Why You Should Eat Water melon

Why You Should Eat Water melon

   October 10, 2018       Lyn Alina

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What kind of fruit that you will crave to eat during hot season? Well..everybody knows that watermelon is the perfect fruit to enjoy during hot weather.  This is because watermelon contains a lot of fluid and is refreshing, soothing, hydrating and a-must-have fruit in every fruit stalls all over the world!

Despite its soothing and hydrating characteristics, eating watermelon won't ruin your diet even if you are eating it in a large quantities because 1 cup of watermelon has roughly about 46 calories. So, to consume watermelon to fill your stomach as snack is a good option rather than munching on unhealthy cookies that contain dangerously high amount of calories and sugar.

This article will explain the benefits of consuming watermelon.

It keeps you hydrated

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Watermelon is well known for its juicy and refreshing characteristics. In addition of drinking water, you can also keeps your body rehydrate by eating fruits with high water content such as watermelon. The watermelon flesh contains of roughly 92% of water (ref), this is the reason why eating watermelon won't dehyrate you, in fact will helps you to feel full.

It has anti cancer property

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Watermelon is rich in natural source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that is essential for your body.

Lycopene is a type of carotenoid with absence of Vitamin A activity,so it is different from alpha and beta carotene. (ref).  Lycopene present mostly in red- colored fruits such as watermelon, tomato, papaya and pink guava. Research shown that lycopene may have the potential to curb certain types of cancers such as prostate and colon cancer. Lycopene works by preventing tissue cells death, preventing cancer tissues from spreading, slowing down the cancer cells progression. (ref).

Another studies reported that females who eat watermelon on regular basis have five times less likely to get cervical cancer (ref).  Besides, the lycopene also may reduce the chances of getting breast, ovary and endometrial cancer.

Choose watermelon with bright red in color rather than the yellow or orange colored one and the riper the watermelon the better.

It helps in lower cholesterol level and prevent heart disease

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Heart disease and dyslipidemia are systemic illnesses which are among the leading cause of death worldwide.

They can be prevented by taking your initial step towards a healthier lifestyle and diet and to consume highly nutritious foods. Luckily, watermelon has nutrients that may benefits to your heart and cardiovascular system.

Studies have shown that lycopene in watermelon helps to reduce cholesterol level. Its the antioxidant property that helps to prevent damage of lipid cells by free radicals and reduce the size of artherosclerotic plaque (ref).

Additionally, lycopene, along with an amino acid in watermelon called citrulline that can increase nitric oxide levels in the body may also beneficial in improving vascular function and reduce arterial stiffness and lower blood pressure by expanding your blood vessels. (ref).

But of course, eatingwater melon alone won't keep your heart healthy, you also need to adapt a healthier lifestyle, be smart of your food choices, quit smoking and do some workouts!

Protect your joint and prevent inflammation

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Joint health is extremely important for body movement. Therefore, it is best to supple and prevent your joints from any debilitating conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

Watermelon rich in Vitamin C, lycopene and beta-cryptovanthin that act as an inflammatory agent and antioxidant. Antioxidant is essential to lower oxidative stress by free radicals and hence may prevent inflammation of your joint.

Good for your eye health

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Macula degeneration, a condition that affects your vision due to the thinning the macula layer of retina may also be prevented by eating watermelon that rich in lycopene. It prevents the disease occurrence by inhibit oxidative stress by free radicals and inflammation of your retina and eye. (ref).

Just eating a serving of watermelon can provides you with more than 30% of vitamin A your need each day.

Sooth you skin and good for your hair

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Supple your hair and skin by eating watermelon that rich in Vitamin A and C to help them stay soft, healthy and smooth.

Vitamin C is important for your body to make collagen, a protein that helps to maintain your skin elasticity and stronger hair. Whereas Vitamin A is essential for cell production and growth, hence it can prevents your skin from getting dry and flaky.

On top of that, lycopene may also helps prevent skin aging by preventing cellular damage by oxidative stress. The good news is, watermelon is not only best to be consume, making facial mask from watermelon will also work for your skin. Blend the watermelon with little water and spread over your face and leave it until dry before you can rinse it off. Additionally, you can also add in yogurt for additional benefit.

It has UV protection

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Lycopene is also known to have UV protection benefits and prevent our skin from sunburn. The antioxidant helps to block UV penetration from damaging our skin deeper down. It acts as natural form of skin protection from damaging UV ray which may lead to not only skin damage but may also cause skin cancer if left untreated.

Help to relieve muscle soreness and can boost your workouts

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Watermelon's high water content, 7.55% of carbohydrates where 6.2% are sugars and citrulline, an amino acid may make a better workouts as it provides energy booster. (ref).

Citrulline and potassium in watermelon may also helps to reduce muscle soreness from workouts and it may enhance your exercise endurance and your workout performance. The key is not to push yourself too much when you workout.

Help to control blood sugar level and prevent diabetes type 2

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Diabetes is marked by high sugar level in blood, medically known as hyperglycemia. Diet high in sugar and its auto-oxidation will result in generation of free radicals and cell damage. Lycopene manages hyperglycemia by reducing sugar in the blood and increasing insulin level therefore helps to prevent diabetes type 2.

Furthermore, watermelon has low glycemic index (GI) of 80 with only few carbohydrates. It is better to satisfy your sweet tooth by eating a slice of watermelon which has lower GI and calorie rather than eating a scoop of ice cream which has more than 300 calories. So, you can enjoy watermelon without guilt!

Easy to digest

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Eating water and fiber rich fruits including watermelon is beneficial to keep your gut healthy and improves digestion. Watermelon high water content can helps to soften your stool and smoothen your digestive tract movement. Whereas its fiber content helps to provide bulk for your stool and thus effective as bowel cleanser.