There are so many health, skin and hair benefits of this most delicious and highly nutritious food in the world –watermelon. Watermelon’s scientific name is Citrullus lanatus, it belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is related to plants like squash and pumpkin that grow as vines. It is a very large, smooth and oval to round-shaped fruit. The outer body of the fruit has solid green or till green skin with yellow stripes. The edible skin is pink to red in colour with lots of flat, oval black seeds.
Health and nutritional benefits of watermelom:
A perfect substitute for water
Watermelon contains 6% sugar and 92% water, which is why it is ideal for preventing dehydration. It is a better and healthier substitute to water than soft drinks which have high sugar content. With hardly any calories, a good portion of it will hydrate your body and re-boost it with antioxidant. Besides, it hydrates the skin, making it more radiant. If you have dry skin, you can apply watermelon with honey to keep it properly moisturized and hydrated. This fruit must also be included in your diet for a supple skin.
Energy Booster
Daily consumption of watermelon can boost energy by up to 23%. This is due to vitamin B6 which is used by the body to synthesize feel-good dopamine and magnesium which assist in the formation of adenosine triphosphate – a nucleotide that fuels cellular function for all-day energy.
Removes excess oil from the skin
Watermelon is a very rich source of Vitamin which is vital to the health and vitality of our skin. It reduces the size of the skin pores and minimizes the oil secreted by the sebaceous glands. For the best results, massage your skin with a fresh watermelon slice or blend it with honey. For oily skin, you can add hazelnut powder to watermelon juice extract and apply it on your face and neck to keep it well-hydrated.
Anti-aging
Watermelon contains Vitamin A and C and a rich source of antioxidants like lycopene. These are known to prevent cancer and also help in reducing the visible signs of aging. Now we know, a bowl of watermelons is the way to say bye- bye to free radicals in the body responsible for causing signs of ageing such wrinkles, fine lines and age spots.
Anti-cancer properties
Despite being a fruit, watermelon contains twice the amount of lycopene found in vegetables like tomatoes. These compounds play an important role in protecting the cells from free radical damage, thus preventing breast, prostate, uterine, and lung cancers, among others.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Watermelon is rich in phenolic compounds such as flavonoids, carotenoids and triterpenoids. The carotenoid lycopene is particularly effective in reducing inflammation. Athletes are often recommended to drink watermelon juice before a hard workout as it reduces their heart rate and next-day muscle-soreness.
Controls blood pressure
The potassium and manganese contained in watermelon work to regulate blood pressure. The antioxidants help to maintain the health of blood vessels to protect against sclerosis. This results in easing the movement of the passage of blood vessels, thereby reducing high blood pressure.
Cardiovascular health
A diet low in fat and cholesterol and rich in antioxidants is conducive to a healthy heart. Red watermelon is a rich source of antioxidants called lycopene which spreads throughout the body, thus neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are harmful as they oxidize cholesterol, enabling it to stick to blood vessel walls and thicken them, leading to heart attack and stroke.
Improves sleep
According to research, watermelon can improve sleep as it contains polysaccharide carbohydrates that can increase the body’s output of serotonin. Increased levels of serotonin at night make your brain less sensitive to disruptive stimuli such as noise during sleep. Consumption of few slices of this wonder fruit before dinner can extend the stages of deep sleep by nearly 27%.
Reduces fat
The citrulline found in watermelon can reduce the accumulation of fat in the fat cells. This amino acid gets converted into arginine when absorbed by the body. On being consumed, citrulline can block the activity of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), thus causing less fat creation by the cells and preventing over-accumulation of body fat.
Alkaline effects
Consumption of fully-ripe watermelon has an alkaline effect on your body. Alkaline forming foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables greatly reduce the risk of developing disease and illness caused by high acid diet comprising of meat, eggs and dairy.
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