Summer is here! It’s that season of the year where you welcome all things refreshing and rejuvenating. Among the plethora of activities, food and drinks to indulge in, there is one fruit loved by all and which offers plenty of benefits to the human body — Watermelon!
Not only is this a delicious fruit, but it also works to refresh the entire body and is good for you. High in vitamins like A and C and containing only 30 calories in every 100 grams, watermelon is the fruit of the season and we recommend you include it in your diet in every manner you desire to attain the following benefits:
- Keeps you Hydrated: A watermelon consists 92% of water and the rest fibre, giving you a clear understanding of how it can help you stay hydrated. Drinking sufficient amount of water according to your daily activities and body weight is essential to keep the body at bay from dehydration and health concerns that follow thereafter, and this fruit adds on to the routine to make the process delicious and refreshing. Moreover, it contains the electrolyte Potassium which is a nutrient essential to be taken daily to maintain a balanced fluid level in the body, normalise the blood pressure level and reduce the chances of heart diseases. Other areas that can receive the benefits of this nutrient are the tissues and cells of the body.
- Good For The Hair And Skin: Watermelon is well fuelled with Vitamins A and C, that are really good for your skin and hair. Vitamin C helps maintain your hair strength by producing collagen, a type of protein which is available in abundance in the body including the muscles, blood vessels and bones and contributes the skin to maintain its elasticity and strength. Vitamin A too is essential for a healthy skin and hair as it creates and repairs skin cells and keeps it away from dryness. Additionally, this form of the vitamin can be found in the form of carotenoids, which is essential for protecting the cells from harmful effects caused through air and light.
- Can Help Prevent Cancer: Watermelons get their deep red colour from the antioxidant lycopene, which is known to reduce the growth of cancer cells for breast, ovaries, lungs as well as pancreas among the many and battle the free radicals. A bowl of the fruit serves with 10 milligrams of the antioxidant that also exhibit chemo-preventive properties and is known to be useful in curing the infection HPV (human papillomavirus) which leads to uterine cancer when not taken care on time.
- Aids Digestion: For better digestion of everything you eat, can there be any better nutrients than water and fibre? Well, watermelon contains both. While fibre complements the development of adding bulk to your excreta, water works its way to keep the digestive tract moving efficiently. Both the soluble and insoluble fibres can be found in this fruit. Approximately 4 grams of dietary fibre can be received from a freshly cut bowl of watermelon along with 175 to 200 calories.
- Improves Heart Health: People who religiously consider adding even just a slice of watermelon everyday are helping their heart stay away from the risks of accumulating bad cholesterol, which is one of the primary reasons of heart disease. The juicy fruit contains the chemical citrulline, which is known to benefit from atherosclerosis as well as aid women postmenopausal from reducing or undergoing arterial stiffness.
- Relieve Muscle Soreness: A perfect combination of citrulline (an amino acid) and electrolytes, watermelon may act as the key to relieve and soothe your muscles from soreness after an intense workout or other such activities. Additionally, a refreshing glass of watermelon juice helps the muscles receive oxygen which again contributes towards recovering them faster.
- The Pregnancy Food: Morning sickness and heartburns are the two common conditions a woman undergoes during the entire and different stages of pregnancy. Adding a bowl of watermelon daily will help alleviate these states along with preventing muscle cramps that occur during the third trimester.
- Lower Oxidative Stress: Watermelon contains both the anti-inflammatory antioxidants Vitamin C and Lycopene. They complement towards lowering the C-reactive protein levels, which develops inflammation, along with oxidative stress. Moreover, the antioxidant lycopene also helps improve brain health and delays the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease.
Along with the above mentioned antioxidants, watermelon also boasts the goodness of several other nutrients including carbs. Each 100 gram of the fruit serves about 7.5 grams of carbs, which is a combination of the sugars fructose sucrose and glucose. This amount isn’t very high and therefore, it can be eaten without worries of creating major issues with the blood sugar levels.
Whether you enjoy it eating or drinking, the fruit is mostly water, followed by carbohydrates with very less fat, calories and protein.
So surprisingly, watermelon is a healthy fruit that boasts a high water content along with being a power pack of several important nutrients essential to maintaining the overall wellbeing of the body. It can be enjoyed as a low-calorie treat and only receive endless benefits and no side effects.
Happy Summer, Happy Eating!
