Watermelon is a good source of antioxidants and nutrients. In addition to supporting hydration, it may also promote many aspects of health, including heart health, and prevent certain health conditions.
Watermelon is centuries old fruit that is juicy and sweet, and many view it as a perfect treat to quench your thirst during summer heat. With a bright red flesh and little seeds embedded throughout, watermelon is packedTrusted Source with a plethora of nutrients and antioxidants that include vitamins A and C. Here are some of the top health benefits of watermelon.
(Helps you stay hydrated) Staying hydrated is important for your body to function properly.
Body temperature regulation, normal organ function, nutrient delivery to cells, and alertness are only some of the bodily processes that rely onTrusted Source adequate hydration.
Eating foods with a high water content may help give your body the water it needs to function properly. Since watermelon is mostly waterTrusted Source, it can serve as a good choice for daily water intake.
That water content also means this melon has a low calorie density — in other words, very few calories for its total weight. Eating foods with low calorie densities like watermelon may helpTrusted Source with weight management by keeping you feeling full for longer.
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Fresh Food Fast The Top Health Benefits of Watermelon Watermelon is a good source of antioxidants and nutrients. In addition to supporting hydration, it may also promote many aspects of health, including heart health, and prevent certain health conditions.
Medically reviewed by Kim Chin, RD, Nutrition — Written by Kerri-Ann Jennings, MS, RD and Fatima Hallal, APD — Updated on January 25, 2024 Hydration Nutrients and more Cancer protection Your heart Inflammation Benefits for bones and joints Eyes Muscles Skin Digestion FAQs Takeaway Welcome to Fresh Food Fast, your source for creative, accessible recipes and nutrition tips to make eating healthier just a little bit easier — and more fun! Irina Shpiller/Getty Images Watermelon is centuries old fruit that is juicy and sweet, and many view it as a perfect treat to quench your thirst during summer heat.
With a bright red flesh and little seeds embedded throughout, watermelon is packedTrusted Source with a plethora of nutrients and antioxidants that include vitamins A and C.
Here are some of the top health benefits of watermelon.
Helps you stay hydrated Staying hydrated is important for your body to function properly.
Body temperature regulation, normal organ function, nutrient delivery to cells, and alertness are only some of the bodily processes that rely onTrusted Source adequate hydration.
Eating foods with a high water content may help give your body the water it needs to function properly. Since watermelon is mostly waterTrusted Source, it can serve as a good choice for daily water intake.
That water content also means this melon has a low calorie density — in other words, very few calories for its total weight. Eating foods with low calorie densities like watermelon may helpTrusted Source with weight management by keeping you feeling full for longer.
{Packed with nutrients and beneficial plant compounds:
Watermelon containsTrusted Source a variety of nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. It’s also relatively low in calories.
Here are the nutrients in 1 cup (152 grams) of raw, diced watermelon:
1.Calories: 46 2.Carbs: 11.5 grams 3.Fiber: 0.6 grams 4.Sugar: 9.4 grams 5.Protein: 0.9 grams 6.Fat: 0.2 grams 7.Vitamin A: 5% of the Daily Value (DV) 8.Vitamin C: 14% of the DV 9.Potassium: 4% of the DV 10.Magnesium: 4% of the DV
Watermelon is also a rich source of citrulline, an amino acid that may improveTrusted Source exercise performance.
Plus, it boasts antioxidants, including vitamin C, carotenoids, lycopene, and cucurbitacin E, all of which are beneficialTrusted Source for your health in watermelon as well as other food sources.
These compounds help combatTrusted Source free radicals, which are unstable molecules that may damage your cells if they accumulate in your body. Over time, this damage may lead to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
(May have anti-cancer):-
May have anti-cancer effects Several plant compounds found in watermelon, including lycopene and cucurbitacin E, may have possible anticancer effects.
While study results are mixed, lycopene intake may be associated with a lower risk of some types of cancer, such as prostateTrusted Source and colorectalTrusted Source cancers.
Lycopene is believed to work by loweringTrusted Source blood levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF), a hormone that promotes cell division. Notably, cancer forms when cell division becomes uncontrollable.
Additionally, cucurbitacin E may inhibitTrusted Source tumor growth by promoting your body’s process of destroying and removing cancer cells.
The Top Health Benefits Of Watermelon