Summer is here and as much as, we care about putting that sunblock every time we go out and protecting ourselves against the harsh sun. We crave chilled drinks and fruits, when we get home too. On a summer afternoon when the sun is in a big FIERY MOOD, we want to enjoy something that soothes and offers an absolute breather. Fruits are also something we love about summer. Rich in vitamins, sweet and delicious drupes are why we wait summer impatiently. In this article, health benefits of watermelon; “Queen of Summer Fruits” are discussed to help you make the most of this fruit.
When you are health conscious and particularly a diet conscious person, everything that is a little too sweet comes to you as a warning sign. You want to eat something sweet but don’t want to care about the calories. That’s where our favorite snack kicks in! The health benefits of watermelon are huge!
Why to eat Watermelons?
While I am writing this and while you read this, we both are picturing those perfectly sliced watermelon slices in a bowl in front of us. Even thinking about those chilled slices make me cool down (Doesn’t it?). Watermelon needs no introduction because since we were kids. Three things will always be the highlight of summers: Swimming pool, Popsicles and CHILLED WATERMELON BOWLS!
Watermelon is a divine fruit because it doesn’t only help us combat the scorching heat. It is very beneficial for our health, hair, skin, and even our immune system.
You didn’t know that? Read below to find more about the health benefits of watermelon.
1. Full of sweetened hydration
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggests that an ample daily fluid intake for men should be about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids in a day for women. However, these amounts vary based on every person’s climate conditions and metabolic rate. Watermelon is 92% water, and on top of that SWEETENED WATER. So it’s an excellent source of water in summers as well as it tastes amazing.
2. Helps in weight loss
Because of the high percentage of water in Watermelon. It fills you up for fewer calories. While clean eating and being on a diet, having watermelon in your diet is an excellent way to keep you full and stay hydrated at the same time. Water speeds up our metabolism and flushes out toxins, fats, and excessive waste from our system that contributes towards weight gain.
Health benefits of watermelon include 86 calories, less than 01 grams of fat in a watermelon slice. It provides 22 grams of carbs and adds 5% of fiber to your daily requirement, making it a great food for fat burning and weight loss.
3. Reduces the risk of cancer and diabetes
Watermelon is jam-packed with the nutrient lycopene. The lycopene found in watermelon gives the fruit a bright red cherry color. Researchers prove that lycopene treats cancer and minimizes the risk of cancer and diabetes in humans. Watermelon has the most amount of this nutrient than any other fruit. The nutrient is present about 15 to 20 milligrams per 2 cup serving. Lycopene is a phytonutrient that reacts with the human body and the metabolism to create healthy reactions.
4. Healthy heart
Consuming watermelon every day has proven to reduce the risk of heart diseases. It reduces the amount of cholesterol in blood and disposition of fatty acids in the arteries that leads to clogging and thus heart diseases.
The heart-healthy properties in watermelon are because of the presence of citrulline that is a powerful chemical that helps with arterial clogging, arterial stiffness, and cholesterol disposition in human beings.
Citrulline is a type of amino acid that improves blood circulation, promotes blood flow, and gives the heart a healthy start!
Diet according to your blood type? Read: https://blurbgeek.com/blood-type-diet-for-your-health/
6. Treats inflammation
Having lycopene in rich amounts in watermelon and the presence of antioxidants, watermelon helps n treating inflammation and has anti-inflammatory properties. Among different kinds of carotenoids, it is considered the best one and the most beneficial
Sun benefit?
The presence of lycopene in a Large amount also shields the sun against sun rays and acts as a natural sunscreen (Still use the sunscreen girl, we can’t be too sure in summers)
7. Re-fueling drink at the gym
The presence of lycopene, antioxidants, amino acids, and anti-inflammatory properties, the watermelon juice is an excellent gym drink. It will hydrate you because of the high percentage of water content in it and the high potassium content in it. This will prevent muscle soreness after you break a good sweat at the gym.
8. Sweet tooth satisfied
Want to have something sugary but do not want to spike your sugar levels and you’re your diet? Watermelon has a glycemic index (GI) value of 80, about the same as a bowl of cornflakes. You can satisfy your sweet midnight cravings and not worry about the extra fat that will be hanging in the morning (struck a nerve there, right?)
9. Easy to digest
Days when you cannot keep anything down and starve yourself – watermelon will be your best friend. The benefits of adding watermelon are your diet is also related to digestion. Due to the higher water content and fibers present in it. It is an excellent digestion snack and helps you with constipation problems too.
10. What if I eat a watermelon seed by accident?
We all have been told in our childhood by our mothers that if you ate a seed. Watermelon will grow in your belly (Funny, right?) but that is not the case and watermelon seeds are full of nutrients and mostly pass through the bowl the very next day.
How to find the right, red watermelon?
A fully ripened watermelon has three characteristics, look for them when buying one
- It should sound hollow when you thump it
- It should have a yellow (not white) mark under it, it means that the melon is ripened
- A fully ripened watermelon should feel heavier in size
Store that delicious sugar goodness
- Wash the melon before cutting it so no germs can touch the inside of the fruit
- You can store the melon for up to 5 days
- After 5 days it starts losing the crisp and is best for smoothies and drinks!
Are you craving a watermelon now? After reading so many health benefits of watermelon, I’m sure you wanna eat one right now. Me too, lets grab a slice!
