Watermelon, one of the most loved hydrating fruit. It is loaded with many benefits for health, skin, heart etc. In this article you will learn 10 health benefits of watermelon. Also know why you should eat watermelon.
Watermelon belongs to cucurbitaceae family and is considered to be native to Africa. There are more than 1000 varieties of watermelon grown through out the world. Watermelon contains more than 90 % of water and is filled with so many nutrients.
BENEFITS :
HYDRATING :
Watermelon is a great fruit for hydrating your body as it contains more than 90% of water. It helps to keep your body hydrated well, while having very less calorie content.
Which means you can eat more and consume less calories moreover watermelon is packed with electrolytes and provides you instant energy.
RICH IN POTASSIUM :
Watermelon is rich in potassium which is essential for our body because it helps to maintain fluid balance.
It also helps to reduce inflammation and thus helps to soothe muscle and joint pain. Watermelon can also help to relax and soothe muscles after exercise.
RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS :
Watermelon is rich in antioxidant- lycopene ( it is the red pigment that gives red or pink tint to fruits ) which fights with free radicals that causes inflammation in your body. Antioxidants also helps to protect your cells from damage.
Antioxidant not only fight with free radicals but they also helps to boost up your immunity & if you want to boost up your immunity in a refreshing way just drink a glass of watermelon juice daily or grab a bowl of it.
GOOD FOR SKIN :
Watermelon is a great fruit for your skin because of water content present in it. It helps to keep your skin hydrated which makes your skin glowing naturally and prevents dull skin.
Antioxidants present in it helps to fight with free radicals which causes aging. Consuming watermelon on daily basis will make your skin healthy, glowing and encourages collagen production.
You can also try a super simple, hydrating watermelon face mask at home, below is a simple method to make it
WATERMELON FACE MASK RECIPE :
INGREDIENTS :
- Watermelon slice – 2-3
- Rose water – 1 tsp
- Cotton pads
DIRECTIONS :
- Take watermelon slices and peel it’s skin
- Then crush the watermelon to make a puree
- Add rose water and mix
- Wash your face and pat dry
- Dip a cotton pad and apply all over your face
- Keep it for 5-6 minutes, then wash
This watermelon face mask will hydrate your skin from inside. It will also help to soothe and calm your skin, giving you a refreshing glow.
SUPPORTS IN WEIGHT LOSS :
Watermelon can support you in your weight loss journey. It contains good amount of water and some amount of fiber and these both are essential in your weight loss journey. It’s a healthy weight loss snack.
When you consume watermelon it makes you feel fuller for the longer time and prevents from consuming extra calories. Also it’s calorie content is very low. Fiber present in watermelon also helps to improve digestion.
EXTRA TIP : You can make healthy watermelon Popsicle, watermelon slushie and many other fun recipes. So, I will share an easy watermelon Popsicle recipe
WATERMELON POPSICLE RECIPE :
INGREDIENTS :
- Watermelon – 1
- Lemon – 1
- Strawberries – 4
- Popsicle mold
- Bamboo sticks
DIRECTIONS :
- Chop watermelon roughly and remove seeds ( if you want )
- Chop strawberries
- In a blending jar add chopped watermelon, strawberries and add lemon juice
- Blend everything together
- Pour the mixture into popsicle mold
- Keep these popsicles in freezer overnight or 6-7 hours
- Remove them and enjoy.
HEART CARE :
Watermelon helps to improve your heart health and make your heart healthy, because lycopene, an antioxidant is present in it.
Which reduces cholesterol and maintains blood pressure. Watermelon also helps to remove plaque from the arteries which can cause many heart diseases.
HIGH IN NUTRIENTS :
Watermelon besides being a tasty fruit, is full of nutrients such as potassium, lycopene, citrulline, fiber, copper, vitamin A, B, C which all are essential for maintaining and healthy functioning of our body.
BENEFICIAL SEEDS :
Not only watermelon is full of health benefits but it’s seeds are also highly beneficial for your health.
Watermelon seeds are rich in amino acids, protein, copper, iron, folate, magnesium and antioxidants which helps to make your hair healthy, manages diabetes, make your skin glowing and healthy and prevents the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
HOW TO EAT WATERMELON SEEDS ?
- There is no need to worry about eating them, you can eat them raw while eating watermelon
- You can also dry them and then eat
- Dry them, them roast the seeds, eat them directly or add in your salad, smoothies or ice creams.
- Basically you can eat them in any way you like.
IMPROVES MOOD :
Watermelon is best for boosting good mood. Whenever you feel depressed or low just grab a bowl of watermelon lift up your mood.
Because it is rich in vitamin B6 which produces serotonin ( neurotransmitter ) that makes you feel good and enhances your mood.
REMOVES FREE RADICALS :
Watermelon helps to remove the free radicals from your body which causes damage to the cells. As watermelon is loaded with lycopene, that fights with free radicals.
It is important to destroy free radicals because they causes aging, increases inflammation in body that leads to many diseases, so grab a bowl of watermelon to destroy and reduce the effect of free radicals.
HOW MUCH TO EAT IN A DAY :
A bowl of watermelon that can contain around 300-400 grams of watermelon can be consumed in a day.
SIDE EFFECTS :
- Excess consumption of watermelon can cause upset stomach and other digestion problems
- Person suffering from hyperkalemia should avoid eating much watermelon because it can lead to overdose of potassium.
- It may increase water level in body on excess consumption.
