If there’s one fruit that screams summer it’s watermelon.
There’s nothing like biting into a juicy watermelon on a hot summer day. But watermelons are more than just a sweet summer treat. Watermelon is full of nutrients that your body needs all year round!
True to their name, watermelons are rich in water and hydrating electrolytes. They also contain the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to heart health. They even have some protein and a noteworthy amino acid that might reduce muscle soreness.
Watermelon nutrition facts
One cup of watermelon has:
- 46 calories
- 1 gram protein
- 0 grams fat
- 12 grams carbohydrates
- 1 gram fiber
- 12 milligrams Vitamin C (13% daily value (DV))
Watermelon health benefits
One of the most beneficial properties of watermelon is not listed on most food labels — it has more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable. Lycopene is an anti-inflammatory antioxidant that has been studied for its role in lowering blood pressure, preventing certain types of cancer and contributing to glowing skin.
A meta-analyses of current research found that supplementing your diet with 12 milligrams of lycopene per day may reduce systolic blood pressure. While there’s no recommended daily value for lycopene — that’s why it’s not on food labels — a 2-cup serving of watermelon has 12.7 milligrams of lycopene, the amount found to be ideal. Moreover, a randomized controlled trial of 40 participants with prehypertension and hypertension showed that taking a watermelon substitute extract for six weeks reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Due to its ability to fight inflammation, a marker of cancer, lycopene has also been examined for its role in reducing cancer risk. The research in this field is limited, but observational studies have found a link between higher lycopene circulating in the blood and lower incidences of prostate cancer.
Another observational study of over 80,000 women found an inverse association between lycopene intake and breast…
Read the full article here
