17 Jun Benefits of watermelon
Did you know all the wonderful benefits of watermelon on a hot beachy summer day?. One of my favorite snacks to bring along with me on beach days is some juicy watermelon. Who doesn’t?! Just one bite into a watermelon slice makes you feel hydrated, nourished, and cool.
Now, I’ll be honest, I never buy a full watermelon because I’m horrible at slicing a whole watermelon by myself. I usually will just by the halves or quarters of one. A quarter of one lasts us about a week anyways, so it works for our family. Wondering why watermelon should be one of the fruits to snack on this summer? Read on.
Health Benefits Of Watermelon
Watermelon is a huge source of nutrients. It has vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and has an amino acid that is able to convert to an essential amino acid. A study done in the Journal of Nutrition showed that watermelon has citrulline that turns into arginine, which is an essential amino acid that helps with cardiovascular function and immune system function as well! The amino acid that watermelon contains, citrulline, has researched to be supportive therapy to high blood pressure.
Another study in the Journal of Nutrition showed that watermelon was boosting with lycopene, which plays a major antioxidant role in our body. Tomatoes have been known to have a significant lycopene source, but watermelon is right up there with tomatoes. Lycopene promotes heart health, protects against damage of your DNA, and fights free radicals. A study done in the Journal American College of Nutrition talks in depth about the connection between lycopene and decrease of chronic diseases, like heart disease and cancer.
It’s showing an improved intercellular communication and supports metabolic pathways in the body. The antioxidant work of lycopene is being studied to be a chemopreventive because it induces apoptosis (proper cell death, which is important and necessary because in cancer this doesn’t happen) and inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
Watermelon is mostly water, so it’s very hydrating to the body during hot days. It’s a great fruit to have for post workout because of the natural electrolytes that it holds. A study done in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that watermelon juice helped after exercise by reducing recovery heart rate and muscle soreness. Athletes that did not drink the watermelon juice had more muscle soreness.
Did you know that the watermelon seeds are a great source of iron? Surprisingly, watermelon seeds aren’t affected by the anti-nutrients that are naturally found in seeds. They are pretty bioavailable, which means our body is able to absorb the nutrients freely.
To Get Organic Or Not To Get Organic?
Watermelon isn’t on the dirty dozen list. The dirty dozen list is a list written by the EWG (Environmental Working Group) that studies which fruits and vegetables are more saturated with pesticides. Watermelon doesn’t fall in this group. Also, since watermelon has a pretty hard rind around the part of the watermelon you actually eat. You don’t need to buy this fruit organic. I like following the rule that if the skin of the fruit or vegetable is pretty thick, like an avocado or banana or orange, I don’t worry too much about choosing conventional over organic. So this fruit, you don’t have to sweat it about finding it organic.
Get some of this juicy fruit on your table today! It’s a perfect addition to any cookout, beach day, or a picnic lunch. Stay healthy my friends!
