Benefits of Watermelon

Evidence suggests that regularly eating watermelon promotes good health and may reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. This is likely thanks, in part, to its antioxidants, which help protect your body from stress and prevent or slow cell damage.

Here are some benefits of eating watermelon:

1. May reduce inflammation and stress. Inflammation is a key ingredient for many chronic diseases. Watermelon’s high content of vitamin C, antioxidants, and lycopene may help lower levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein and oxidative damage. 
2. Help with muscle soreness. Citrulline, an amino acid found in watermelon, may improve exercise performance and reduce muscle soreness. This compound helps expand blood vessels so that your heart doesn’t need to work as hard to pump blood through your body. 
3. Improves skin’s natural glow. Not only is watermelon hydrating, which in turn can help make your skin glow, but vitamins A and C, which are found in the fruit, are important for maintaining skin health. Vitamin C helps the production of collagen, a protein that keeps your skin supple and your hair strong. Vitamin A is also important for healthy skin since it helps create and repair skin cells. 
4. Aids digestion. Watermelon contains plenty of water and fiber, both of which are necessary for healthy digestion. Fiber helps keep your bowels regular, while water moves waste through your digestive tract more efficiently. 
5. Helps you stay hydrated. Along with all its other benefits, watermelon is made of about 92% water, making it a great choice for daily water intake. Body temperature regulation, normal organ functions, delivery of nutrients to cells, and alertness are only some of the bodily processes that rely on adequate hydration. Watermelon is also low in caloric intake, helping keep a healthy weight!

Watermelon is a tasty, thirst-quenching treat that many people enjoy, especially during the hot months of summer! People have speculated watermelon contains a lot of sugar, but it has less sugar than most popular fruits. Mangos, grapes, cherries and pears all have more grams of sugar per serving than watermelon. But watermelon still has about 17 grams per slice, so it’s best not to load up on too much at once. 

Best way to consume watermelon:

1. Cutting it and eating it raw (except the rind!)
2. Lightly grilling (around two minutes each side)
3. Adding it to a salad or stir-fry
4. Throwing in a blender for a refreshing beverage or smoothie
5. Pickling the rind

Searching for the perfect watermelon can be tough, but with a few pointers you can choose the best one! When choosing a watermelon, look for one that is firm, symmetrical and heavy for its size. There should be a yellow spot on the underside as the result of sitting on the ground and ripening in the sun. If the spot is very pale or white, it may have been picked too soon and will not be ripe.

No matter when you dig in, watermelon is a nutritious fruit pick that’s super hydrating and chock-full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Just be sure to enjoy it in moderation.