benefits of watermelons

Watermelons are an excellent source of several vitamins: vitamin A, which helps maintain eye health and is an antioxidant; vitamin C, which helpsandstrengthen immunity, heal wounds, prevent cell damage, promote healthy teeth and gums; and vitamin B6, which helps brain function and helps convert protein to energy.

If you have ever tasted a watermelon, it is probably no surprise to you why this juicy, refreshing fruit has this name. Watermelon has an extremely high water content, approximately 92%, giving its flesh a juicy and thirst-quenching texture while still also subtly crunchy. As a member of theCucurbitaceaeandfamily, the watermelon is related to the cantaloupe, squash, pumpkin, cucumber, and gourd that grow on vines on the ground. Watermelons can be round, oblong, or spherical in shape and feature thick green rinds that are often spotted or striped. (Many people report, however, that they like the taste and predictable ripeness of a watermelon best if the watermelon is symmetrical in shape.)and

Watermelons are generally believed to have originated in Africa several thousand years ago and to have traveled over time from Africa to Asia to Europe to North America. Their arrival in Asia and the Middle East is believed to date back to approximately 900

Achieve that younger-looking skin with just 2-cups of watermelon daily. Research showed that watermelon cuts the risk of sun related skin damage by 40%. Thatands because watermelon is natureands richest source of lycopene, an antioxidant that scavenges the UV-induced free radicals that cause sunburn and wrinkling. Lycopene may also help reduce the risks of cancer and other diseases.and

One cup of diced watermelon (152 grams) contains 43 calories, 0 grams of fat, 2 grams of sodium, 11 grams ofandcarbohydrateand(including 9 grams of sugar and 1 gram of fiber) and 1 gram of fiber. One cup of watermelon will provide 17% ofandvitaminandA, 21% of vitamin C, 2% of iron and 1% ofandcalciumandneeds for the day.

The risks for developingandasthmaandare lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is vitamin C, found in many fruits and vegetables including watermelon. Watermelons are considered a vine-like flowering plant that is actually native to Southern Africa, and it is there that the wild varieties are in the greatest abundance, ranging from super sweet to bitter, and varying in size as well.

Watermelon extract supplementation reduced ankleandblood pressure, brachial blood pressure and carotid wave reflection in obese middle-aged adults with prehypertension or stage 1andhypertensionandand that watermelon extract improved arterial function.

As an excellent source of the strong antioxidant vitamin C as well as other antioxidants, watermelon can help combat the formation of free radicals known to causeandcancer. Lycopene intake has been linked with a decreased risk ofandprostate cancerandprevention in several studies.

Watermelon, because of its water and fiber content, helps to preventandconstipationand promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract. The amount of protein in watermelon seeds is approximately 1 gram per 24 seeds. At this rate, weandre likely to get several grams of protein when we eat several slices of whole, seeded watermelon. While we would not want to depend on watermelon as a key protein food, this valuable amount of protein in its seeds should at least remind us that a fruit like watermelon does have something to offer us in the way of protein benefits.

Made up of 92% water and full of important electrolytes, watermelon is a great snack to have on hand during the hot summer months to preventanddehydration. watermelon as a great snack option, when you tally up its nutritive value, you might consider making this all-star a feature player in your cuisine.