1. Watermelon is full of antioxidants
That is, substances that save the body from the so-called oxidative stress (which scientists call one of the culprits of aging). First of all, this is vitamin C: one piece of medium-sized watermelon gives us 25% of the daily value of this vitamin. Plus, vitamin C is needed to protect against infections and keep your teeth healthy.
2. Watermelon helps the body deal with stress
And not only because its sweet taste and juiciness affect the production of pleasure hormones. There is a lot of beta-carotene in watermelon, which is vital for those who suffer from high psycho-emotional and physical stress, are on a diet or whose body defenses are already weakened due to age. Watermelon is also recommended for elderly people because it helps prevent Parkinson’s disease due to its high content of phenylalanine, an amino acid, the lack of which causes this chronic disease.
3. Watermelon Reduces Cancer Risk
Due to its high content of lycopene: this substance saves us from breast and prostate, intestinal, stomach and lung cancers. Of course, lycopene is not a rare guest in red vegetables and fruits. However, there is more lycopene in watermelon than in tomato, by as much as 60%, and the tomato is considered one of the main natural “lycopene” leaders. In addition, lycopene is necessary for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and it also enhances the effect of beta-carotene: in general, from this point of view, a watermelon is not like a berry, but a whole pharmacy cabinet.
4. There is a lot of fiber in watermelon
Of course, in a dry language, there are not so many numbers of it – only 0,4 g per 100 g. However, try to find a person who is limited to only one hundred grams of watermelon a day! Therefore, if we translate this mathematics into a practical field, it turns out that, on average, we eat such an amount of watermelon per day, which becomes an excellent tool for meeting the need for fiber. And it is needed for good bowel function, cancer prevention and healthy skin.
5. Watermelon removes toxins from the body
Watermelon has a well-pronounced diuretic effect and removes excess fluid from the body. And together with them, it also flushes out toxins – decay products of substances that naturally appear in the body in a non-stop mode. Fiber also contributes to the fight against toxins in the intestinal tract.
6. Watermelon protects the cardiovascular system and strengthens the immune system
It possesses these properties due to its high content of citrulline, an essential amino acid that plays an important role in the functioning of the cardiovascular system and immunity. 1 small slice of watermelon on a daily basis – and you don’t have to worry about a lack of citrulline. The only pity is that the season of watermelons has its end!
7. Watermelon helps control weight
For this reason, it is widely used in weight loss programs and a watermelon diet has been created on its basis. Watermelon saturates well thanks to sugars, but its calorie content is so low (27 kcal per 100 g) that it is not at all difficult to lose 3 – 6 kilograms per week on a watermelon mono-diet. However, most of the weight loss will occur due to the excretion of excess fluid. But the task of reducing volumes and this method solves well!