Top 5 Health Benefits of Watermelon

Is there anything better than a refreshing slice of watermelon on a hot summer’s day? Probably not! The great thing is, you can feel good about indulging in a watermelon slice (or two or three) because it actually does your body good. This tasty treat is both a fruit and a vegetable, so it’s no surprise it provides incredible health benefits. There are many amazing reasons to opt for it during the summertime and we’re sharing some of the top five health benefits of watermelon… 

1. Watermelon hydrates your body.

When the weather is hot, it becomes even more important to keep your body hydrated. While nothing compares to a glass of water, eating foods that contain a high water content can be a huge help. This is where the watermelon comes in! According to the USDA, a watermelon is approximately 91.5% water, which is why it feels so refreshing to snack on during a hot day.

Not only will it help you stay hydrated, but it can also help you feel full due without consuming a bunch of extra calories. And that’s all due to the fiber contained in watermelon. So, the next time you hit the farmer’s market, make sure you grab a watermelon!

2. It’s good for your skin and hair.

You want to make sure your skin and hair is looking its best, right? Well, a little watermelon can help! Watermelon is actually packed with two of the vitamins your skin and hair need to remain healthy. Which vitamins are they? Vitamins A and C.

Vitamin A is great for your skin because it can help create and repair your skin cells. A lack of vitamin A can have a variety of effects on your skin, including dryness and rough patches. When your body receives the amount of vitamin A it craves, it can also be effective in preventing forms of acne. That’s a pretty good reason to eat that extra slice of watermelon, isn’t it?

We need our bodies to produce a protein called collagen. Fortunately, vitamin C helps aid in the production of collagen. This will help improve your overall skin health by ensuring your skin looks soft and smooth. It can also help prevent the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamin C is even essential for promoting strong, healthy hair.

3. It’s packed with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Another great benefit of eating watermelon is that it’s loaded with things that are amazing for your body. It contains flavonoids, carotenoids, and triterpenoids. Lycopene is one type of carotenoid that you’ve probably heard a lot about because it’s one of the reasons tomatoes are so great for you. Well, one cup of watermelon actually contains even more lycopene than a large tomato does. When it’s in your body, lycopene doesn’t change into vitamin A, but it still provides benefits by reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals our bodies encounter.

Cucurbitacin E is a triterpenoid that’s also found in watermelon. It can help prevent inflammation and provides antioxidant benefits. Watermelon just provides so many health benefits that it needs to be a summer staple!

4. It improves eye health.

Unfortunately, our eye health can decline as we age. It’s especially important that we don’t neglect our eyes when taking care of the rest of our bodies. Watermelon is a great source of beta carotene, which our bodies change into vitamin A. It then helps protect our eyes against eye-related macular degeneration and night blindness. It’s absolutely essential that you make sure you’re getting plenty of beta carotene in your diet if you want to support eye health.

5. It can help relieve muscle soreness.

Watermelon also contains an amino acid called citrulline. Citrulline has been found to improve the function of our arteries and also help lower blood pressure, which aids in relaxing the blood vessels. Many athletes have found drinking watermelon juice after a workout helped to relieve muscle soreness, which is due to the effects of citrulline. The next time you have a hard workout, you just might want to give it a try!