With the warmer weather approaching, we start to reach for fresher, in-season fruits and vegetables. Often vibrant in color, these health foods not only entice our senses but offer us many health benefits as well.
One fruit that’s fresh and going to be popping up more so in the next few months is watermelon – and you should take note because this delicious fruit has a lot to offer.
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Watermelon is great on its own or even topped with some mint and feta cheese, but its deliciousness isn’t all it has going for it. Watermelon contains numerous benefits from benefit for weight loss to benefits for the skin, so you’ll want to stock up while they’re in season this year!
Let’s further explore the health benefits of watermelons and you’ll understand why it’s a superfood for great health.
Nutritional facts about watermelons
First and foremost, before we dive into the health benefits of watermelons, let’s look into the nutritional facts about watermelons. The term watermelon doesn’t just come from nowhere, watermelons are 92 percent water. This may make you think that the watermelon doesn’t have much to offer, but that’s not one bit true.
Nutritional facts about watermelons indicate they are packed with vitamins A, B6 and C – a bit surprising that those vitamins can be hiding in watermelon water. Watermelons also contain antioxidants as well as lycopene and amino acids.
Lycopene, in particular, is essential to good health as it promotes healthy reactions within the body. In research, it has been linked to help bones and heart health. Better yet, the antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties.
The best part about watermelon, though? Well, it’s fat-free, low in sodium and only 40 calories per cup. No wonder watermelon has benefits for weight loss – it’s the ideal guilt-free snack.
Health benefits of watermelons
Now that we have a basic understanding of the nutritional facts about watermelons, we can further explore the many health benefits of watermelons. As we said, there are many watermelon benefits for weight loss and benefits for the skin. You can either get these benefits from the melon itself or you can get benefits of watermelon juice as well. No matter how you enjoy it, watermelon is sure to improve your health.
Watermelon benefits for weight loss
Trying to shed a few extra pounds? Whether it’s for your health or the look, watermelon can help with that. Watermelon benefits for weight loss start with their low-energy density. This refers to a food’s calories per serving. In the case of watermelon, you can enjoy quite a bit and receive very few calories. The benefit? Because watermelon is mainly water, it fills you up without the added calories, leading to weight loss.
Additionally, watermelon can improve digestion and constipation, which are two factors that can contribute to your weight. It’s watermelon’s fiber and water content which aids in constipation and maintains regularity. If you’re able to go, you’re not harboring toxins and sludge which can lead to weight gain.
Watermelon also promotes hydration and this, too, is vital for successful weight loss. When we are dehydrated, we tend to retain fluid which can lead to bloating. Enjoying watermelon can reduce bloating and, in turn, lead to weight loss.
Watermelon benefits for the skin
Don’t think watermelon has benefits for the skin? You’d be guessing wrong. Watermelon’s vitamin A and C are what give watermelon benefits for the skin. Vitamin A is necessary for sebum to produce oil under the skin. Sebum is what keeps the skin and hair moisturized, so boosting your vitamin A can give you with moisturized skin and hair.
Additionally, vitamin C builds and maintains collagen; this is what gives our skin and hair structure. Without collagen, our skin would not be as tight and firm. And going back to watermelon’s hydrating abilities, water is essential to all major bodily functions and parts, including the skin as well. When we are hydrated, our skin is fresh and glowing so if water bores you, make sure you’re enjoying some watermelon to keep hydrated.
Additional health benefits of watermelon
Aside from weight loss and skin health, watermelon can help your health overall as well. For example, watermelon can assist in maintaining healthy blood pressure because of its lycopene, as reported in the American Journal of Hypertension.
Furthermore, its amino acid content can help relieve and reduce muscle soreness, so if you’re partaking in exercise (we hope you are!), ensure watermelon is part of your post-workout meal.
Vitamin C is also essential to a healthy immune system, and when your immune system it working top-notch the odds of falling ill decrease.
Benefits of watermelon juice
So we understand that we should be eating watermelon for improved health, but if you want to improve your performance in the bedroom, stick with the benefits of watermelon juice.
Research published in Urology showed one of watermelon’s amino acids – citrulline – can increase blood flow to the penis in a fashion similar to Viagra. Italian researchers gave 24 men who had minor erectile dysfunction (ED) an oral supplementation of L-citrulline for one month and a placebo for another.
When the men started this study their Erection Hardness Score (EHS) was three – a score of four would mean the penis is fully hard so three indicates minor ED. After the supplementation month was done, post-placebo month, the men reported improvements that half of men’s EHS went from three to four. As well, the amount of times these men experience intercourse also increased.
When blood flow becomes increased, then our parts can begin working properly. So if you’re wondering about the benefits of watermelon juice, look no further than giving you a boost to your bedroom activities. Better yet, it doesn’t contain any nasty side effects that many pharmaceuticals offer.
Enjoy watermelon for improved health
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Even if you’ve been enjoying watermelon when the summertime rolls around, now you know the health benefits of watermelon as well. If the fruit on its own wasn’t enticing enough, its ability to aid in weight loss, better skin and even your libido and blood pressure should be enough for you to be going for seconds.
Nutritional facts about watermelon indicate it’s not only healthy, but can easily be enjoyed daily because of its zero fat and low calories. No need to feel guilty snacking on this food then!
Now that we can start heading outdoors again and enjoying the sunshine, enjoy some watermelon as well. Not only will you stay hydrated, but you’ll remain healthy in the long-run as well.
