Eat Me: Eight incredible benefits of watermelon

Watermelon, which is about 92 percent water, is one of the most refreshing fruits in the world.

Each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants, and amino acids.

It has a modest amount of potassium, very low in sodium and has only 40 calories per cup.

Here are ways in which watermelon can be beneficial to your health.

Kidney disorders

Watermelon contains a lot of potassium, which is helpful in cleaning or washing out the toxic depositions in the kidney.

It aids in reducing the concentration of uric acid in the blood, thereby limiting the risk of kidney damage and formation of renal calculi in that organ.

Prevents heat stroke

The presence of potassium and magnesium in watermelon helps to bring down blood pressure.

Potassium is considered a vasodilator, meaning that it releases the tension of blood vessels and arteries, thereby stimulating increased blood flow and reducing stress on the cardiovascular system.

Helps prevent cancer

Watermelon has an impressive level of lycopene, a carotenoid phytonutrient compound that is increasingly being linked to cancer prevention.

Diabetes

Diabetic patients, who are supposed to be on low energy and low sugar diet, often complain about starving since they don’t get to eat their staple diets, which gives them the feeling of being half fed.

Watermelons can be a good supplement for them. In spite of being sweet in taste, a thick wedge will give you very few calories, since 90 percent of its total weight is composed of water and roughage.

Heart care

Heart-related diseases have been pinned as a major cause of global deaths. Several nutrients contained in watermelon like lycopene help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Watermelon also contains beta-carotene, known for its remarkable antioxidant and anti-ageing properties. It also keeps you young at heart and prevents age-related cardiac problems.

Macular degeneration

Don’t worry about eye health and macular degeneration if you eat plenty of watermelon, because, between the beta-carotene, vitamin-C, lutein, and zeaxanthin, your eyes are well protected.

These antioxidants will ensure the protection of your eyes from age-related blindness and degeneration, such as drying up of eyes and optical nerves, as well as glaucoma.

Sexual stimulus

Arginine, present in watermelon, helps in curing erectile dysfunction.

The stimulating nature of the chemical can boost libido, reduce frigidity and give a kick-start to your love life after you enjoy a few slices of watermelon together.

Great for hair and skin

The two major vitamins in watermelon, A and C, are important to the hair and skin.

Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen: a protein that keeps your skin supple and hair strong while vitamin A helps create and repair skin cells. The skin can look dry and flaky when you are not getting enough vitamin A.