Health Benefits of Watermelon

Seasonal fruits are always a tasty and nutritious. Moreover, nature has its own way of producing seasonal fruits, in respect to the need of the season. That means, summer fruits provide enough hydration for the body while winter fruits are immunity boosting, to fight seasonal health disorders. Watermelons are one such healthy seasonal fruits that are both nutritious and tasty. Watermelons belong to the melon family of Cucurbitaceae, with the species name, Citrullus lanatus. This is a vine-like flowering plant. There are different varieties of watermelon, some seeded and some seedless as well as in yellow or orange hues. To know some interesting facts about water melons, look at the end of the post.

Being a summer fruit, watermelons combat heat with its water content and can be used in variety of desserts, with its sweet taste. Water melons are known for its high antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, while having low calories.

1. Watermelons have significant amount of vitamins such as A, B6 and C, and minerals like potassium.
2. It has lots of lycopene, amino acids and several antioxidants like Beta-carotene and phenolic antioxidant.
3. Watermelons are basically, fat-free and contain very low amounts of sulfur.

Health benefits

• Watermelons helps you keep yourself hydrated. This water content rich fruit contains full of good electrolytes that prevents heat stroke.
• It also contains fiber that keeps the digestive tract healthy without constipation problems.
• Watermelons contain high amount of lycopene, a phytonutrient that generates healthy reactions with the body. Lycopene is also a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Watermelons are linked with heart health and bone health. It also prevents prostate cancer and asthma problems.
• Lycopene helps protect the body from cell damage and lowers the risk of heart diseases.
• The fruit also has two other compounds – citrulline and arginine – which reduce excess fat accumulation and improve blood flow to the heart.
• Studies show that watermelon extracts lowers blood pressure as well as reduces hypertension in obese adults.
• The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of watermelons help neutralize free radicals and keep chronic inflammation down.

Skin and Hair benefits

1. The presence of Vitamin A in watermelons helps keep your skin and hair moisturized.
2. Both vitamin A and C encourages healthy growth of collagen and elastin cells in the skin.
3. Watermelon also has anti-aging properties.
4. It has astringent properties that allow it to be used as a natural toner.
5. With rich source of vitamin A, watermelon helps remove excess oil from skin.
6. It has anti-inflammatory soothing properties that help it in treatment of sunburns.
   

   You can make a face pack with equal amounts of watermelon and cucumber pulp. Applying this on face for 20 minutes soothes and heals the sunburns.it also lightens skin tone.

   You can make a face mask with a mix of watermelon juice and avocado to get plump skin.

7. The presence of phytonutrients like citrulline and arginine promotes hair growth.

Some Interesting Facts about Watermelons

• Watermelon has an African origin, probably from the Kalahari Desert.
• In Egyptian culture, watermelons were placed in the burial tombs with a thought of nourishing the kings in their afterlife.
• Watermelon harvest in Egyptian hieroglyphics was depicted to be about 5,000 years ago.
• African slaves were the ones who brought watermelons to the United States.
• More than 200 to 300 varieties of watermelons are cultivated all around the world.
• The watermelon is the official vegetable of Oklahoma State.
• Do you know even the rind part of watermelon is eatable? Not many. But it has equally the same benefits, probably more.
• As per Guinness record, world’s heaviest watermelon was grown in Arkansas, in 2005, weighing around 120 kgs.