Eating watermelon is a safe alternative to taking energy drinks prior to exercise. It also hydrates you due to its high water content as opposed to caffeine filled energy drinks that dehydrate you.
| Health Benefits of Water Melon |
Studies have shown that intake of fruits contributes immensely to our healthy living. Fruits is a huge source of vitamins which is needed by our body. As we look at the top ten fruits that can be commonly found in Nigeria, we hope you will take note of its benefits and make it a duty to include fruits has part of your daily meals.
Antioxidants :
Watermelon is a natural source of nature’s most powerful antioxidants. It is a good source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A. It is also a good source of the powerful antioxidant beta-carotene. Watermelon’s antioxidants can help prevent a number of things. It reduces the risk of colon cancer, asthma, heart disease, osteoperosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostate cancer.
Kidney Disorders:
Water Melon contains a lot of potassium, which is very helpful in cleaning or washing off the toxic depositions in the kidneys. Moreover, it is helpful in reducing concentration of uric acid in the blood, thereby reducing the chances of kidney damages and formation of renal calculi in it. Added to these, being high in water content, it induces frequent urinating, which is again helpful for cleaning of kidneys. Also, the anti oxidants present ensures good health of kidneys for a long time.
High Blood Pressure:
A good amount of Potassium and magnesium, present in water melons, are very good in bringing down the blood pressure. The carotenoids present in them prevent hardening of walls of arteries and veins, thereby helping reduce blood pressure.
Diabetes:
Diabetes patients, who are supposed to have low energy and low sugar diet, often complaint about starving since they don’t get to eat their staple diet to their full, giving them a feeling of keeping half fed. Water Melons can be a good supplement for them. In spite of being sweet in taste, a thick wedge will give you very few calories, since ninety nine percent of its total weight is composed of water and roughage. Moreover, the various vitamins and minerals such as potassium and magnesium help in proper functioning of insulin in the body, thus lowering the blood sugar level. Arginine, another component found in water melons, is very effective in enhancing impact of insulin on sugar.
Heart Care:
Lypocene, a carotenoid found in abundance in water melon, improves cardiac functions. Beta carotene, known for its remarkable anti oxidant and anti aging properties, also keeps you young at the heart and prevents age related cardiac problems. The roughage in water melon and its very low energy, with help from vitamin-C, Carotenoids and potassium (potassium cuts the risk of a heart attack), help reduce cholesterol and keep your heart safe.
Impotence:
Arginine, present in water melon, is beneficial in curing Attention dysfunctions.
Arginine seems to improve intimate function in men with impotence. Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels. A study of 50 men with impotence reported significant improved intimate function after arginine supplementation.
Macular Degeneration :
Eating watermelon can protect against the negative effects of macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration is just a fancy word for loss of vision.
Leave your worry of eyes on that beta carotene, that vitamin-C and those Lutein and Zeaxanthin.
They will ensure protection of your eyes from macular degeneration. They are experts in that.
These anti oxidants will protect your eyes from other age related ailments such as drying up of eyes and optical nerves, glaucoma etc.
Cancer Prevention :
Watermelon is a rich natural source of lycopene, a carotenoid of great interest because of its antioxidant capacity and potential health benefits. Dietary consumption of the carotenoid lycopene has been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. Data from studies provides evidence that increased consumption of lycopene-containing foods might reduce the occurrence or progression of prostate cancer. The results of a study suggest that vegetables and fruits rich in lycopene and other carotenoids may be protective against prostate cancer.
To determine whether dietary intake of lycopene and other carotenoids has an etiological association with prostate cancer, a study was conducted of 130 prostate cancer patients. The prostate cancer risk declined with increasing consumption of lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin.
Nutrient Profile Per Serving ::
Vitamin A: 10%
Vitamin C: 25%
Vitamin B6: 10%
Vitamin B1: 10%
Magnesium: 7%
Potassium: 5%
Before eating watermelon, make sure that it is washed properly, as the rind may contain soil particles, which can cause other diseases. Watermelon can be refrigerated in sealed containers up to a week.
Hence, due to various health benefits of watermelon, it is one of the most significant fruits available.
Reference:
http://health.learninginfo.org/nutrition-facts/watermelon.htm
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-water-melon