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Loading...Watermelon Health Benefits & Tips
- Diana Herrington
- July 18, 2012
- 8:09 am
- 85 comments
Everyone loves a big piece of thirst-quenching watermelon on a hot day; it is so refreshing. I love watermelon and can easily eat a quarter of one in one sitting!
“When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what angels eat.” –Mark Twain
Did you know that is it also nutrition packed too? Yes, watermelon is 92 percent water, but that other 8 percent is filled with good nutrition and amazing health benefits; so many benefits that we consider it a powerfood and give weekend web Watermelon BootCamps with it.
Health Benefits of Watermelon:
1. Watermelon is extremely alkaline-forming in the body. There are a host of benefits to this.
2. Watermelon is the lycopene leader among fresh fruits and vegetables. Deep red varieties of watermelon have replaced the tomato as the lycopene king. The red pigment — also found in apricots, pink grapefruit, and papaya — is an important antioxidant. It has been found to be helpful in reducing the risk of prostate, breast, and endometrial cancers, as well as lung and colon cancer. Lycopene’s ability to neutralize singlet oxygen radicals was better then the antioxidant abilities of beta-carotene and vitamin E. (Source: Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics in 1989)
3. Watermelon may have Viagra-like effect. It contains citrulline, which can trigger production of a compound in the body that helps relax the body’s blood vessels, in a way similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra, according to a Texas A&M study.
4. Watermelon is a diuretic and was a homeopathic treatment for kidney patients before dialysis became widespread.
5. Watermelon is a very good source of potassium; it helps muscle and nerve function. It can ease inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.
6. Watermelon is a certified heart healthy food by the American Heart Association.
I am so happy to know all the benefits to this favorite summer fruit of mine. Watermelon is often all I have for breakfast and it always amazes me that I feel full for hours afterwards.
It is also true that watermelon is high in sugar, with 10 grams per cup. But think about it, what is a better choice: a candy bar or a nutritious piece of watermelon?
Read more: Diet & Nutrition, Eating for Health, Food, Health, watermelon
Diana Herrington
Diana Herrington turned a debilitating health crisis into a passion for helping others with healthy, sugar-free, gluten-free, eating and cooking. After testing and researching every possible healthy therapy on her delicate system she has developed simple, powerful principles which she shares in her recent book Eating Green and Lean, and as host to Care2 groups: Healthy Living Network and Healthy Cooking. She is the head chef at Real Food for Life, where she shares recipes and tips. Sign up for the Real Food for Life weekly newsletter or catch her on Facebook or Twitter (@DancinginLife).
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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people are talking
This is a great concept, I am just not sure how I could incorporate it into my day. I work from hom…
good article-- I expect nothing but am very Grateful for what I do receive. I believe I have abunda…
Wish there was more, this is what already do.
Interesting. Thanx for sharing.
interesting
85 comments
+ add your ownGreat to know - I love watermelon!
love watermelon. :)
Let's enjoy what the nature has given us
Love watermelon, thanks!
i love them but they make me pee all night!
Can you please tell me more about what you mean by: "they (watermelons) do not combine with any other food"? One of my favorite combinations is watermelon, grapefruit, mint and ginger. But if watermelon "doesn't combine" then what is my combination actually doing? Thanks.
Would be nice if we could do a survey about watermelon With seeds, and get this information
to the growers. Have not been able to find a seeded watermelon this summer.
Watermelon is so refreshing, love to make smoothies out of these if not eating them. So very tasty and delightful.
I don't like watermelon to eat, but juiced it's delicious, especially if you add mint and/or ginger to the juice. the diuretic effect also extends to heart patients that have fluid around the heart.
Not my favorite fruit but I'll have it every now and then, why not? ;)
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