Health Benefits of Watermelon
Avoid Cancer and Rehydrate Yourself
You could probably guess what the health benefits of watermelon are. They are similar to the benefits of juicing tomatoes.
C’mon – it’s easy! If you’ve read many articles on this website you should be able to get most of them right.
But hang on… what point am I making?
That fruits and vegetables are amazing for your health. The health benefits of watermelon juice are no exception.
Of course, it’s not exactly the same as an apple, a stick of celery or glass of beetroot juice. These things are similar in that they all contain massive amounts of antioxidants.
You’ve probably already heard me raving on about antioxidants and what they can do for you. In this article, we’re going to have a close look at what the antioxidants in watermelon do specifically.
However, before we get into the health benefits of watermelon juice, let’s talk quickly about its status as a “fruit”.
For years, the debate has raged over whether watermelon is a fruit or a vegetable. In my opinion, it simply depends how you look at it.
Squash, cucumber and pumpkin are vegetables and watermelon falls into their family, so it’s fairly reasonable to say that watermelon is a vegetable. But then we have botanists on the other side (plant loving people) who refer to watermelon as a fruit.
I’m going to refer to it as a fruit too, since that’s how I’ve always seen it. It’s sweet, juicy and tastes great (like most fruits), so hey, why not? If you like the health benefits of watermelon, you’ll love the health benefits of grapefruit juice.
And now, after venturing slightly off topic, let’s jump back into line and dig into the health benefits of watermelon.
The Health Benefits of Watermelon
One of the first things to understand about watermelon is that it contains plenty of powerful antioxidants. The benefits of antioxidants are fantastic.
Antioxidants are best understood as little warriors fighting a war. The war they fight isn’t for money or land or oil, instead, it’s for dominion over your body. Antioxidants pack some heavy firepower, and are very well equipped to defeat their enemies.
Luckily, antioxidants are on your side. Their enemies are things like cancers, tumors and anything which acts to have a negative effect on your body. They have been linked to preventing and even curing cancer, and are found mainly in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.
The antioxidants in watermelon have been found to reduce the severity of asthma, and also to reduce the risk of various diseases including colon cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and prostate cancer.
Talk about amazing health benefits of watermelon!
- Antioxidant firepower. Watermelon contains some of the most powerful antioxidants so far discovered. This is where most of the health benefits of watermelon are derived from.
- Vitamin warehouse. Loaded with Vitamin C and packed with Vitamin A (due to its concentration of beta-carotene).
- Stop getting the cold. Vitamin C is something most people associate to oranges. But watermelon has a lot of it, and it contributes to a strong immune system as well as slower aging.
- Lycopene. A potent antioxidant that gives watermelon its bright red color. Up until recently, it was thought to be only in tomatoes. But recent studies have shown watermelon to have the highest lycopene content out of any fruit or vegetable.
- Prevents prostate cancer. This is due to the antioxidants, especially lycopene. Watermelon is great when juicing for cancer prevention.
- Rehydration. Rich in electrolytes and 90% water so it’s a healthy alternative to Gatorade, as well as tasting downright amazing.
- Increased energy. Truckloads of Vitamin B contribute to increased energy production. Some food experts recommend watermelon for Vitamin B1, B6 and magnesium deficiencies.
- Cope with anxiety and panic. Vitamin B6 increases the brains ability to cope with anxiety and panic.
- Cooling effect. Scientists have found that the health benefits of watermelon include a special cooling effect.
- Lose weight. Watermelon is completely, 100% fat free.
- Cholesterol free. No need to worry if you have cholesterol problems.
- Prevents macular degeneration. Another word for loss of vision, macular degeneration can be prevented by eating or drinking watermelon. The benefits of carrot juice are similar.
- Prevent heart disease. Another benefit of the antioxidants, and something you will find with most fruits and vegetables.
- Prevent erectile dysfunction. Scientists are even saying it works similar to Viagra by relaxing the blood vessels.
A good way to look at a watermelon is just like a multivitamin, only with an amazing taste.
On a side note, green tea has been found to work synergistically with foods rich in lycopene (such as watermelon). When green tea is consumed alongside these foods, the beneficial effects are more pronounced.
Vitamins
- Vitamin A – 1627 IU
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) – 0.094 mg
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – 0.06 mg
- Niacin – 0.509 mg
- Folate – 9 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid – 0.632 mg
- Vitamin B6 – 0.129 mg
- Vitamin C – 23.2 mg
- Vitamin E – 0.14 mg
- Vitamin K – 0.3 mcg
*Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.
Minerals
- Potassium – 320 mg
- Phosphorus – 31 mg
- Magnesium – 29 mg
- Calcium – 20 mg
- Sodium – 3 mg
- Iron – 0.69 mg
- Selenium 1.1 mcg
- Manganese – 0.109 mg
- Copper – 0.12 mg
- Zinc – 0.29 mg
*Also contains small amounts of other minerals.
How Do You Pick a Good Juicing Watermelon?
Typically, most people tap a watermelon and wait for the characteristic “thump”. Try these handy tips too:
- Find a watermelon which is firm and symmetrical and free of bruises, dents and cuts.
- Pick it up and test its weight. It should be heavy – it’s 90% water.
- On the bottom of the watermelon there should be a creamy, yellow spot from its days when it sat in the sun and ripened itself up.
Other Uses for Watermelon
In the Arab world, instead of juicing watermelon, salted and roasted watermelon seeds are consumed as a snack. They are a great source of protein, as well as magnesium, calcium and potassium.
In its early history, many people consumed watermelon as their primary water source. That’s right, people knew about the health benefits of watermelon before you or I were on the scene.
Whether You’re Eating or Juicing Watermelon…
…make sure you enjoy it!
It tastes great as a juice, and is incredibly refreshing. Try making it on its own first to see if you like the taste. Then start experimenting with other recipes and see what combinations you can come up with.
Enjoy the benefits of watermelon juice, and keep doing everything you can to be healthy and enjoy life!
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