Watermelon nutrition is as tasty to consume as it is healthy for the human body. A relative of the pumpkin, squash and cantaloupe, watermelons grow on vines and tend to be sweet and juicy. There are more than 1200 different varieties of watermelon and individual fruits can vary in weight from just a few pounds to more than ninety pounds per melon. In the past, watermelons were known to be primarily a summer fruit, but currently watermelons can often be found year round in most regions, which means that their nutrition and health benefits can be enjoyed at any time.
Nutritional Benefits
Watermelon nutrition is of benefit for overall health due to the following vitamins and minerals it contains:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Thiamin
- Lycopene (found in especially impressive amounts in pink watermelon)
Health Benefits
Aside from the nutritional benefits cited above, watermelon nutrition also provides powerful health benefits, such as:
- Reducing inflammation associated with asthma, arthritis, colon cancer, diabetes and artherosclerosis
- Reducing the risk of prostate cancer (due to watermelon’s high lycopene content)
- Increases energy
- Provides increased protection against macular degeneration
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Aids in the natural healing of urinary tract infections
- Lowers blood pressure
- Helps in preventing erectile dysfunction
- Preventing or satisfying excessive thirst
- Helps in preventing heat stroke
- Is considered a highly effective diuretic
- Helps protect against sunburn
One of the most active ingredients in watermelon nutrition is citrulline, a non-essential amino acid, which elevates urea in the urine and blood, as well as helps to detoxify the liver of harmful ammonia levels. Citrulline also helps resolve muscle fatigue and assists in maintaining the body’s natural acid base. Currently, it is believed that the citrulline content in watermelon nutrition not only prevents erectile dysfunction, but may also stimulate sexual desire in men.
Although many disdain the bitter taste of the inner white or light green rind, it is as nutrient rich as the fleshy red part of the fruit. Watermelon nutrition is widely useful in natural cures and home remedies, where the rind, as well as the inner meat are equally appreciated.
Precaution
As with all fruits and vegetables, watermelons should be thoroughly washed before slicing.
Although a watermelon can be stored for a week or two at room temperature, once it is cut open it should be refrigerated immediately in order to prevent spoiling and adverse health effects.
Watermelon nutrition is considered safe for regular consumption with no noted side effects in healthy individuals. With such a high vitamin and mineral content, there is no wonder that watermelon has been enjoyed for centuries worldwide. Natural, raw nutrition should always be preferred over synthetic supplements by those who wish to achieve optimal health.
