Summer Fruit: The Juicy Health Benefits of Eating Watermelon

SUMMER FRUIT: THE JUICY HEALTH BENEFITS OF EATING WATERMELON

Watermelon, a fruit native to Southern Africa, is today cultivated in almost all the countries with a tropical or temperate climate. No other fruit says summer like the crunchy, thirst quenching watermelon. It has a very thick and hard rind, with a fleshy center. There are five different varieties of watermelons, including Yellow Watermelon, Orangeglo, Moon and Stars, Cream of Saskatchewan and Melitopolski, differing in their colors as well as sizes.

Varieties commonly grown in the Philippines are Valencia, Meak, Klondyke, Northern Hybrid, Tender Sweet, Honey Dew and Mallorca. Watermelon, commonly known as “pakwan” in Tagalog, is mainly eaten as dessert fruit. The rind is made into preserves and pickles; the seeds are processed into “butong pakwan”, healthy and delicious snacks.

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Watermelons have a very high water content, which makes them extremely refreshing, especially during summers. At the same time, they are low in calories and have almost no fats, making them one of the healthiest fruits. Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day; this delectable thirst-quencher may also help quench the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.

Nutritional Value of Watermelon

Amount of nutrients present in 100 gm of watermelon:

? Calcium - 7 mg

? Carbohydrate - 7.55 gm

? Fats - 0.15 gm

? Fluoride - 1.5 mcg

? Iron - 0.24 mg

? Magnesium - 10 mg

? Phosphorus - 11 mg

? Potassium - 112 mg

? Protein - 0.61 gm

? Sodium - 1 mg

? Sugars - 6.20 gm

? Total Dietary Fiber - 0.4 gm

? Total Folate - 3 mcg

? Vitamin A - 569 IU

? Vitamin C - 8.1 mg

? Water - 91.45 gm

? Energy - 30 kcal

? Carotenoids (Lycopene, Phytofluene, Phytoene, Beta-Carotene, Lutein and Neurosporene)

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Health Benefits of Eating Watermelons

? Sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature. It is an excellent source of Vitamin C and a very good source of Vitamin A, notably through its concentration of beta-carotene.

? Watermelons, being rich in potassium, help keep salt from raising blood pressure and might diminish the risk of kidney stones also.

? It is said that watermelons strengthen the immune system and help the body in fighting off infection.

? Watermelon is a very concentrated source of the carotenoids, which have been credited with cancer-preventing properties.

? Pink watermelon is also a source of the potent carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene. These powerful antioxidants travel through the body neutralizing free radicals, and thus, diminish the risk of colon cancer. The antioxidants in watermelons help reduce the risk of heart attack in individuals

? Consumption of water melons has been found to result in alleviation of some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

? Watermelon is very low in calories, making it the perfect snack for those who are trying to lose weight.

? Watermelons have been associated with reducing the airway spasm that occurs in asthma.

? Watermelon is rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production.

? The beta carotene present in water melon helps keeps your vision sharp, especially at night.

? Watermelons have been linked with easing inflammation and preventing the occurrence of diabetes.

Note: The peak season of watermelon is summertime here in the Philippines, but it comes back in December and January.

Reference:

http://health.learninginfo.org/nutrition-facts/watermelon.htm

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-water-melon

Images from Google Image