Watermelon is a refreshing and sweet, low-calorie snack during summer. It gives you hydration, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and essential nutrients that your body needs. It is part of the Cucurbitaceae family along with cucumber, honeydew, and cantaloupe. 

Watermelon is 92 percent water, and it is the only food considered as both vegetable and fruit. All watermelon, including its peel, can be eaten. It is rich in several vitamins and is 6 percent sugar content only. 

It would be best if you looked for a watermelon that is firm when buying one, those that are symmetrical, heavy, and without bruising or soft spots. You have to tap outside to feel its fruit texture inside. Watermelon is beneficial to your health, and here is a list of some health benefits of watermelon and it’s nutritional content.

Health Benefits 

It is best to eat watermelon to stay hydrated in the summer season, and its natural sugar and sweetness are satisfying. It contains antioxidants and substances that help remove molecules such as reactive species or free radicals from your body. 

The body generates free radicals in the natural process, metabolism. It is developed through environmental pressures, stress, air pollution, and smoking. 

If so many radicals will stay in our body, oxidative stress is possible to occur. It can result in a range of disease and cell damage, such as heart disease and cancer. 

Though the body naturally removes free radicals, dietary antioxidants help in the process. 

Here are how antioxidants and nutrients that various types of watermelon contain can help protect your health and its benefits.

Reduces Blood Pressure

The watermelon’s extract reduces blood pressure around and in the ankles of midlife people with hypertension and obesity. Two of the watermelon’s antioxidants can enhance the arteries’ functions. 

And the other watermelon’s antioxidants can protect you from heart disease by reducing inflammation, which connects with a high density of good cholesterol or lipoprotein ( HDL ). By lowering your cholesterol, it may prevent cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

Diuretic Properties 

A lot of people are using diuretic drugs to help remove excess salt and water from their bodies. It is useful for people suffering from high blood pressure, kidney problems, and other health conditions. 

Watermelon’s diuretic actions can be as effective as the well-known diuretic called furosemide. Watermelon can be a natural option for people experiencing an excess of fluids. Don’t stop taking a diuretic prescription without a physician’s advice.

Improve Metabolic Syndrome 

Watermelon improves the features of metabolic syndromes, such as cardiovascular measures and obesity. People with obesity will feel less hungry when eating Watermelon and feel more satisfaction rather than eating cookies. 

Moreover, after weeks of eating watermelon, people with obesity will :

• Improve their waist to hip ratio
• Lowers systolic blood pressure
• Reduces body mass index and body weight
• A higher level of antioxidants in their blood

Those who eat cookies rather than watermelon will develop a higher level of oxidative stress and an increase in body fat and blood pressure. A watermelon is a good option for snacks to people with metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Healthy Skin 

Watermelon consists of vitamin C, needed for the body to produce collagen. Collagen is essential for immune function and cell structure. It also promotes healthy skin, healing of wounds, and reduces the risk of age-related skin damage.

Reduces Muscle Soreness 

Watermelon and watermelon juices can help reduce muscle soreness. It is beneficial for athletes to enhance their recovery time during workouts. Drinking watermelon juices reduces muscle soreness up to 72hours after a race.

Contributes to the Functions of the Nervous System and the Brain

 Watermelon produces choline as an antioxidant which contributes to the following activities and functions : 

• Early brain development
• Transmission of nerve impulse
• Maintaining the structure of cell membranes
• Improves muscle movement
• Enhances learning and memory

Choline helps to slow the progress of dementia with people who have Alzheimer’s disease.

Keeps You Hydrated 

Watermelon is 92 percent water and produces electrolytes like potassium. It is a healthy snack during the summer season. People can eat a watermelon fresh, frozen in slices, as juice, or a popsicle snack for kids during summer.

Prevents Irregular Bowel Movements 

Watermelon provides fiber and has high water content. It helps promote healthy bowel, preventing irregular bowel movements, and constipation.

Prevents Cancer 

Watermelon’s dietary antioxidants, such as vitamin C, helps to prevent cancer by fighting free radicals. Free radicals can develop some types of cancer, and the oxidative stress results in damaging the DNA cell.

Prevents Asthma 

Asthma develops through the contribution of free radicals, antioxidants in the lungs, such as vitamin C that watermelon contains can reduce the risk of getting asthma. A cup of watermelon balls provides all the nutrients that are needed by people daily.

Takeaway 

Watermelon is a natural sugar content fruit. It is better to consume it as a whole so the body can absorb the sugar quickly. You could also make watermelon as juice, salad, smoothies, and even roast its seeds. There is a range of watermelon products to choose from and enjoy the health benefits you get from having one.