal Benefits

Watermelon - Health benefits and Medicinal Benefits 

Watermelon is a delicious and refreshing fruit.  It contains 46 calories per cup but is high in vitamin C, vitamin A and many healthy plant compounds.

Eating foods that have a high water content will help keep your body hydrated.  Interesting fact that, watermelon has 92% water.

Watermelon is one of the lowest in calories.  It is only 46 calories per cup (154 grams). That's lower than even low-sugar fruits such as berries.

One cup (154 grams) of watermelon has many other nutrients as well, including these vitamins and minerals: Vitamin C: 21% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI), Vitamin A: 18% of the RDI, 

Potassium: 5% of the RDI, Magnesium: 4% of the RDI, Vitamins B1, B5 and B6: 3% of the RDI.

Watermelon is also high in carotenoids, including beta-carotene and lycopene. Plus, it has citrulline, an important amino acid.

Protect from aging

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage from free radicals.  

Protect health

Carotenoids are a class of plant compounds that includes alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A.

Lycopene is a type of carotenoid that doesn't change into vitamin A. This potent antioxidant gives a red color to plant foods such as tomatoes and watermelon and is linked to many health benefits.

Cucurbitacin E is a plant compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Bitter melon, a relative of watermelon, contains even more cucurbitacin E.

Prevent Cancer

Researchers have studied lycopene and other individual plant compounds in watermelon for their anti-cancer effects in the digestive system.  In addition, cucurbitacin E has been investigated for its ability to inhibit tumor growth.

Boost Heart Health

Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide.  Lifestyle factors, including diet, may lower your risk of heart attack and stroke by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  Several nutrients in watermelon have specific benefits for heart health.

Control Cholesterol & Blood Pressure

Studies suggest that lycopene may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It can also help prevent oxidative damage to cholesterol.  Watermelon also contains citrulline, an amino acid that may increase nitric oxide levels in the body. Nitric oxide helps your blood vessels expand, which lowers blood pressure.

It help post menopause

According to studies in obese, postmenopausal women and Finnish men, lycopene may also reduce the stiffness and thickness of artery walls.

Lower Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Watermelon help lower inflammation and oxidative damage, as it's rich in the anti-inflammatory antioxidants lycopene and vitamin C.

In an earlier study, humans were given lycopene-rich tomato juice with added vitamin C. Overall, their markers of inflammation went down and antioxidants went up. Watermelon has both lycopene and vitamin C.

Boost Brain Health & Reduce Alzheimers

As an antioxidant, lycopene may also benefit brain health. For example, it may help delay the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Help Prevent Macular Degeneration

Lycopene is found in several parts of the eye where it helps protect against oxidative damage and inflammation.

It may also prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is a common eye problem that can cause blindness in older adults.

Lycopene's role as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound may help prevent AMD from developing and getting worse.

Relieve Muscle Soreness

Citrulline, an amino acid in watermelon, may reduce muscle soreness. It is also available as a supplement.  It seems watermelon juice appears to enhance the absorption of citrulline.

Boost Skin and Hair health

Two vitamins in watermelon - A and C - are important for skin and hair health.

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. Without enough vitamin A, your skin can look dry and flaky.  Both lycopene and beta-carotene help protect the skin from sunburn.

Asthma prevention

The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is vitamin C, found in many fruits and vegetables, including watermelon.

Improve Digestion

Watermelon contains lots of water and a small amount of fiber - both of which are important for healthy digestion.

Fiber can provide bulk for your stool, while water helps keep your digestive tract moving efficiently.

Eating water-rich and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, including watermelon, can be very helpful for promoting normal bowel movements.

Risks

Moderate amounts of watermelon present no serious health risk. Excessive consumption can possibly elevate levels of certain vitamins in the body, which may cause complications.

Too much vitamin C, abundant in watermelon, can cause symptoms such as diarrhea or gastrointestinal discomfort.