The Benefits of watermelon For health are numerous: improves cardiovascular health, is anti-inflammatory, helps maintain the skin, improves the condition of the skin, prevents the formation of stones in the kidney, improves digestion and others that I explain below.
The watermelon has many names. Among them, we find some like paitilla, watermelon or even water melon. In its scientific form it is called as Citrullus Ianatus.
It is grown all over the world, but its main focus is on Africa. On the other hand, in the Mediterranean area it is common to see it bloom in the months of June and July.
As well known, it is characterized by a rigid and oval bark of greenish color next to a fleshy and reddish interior. It is precisely in its nucleus that we observe a great quantity of black seeds that can measure up to 1 centimeter in length.
When ingested, the taste leaves a sweet taste at the same time as soft, being pleasant to the palate at all times.
A small note: lycopene
Before explaining the different benefits of watermelon, it is necessary to refer to a type of essential nutrient of which it is composed: the lycopene.
This substance is a phytonutrient that acts as an antioxidant, bringing a set of benefits for our health as:
- Creation of healthy tissues and organs.
- Detoxification of substances that are not beneficial to the body.
- Strengthening of the immune system and muscular system.
In addition, as with other foods such as tomato, lycopene is responsible for giving the reddish color to watermelon. The darker the concentration of this phytonutrient.
13 Amazing Benefits of Watermelon
First of all it is necessary to point out a couple of tips:
- Firstly, the watermelon must be at its highest point of maturity to squeeze its benefits to the fullest.
- Second, it would be ideal to keep the watermelon at room temperature. In this way you will conserve all of your antioxidants.
That said, the 13 incredible benefits that watermelon brings to health are:
1- Improves cardiovascular health
Watermelon improves cardiovascular health by regulating the arterial hypertension , Which is one of the main causes of heart attacks in people.
In a study Published by the University of Pardue and the University of Kentucky, it was confirmed that watermelon had multiple benefits for the heart.
In such animal-tested research, they obtained results where mice fed with watermelon had 50% less LDL cholesterol Than those who did not ingest it.
In addition, watermelon also helps women who are in a postmenopausal stage.
The State University of Florida published in early 2013, a study in which several postmenopausal women experienced an improvement in their cardiovascular health after six weeks taking watermelon extracts.
In other investigation Carried out by the American Journal of Hypertension , It would be shown that the watermelon extract reduces blood pressure and hypertension.
Experts believe that this decrease in cholesterol occurs due to the Citrulline , Which can also control weight gain.
2- Better functioning of the body's insulin
When you suffer from illness such as type 2 diabetes , Our body begins to stop producing insulin, which leads to problems related to cellular production.
As a result, the level of glucose and blood sugar becomes something difficult to regulate in our body.
However, if we fall into the habit of consuming watermelon, we can improve the creation of insulin more easily thanks to the Arginine Which contains this fruit. Various studies They have already proved so.
Therefore, if you suffer from diabetes, do not forget to add a portion of watermelon daily to your diet.
3- Improves the health of the eyes
Would you like to sharpen your vision? This interests you:
The great levels of vitamin A that the watermelon brings to our body will improve your optical health, helping the development of the pigments of the retina of your eyes.
In addition, vitamin A helps protect you from macular degeneration and night blindness. Equally, the Lutein Y Zeaxanthin Will act as powerful protectors.
In this way, do not forget that to notice these changes, you must eat for long periods of time said fruit.
4 - Strengthens the muscular system
Do not know how to appease those muscle pains during and after training? Well, I do not have to tell you that the ideal food for these occasions is watermelon.
For this, there are several investigations that corroborate it:
- According to one investigation , Citrulline and arginine found in watermelon improve the blood circulation of athletes. It also reduces the pain and soreness of the next day.
- Another similar study observed that, ingestion of citrulline and Arginine Only benefits novice athletes and those who begin to perform some type of sport. On the other hand, high-level professionals and athletes were not used to eating watermelon.
- Otherwise, another study From the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Came to the conclusion that drinking watermelon relaxes our muscles after a grueling workout.
Read this, if you are starting to practice some type of sport and want to reduce the relevant discomfort and pain, do not forget to consume watermelon or some derivative. A clear example can be natural juice.
5- Fight against erectile dysfunction
Watermelon intake improves blood circulation. In fact, a study Carried out by researchers belonging to the University of Texas A & M, concluded that watermelon has very positive effects to combat impotence.
Bhimu Patil, director of the University of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, said,"Watermelon is a source of nutrients with a similar effect to viagra because it has stimulant effects on blood vessels and libido."
This aid present in the watermelon is due in large part to the arginine, which leads to the increase of the libido, thus reducing frigidity.
6- Powerful anti-inflammatory
In this benefit we must refer to the power of the Lycopene , Since this acts directly on the cellular damage, and being an antioxidant, it fights free radicals.
In the words of Professor Jarzabkowski,"lycopene in watermelon makes it an anti-inflammatory fruit."
In addition, another of the favorable components of watermelon is cucurbitacin E, a chemical compound that reduces the activity of enzymes, which cause inflammation in our body. Equally, the Shock Medical Journal Published an article in 2006 which noted the hill As a regulator of chronic inflammation.
Finally, manganese, a mineral that also acts as a potent anti-inflammatory, should be mentioned.
7- Helps prevent cancer
Again, antioxidants come on the scene. Lycopene fights anticancer cells that can harm our health.
Watermelon is the food with the highest percentage of lycopene concentrated in its composition.
The National Cancer Institute states that"lycopene has chemopreventive effects on prostate, skin, breast, lung and liver cancer."
Dr. Mercola himself mentioned that"lycopene reduces the growth of brain tumors. In addition, after depriving mice of lycopene, breast cancer broke out in their bodies."
8- Great source of hydration
Watermelon contains nothing more and nothing less than 92% water in its composition.
That said, watermelon has high levels of potassium in its composition (about 5% per serving), being also a type of electrolyte that controls the levels of hydration in our body, in addition to helping oxygenate the body cells. Thanks to these electrolytes we can avoid strong heat strokes.
9- Prevention of diseases
There are a lot of diseases that occur due to a high consumption of meat, eggs and dairy products.
However, thanks to the alkaline-forming effect of watermelon, we can reduce the risk of diseases derived from these foods.
10- Improves our digestion
You may have heard that watermelon is an excellent diuretic .
Cynthia Sass, publisher of Health , Said that"watermelon contains dietary fiber for digestive health as well as potassium, a mineral that helps keep blood pressure under control."
And indeed it is so. You will most likely urinate more than normal when you drink watermelon. This is due to potassium and its high levels of dietary fiber, which will help the elimination of toxins and the natural cleaning of the body.
11- Avoid stones in the kidney
This benefit has much to do with the help that watermelon lends to our digestion.
Thanks to the elimination of residues, we can prevent the accumulation of uric acid in the blood, which leads directly to eluding stones in the kidney.
Try replacing other diuretics such as coffee or even watermelon weight loss pills. This method will be much healthier, natural and beneficial for your kidneys.
12- Rejuvenates our skin and hair
Everyone wants to look in the mirror and be able to boast of healthy young skin. Did you know that watermelon helps to achieve this?
Here are two types of vitamins present in the water melon: A - with 17% - and C - with 20% -.
- Vitamin A has a molecular structure that accesses the lower layers of the skin. It is where collagen and elastin are placed, managing to fight the roughness of the skin.
Cleveland Clinic already has confirmed These benefits roundly.
- The vitamin C , Like the A, works so that the levels of collagen remain regulated. In addition, this vitamin protects us from UVA rays and clears dark spots on the skin. In turn, it also causes the healing rate to increase.
On the other hand, thanks to its high percentages of water, the watermelon will help to hydrate our skin in a natural way to make it look smoother.
13- Helps maintain line
Watermelon is one of the fruits with the lowest caloric value that we can find.
Specifically, for every 154 grams of watermelon, we will ingest about 46 calories. Also, referring to the Nutrition facts , We will observe that it has minimum levels of fats.
Due to the citrulline that the body absorbs when ingesting watermelon, will produce a decrease of the creation of fat. This decrease will correspond to the blockage produced by citrulline by blocking the creation of fats, thus avoiding excessive accumulation within our body.
In addition, thanks to their high percentages in water, they make us feel fuller than normal.
So you know: start eating watermelon regularly without fear of catching a few extra pounds.
Curiosities
- Did you know that watermelon is as much a fruit as a vegetable? Due to its familiar trees, the watermelon is curiously related to cucumbers, pumpkins and zucchini, which gives it that state of fruit and vegetables.
- From the watermelon you can take advantage of everything. And when we say everything, we refer both to its inner seeds and to its shell. This is due to the dual nature that makes it both fruit and vegetable.
- Watermelons first arrived in Europe from the Arabs in the 13th century.
- Their weight usually varies between 3 and 6 kilos. Now, the largest watermelon in the world came to weigh a total of... 122 kilos!
- Although it sounds strange, it is not uncommon to find yellowish watermelons on the inside. Its flavor is similar to that of cantaloupe , Although not for this it stops being a watermelon.
- One method used to choose the best quality watermelons is to rely on those with hollow sounds. The more hollow it sounds, the better it will be.