You can quench your thirst by eating a slice of watermelon in the summer season.
Does watermelon have health benefits too other than keeping you hydrated?
We have dedicated this article to benefits of watermelon and other important factor related to it.
Facts of Watermelon:
Watermelon was first cultivated in Egypt around 5000 years ago. Because of its unique and powerful quality, many other parts of the world also started harvesting.
China holds the first position in the world in the production of watermelon, While Mexico 10th
Watermelon is a member of Cucurbitaceae. Let me remind you that cucumber, pumpkin, squash, and gourds also a member of Cucurbitaceae.
Do you know why watermelon is red inside?
Because of Lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant.
Lycopene, ascorbic acid, citrulline, and Vitamin C makes Watermelon a strong anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effect anti-inflammatory fruit.
Watermelon is called, Tarbooz in Hindi, Tarbuj in Manipur, Kadu in Marathi, Eriputccha in Telugu, Kaliangadi balli in Kannada, Tormuj in Bengali, Tarbooj in Urdu and Indrak in Gujrati.
Watermelon Nutrition (Nutrition Facts of Watermelon)
Serving size: 2 cups diced (10 oz / 280 g)
[table id=14 /]
It is enriched with Citrulline, carotenoids, and Flavonoids also
*Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Health Benefits of Watermelon:
- Help prevent cancer
There are many factors which cause cancer. Free radical is one of the possible cause of cancer. As you know, watermelon contains lycopene and vitamin c both work well as antioxidants. Lycopene may lower the risk of prostate cancer according to cancer.gov.
A recent study indicates that a higher concentration of insulin-growth-factor may cause prostate cancer. But, Lycopene may reduce insulin-growth-factor(IGF).
- Muscle soreness
L-citrulline is an α-amino acid. It helps to relieve muscles soreness.
You can take watermelon juice or watermelon prior to any physical workout. It increases physical performance too.
- Reduces kidney disorders
A toxin is accumulated by taking medicine or other junk foods in your body over time. Which need to be flushed out to keep your body healthy. Watermelon contains Potassium and Calcium that work well in flushing out the accumulated toxin from your body. Calcium has other important roles to play in your body too.
- Improves digestion
Fiber and water are boons for constipated people. Interestingly watermelon contains both. You can term it, watermelon is natural remedies of constipation.
- Hydrates your body
Everybody knows how important is water. Water keeps your body hydrated. Watermelon has 92% of water and very low in calories. You can eat watermelon as much as you can at the place of water.
- Work as antioxidants
Watermelon contains Vitamin C and Lycopene that work as anti-oxidant in your body. Anti-oxidants are compounds that prevent or slow down damage to the cell caused by free radicals. Doctors always advise taking food packed with anti-oxidants.
- Protection Against Diabetes
Watermelon has L-Citrulline. L-Citrulline is a kind of amino acid. Your body converts it into L-arginine. Recent research confirmed, L-arginine may regulate glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
- Heart Healthy Summertime Treat
The study tells, Lycopene reduces the cholesterol levels in your body and maintain a healthy heart.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Watermelon contains choline that lower chronic inflammation.
As per the “jazabkowski” Lycopene also, is a substance(amino acid) that reduces or suppresses the various inflammatory process.
- Skin and hair benefits (Watermelon benefits for skin)
Watermelon contains Vitamin A that is boon for your health and skin. It nourishes your skin and hair. Vitamin A keeps your hair and skin moisturized.
Varieties of Watermelon :
There are over 50 different varieties of watermelon available in the world. Each variety has many types of watermelon.
You may categorize watermelon in four types Which are following
- Seedless Watermelon
Seedless watermelon seeds are generally not completely matured. It comes in 10-20 pounds
- Queen of Hearts
- King of Hearts
- Jack of Hearts
- Millionaire
- Crimson
- Trio
- Nova
- Picnic watermelon
Picnic watermelon usually comes in 16-45 pounds. It is the largest and fit for a group of family.
- Charleston Gray
- Black Diamond
- Jubilee
- Allsweet
- Crimson Sweet
- Icebox Watermelon Types
It is usually smaller in size. One can easily eat. The melon weighs from 5-15 pounds.
- Sugar Baby
- the Tiger Baby
- Yellow/Orange Watermelons
- Desert King
- Tendergold
- Yellow Baby
- Yellow Doll
- Chiffon
- Honeyheart
Side Effects of Watermelon:
Excess everything is wrong!
A higher amount of watermelon may cause some complication. As it contains substances which need to be consumed not more than recommended dosages.
Lycopene should be consumed not more than 30 mg/ per day. Otherwise, it may cause nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, and bloating.
A person diagnosed with serious hyperkalemia should not eat potassium much. Otherwise, it may cause some fatal complicated like Cardiac Arrest, Kidney Failure, Weakness according to mediaplus.gov
Nutrition Facts of Watermelon Seeds
Watermelon Seeds Dried 100 gm nutrition value are the following:
[table id=13 /]