Watermelon has many health benefits. It is a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, magnesium and other minerals. Watermelon also contains lycopene, a carotenoid phytochemical that may help protect against cancer.
Watermelon is one of the freshest fruits you can find in the summertime, making it easy to incorporate into a healthy diet.
Here are some of the top watermelon health benefits:
- Helps Prevent Kidney Stones
Watermelon contains citrulline, an amino acid that helps the body produce more nitric oxide (NO). NO improves blood circulation by relaxing blood vessels and increasing oxygen flow to your organs. It also helps eliminate waste products from your body’s cells, which can prevent kidney stones from forming.
- Contains Antioxidants
Watermelon contains antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta carotene that help prevent free radical damage to cells in your body. Free radicals cause oxidative stress on our bodies, which can lead to accelerated aging and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and cancer if left unchecked by antioxidants like those found in watermelon.
- Helps Weight Loss
Watermelon contains 92% water that helps flush out toxins from your body. It also contains antioxidants that can aid in weight loss by reducing inflammation, fighting off free radicals and boosting metabolism.
- Helps digest food
Watermelon contains an enzyme called citrulline that helps break down proteins in the body. This process helps promote the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow throughout the body.
- Improves vision
Lutein is a carotenoid found in water clover or spinach that works with zeaxanthin to protect eye health as we age. The compound has been shown to reduce the risk of cataracts in people who already have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It may also help prevent night blindness, a condition that affects children more than adults.
