07/16/2020 / By Zoey Sky
Watermelon is a popular summer fruit because it’s sweet, juicy and refreshing. This amazing superfruit is also rich in vitamins and minerals. In fact, watermelon can offer many health benefits, such as promoting heart, skin and hair health.
Watermelon is a low-calorie fruit. A one-cup serving of watermelon (154 grams) only has 46 calories, which is lower than low-sugar fruits like berries.
One cup of watermelon also contains the following vitamins and minerals:
Additionally, watermelon is full of the following antioxidants:
Watermelon contains many nutrients that can improve your heart health.
In a study from the EXCLI Journal, researchers found that lycopene can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Additionally, the carotenoid may help prevent oxidative damage to cholesterol. (Related: Watermelon juice: A refreshing way to boost heart health and improve blood flow.)
Aside from lycopene, watermelon contains citrulline, an amino acid that is said to boost nitric oxide levels in your body. Nitric oxide helps the blood vessels expand, and this, in turn, helps lower your blood pressure.
Watermelon is rich in two vitamins that keep your skin and hair healthy: Vitamins A and C.
Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen, the protein that keeps skin supple and hair strong. Additionally, watermelon contains vitamin A that has a role in creating and repairing skin cells.
Not getting enough vitamin A can cause dry and flaky skin. The juicy superfruit may also help protect you from sunburns thanks to beta-carotene and lycopene.
Drinking enough water helps you hydrate, but you can also do this by consuming foods with a high water content, like watermelon.
Watermelon is 92 percent water and consuming fruits and vegetables with a high water content can also make you feel full. Consuming watermelon, a fruit rich in water and fiber, can promote weight loss as it’s low in calories yet very filling.
The fiber and water content of watermelon are both crucial for your digestive health. Fiber helps provide bulk for your stool and water helps your digestive tract move efficiently.
Consuming fruits and vegetables rich in fiber and water can help promote normal bowel movements.
If you’re craving a sweet treat, try making some watermelon sorbet.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
Preparation:
Enjoy a slice of fresh watermelon to cool down on a hot day or serve watermelon sorbet for a sweet, nutritious treat.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: Amino Acids, antioxidants, beta carotene, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, citrulline, food cures, food is medicine, Fresh, fruit juice, fruits, heart disease, heart health, lycopene, prevention, skin health, vitamin C, watermelon, weight loss
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