The watermelon is the fruit of a plant family of Cucurbitaceae, which includes about 850 species, which produce large fruits and are protected by a hard rind.
This fruit is also known as patella, watermelon, or Melania. It is made up mainly of water; It also contains many nutrients such as vitamins A, B6, and C, a lot of lycopene, antioxidants, and amino acids. There is even a small amount of potassium and its caloric value is very low.
To highlight: It has refreshing qualities and a rich sweet flavor, so those who want to lose weight will find in this fruit a tasty dessert, guilt-free and, above all, very beneficial for health.
In the following article, you will be able to learn a little about the wonderful properties of watermelon, as well as its powerful health benefits.
Watermelon properties
in the world, There are different types of watermelons, some larger, others less rounded, and even some without the stripes. That characterizes them. Regardless of the type consumed, they are all highly healthy.
Note: Watermelon is made up of 90% water and electrolytes, which mainly helps keep the body hydrated, especially in the summer. It is also a source of vitamins and nutrients, antioxidants, amino acids, potassium, and lycopene.
On the other hand, we have to Watermelon has the properties of being a powerful diuretic, improving bone health, helping keep the digestive system in good working order, and preventing constipation. Likewise, it improves cardiovascular health and the immune system, among others.
Vitamins
Watermelon is a source of vitamins A, B6, B12, D, and C; which are very beneficial for health, since they are necessary nutrients for the body and its proper functioning.
These vitamins help keep the skin, and the mucosa of the digestive and respiratory system healthy, as well as keep the defenses high, They maintain the body’s metabolic processes.
Note: They contribute to the absorption of calcium, and also provide the body with antioxidants that help us prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Minerals
Among the minerals contained in this fruit are calcium, iron, magnesium potassium, and sodium among others; which are beneficial for the body, just like vitamins are.
Each one of them makes different contributions to the body, helping to keep bones strong, contribute to the production of hemoglobin, regulate blood glucose levels and heart rate, they also help the production of energy and protein.
Note: In the same way, these help us with the proper functioning of our nerves and muscles, as well as keeping our fluids in good balance.
Health benefits of watermelon
There are multiple benefits that watermelons offer us to keep the body functioning properly since it has a large amount of vitamins and minerals.
The Citrullus lanatus commonly called watermelon, is rich in lycopene, which gives it that characteristic red color. Several scientific studies report that lycopene has antioxidant properties and helps reduce some types of cancer. (1).
It is also a source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A, helping to produce pigments in the retina of the eye.
Below we will mention some of the benefits of watermelon for our health.
Strengthens cardiovascular health
Due to its content of the substance citrulline, watermelon contributes to good cardiovascular functioning, Helping to maintain the flexibility of blood vessels, it also prevents a possible heart attack.
In addition prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol molecules so it benefits cardiovascular health at the same time.
Lowers blood pressure
Drinking a glass of watermelon juice daily would be enough to help lower blood pressure, since it is a fruit with vasodilating effects that increases the synthesis of nitric oxide, with a consequent decrease in blood pressure.
Improves intestinal function
The high fiber content that watermelon contains positively contributes to the cleansing of the intestines and improves intestinal transit, as well as the correct functioning of the digestive system.
Prevents the accumulation of body fat
This fruit due to its large amount of water allows you to eat large portions without consuming many calories Different researchers found that the L-arginine it contains accelerates metabolism and promotes fat loss.
In addition Due to its potassium content, watermelon helps eliminate fluids. On the other hand, according to a study by the University of Kentucky, May also helps reduce body fat and cholesterol (2).
Increases visual health
As we mentioned before, it is a great source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin that contributes to the production of pigments in the retina of the eye, Likewise, it protects against age-related macular degeneration.
Tip: Eating three servings a day could reduce the risk of suffering from this disease.
Slows aging
The lycopene content of watermelons Helps delay the effects of aging caused by oxygenation of the body which causes spots and wrinkles on the skin.
Note: It is also rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C, which also help slow aging.
Reduces muscle fatigue
Among its advantages, It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, it is recommended to drink it blended before or after intense exercise to help with muscle soreness the next day.
In the same way, Helps lower the heart rate of athletes. This is because watermelon is rich in an amino acid called L-citrulline, which the body converts into L-arginine, which helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation.
Eliminates toxins from the body
It is a highly purifying fruit, which promotes the elimination of toxins from the body as it increases urine secretion by the kidneys. Its citrulline content makes watermelon an excellent detoxifier.
To highlight: Citrulline produces a diuretic effect, which helps eliminate excess water and toxins through urine, and arginine removes ammonia and other toxins from the body.
On the other hand, arginine increases nitrite oxide which also improves blood flow.
Helps prevent cancer
Watermelon is known for its antioxidant capacity, this carotenoid compound plays an important role in the fight against several types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, uterus, and lung since it protects cells against free radical damage.
Improves skin and hair
Hydrated and radiant skin, thanks to watermelon, is due to the high content of lycopene, and vitamins A and C that this fruit contains.
Therefore, Watermelon is wonderful for helping us maintain healthy skin, In addition, due to the antioxidant lycopene and its high water and fiber content, it is good protection against ultraviolet rays.
How to consume watermelon?
This is a very versatile and easy-to-consume fruit, we can consume it in salads, on skewers with other fruits, prepare juices, Cut it into pieces, and freeze it to later enjoy. Also, to prepare ice cream, you only have to blend the watermelon and place it in the buckets.
watermelon juice
This fruit is very representative of summer since its high water content makes it very light, hydrating, and at the same time refreshing, as well as satiating, best of all, it contains very few calories. Watermelon juice is one of the most common ways to consume it.
Ingredients
- ¼ Watermelon in Pieces
- 2 Cups of Water
- 1 Cup of Ice
Preparation
- Wash the watermelon very well before cutting it.
- Cut the watermelon pieces and place them in the blender along with the water and ice.
- Process everything very well, serve, and enjoy.
watermelon salad
There are different types of salads and they go very well as an accompaniment to different dishes and even They are great allies when dieting, A salad does not have to be boring to the eye or the palate. However, many people do not dare to eat salads regularly.
This fruit Due to its sweet flavor represents a good contrast with the salty and combines very well with cheese, tomato, and some basil leaves, With this fruit you give a different and very pleasant touch to salads
Ingredients
- 1 Cup of watermelon pieces
- ½ chopped red onion
- 2 Cups of Basil Leaves
- 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt to taste
- ½ Cup of chopped almonds
Preparation
- Wash the watermelon very well before cutting it and the basil leaves.
- Chop the red onion, watermelon pieces, and almonds.
- Brown the almonds with 1 tablespoon of oil, without letting them burn.
- Separately, mix the rest of the oil with the lemon and a pinch of salt.
- In a large bowl, mix the watermelon with the basil and onion, being careful not to damage the watermelon. Finally, season with the previous mixture and decorate with the golden almonds.
Key takeaways
- The watermelon is the fruit of a plant family of Cucurbitaceae, which includes about 850 species, which produce large fruits and are protected by a hard rind. It is also known as patella, watermelon, or Melania.
- Watermelon is made up mainly of water; It also contains many nutrients such as vitamins A, B6, B12, D, and C; which are very beneficial for health. It also contains minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Finally, it is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, potassium (small amount), and lycopene.
- There are multiple benefits that watermelon offers us to keep the body functioning properly, among them we find that it strengthens cardiovascular health, reduces blood pressure, improves intestinal function, prevents the accumulation of body fat, increases visual health, and contributes to preventing cancer, among others.
- Watermelon is a very versatile and easy-to-consume fruit. We can consume it in salads, on skewers with other fruits, and prepare juices. Also, cut it into pieces and freeze it to later enjoy, in the same way, prepare ice cream; For this, you just have to blend the watermelon and place it in the buckets.
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