"As the name implies, watermelon can keep you hydrated,” Derocha explains. Watermelon is composed of more than 90% water. Specifically, increasing your lycopene intake may reduce your risk for cancers of the digestive tract and prostate cancer. Lycopene may also reduce inflammation, and that's good news since chronic inflammation is a known driver of disease risk. Lycopene works to protect your cells from damage, Sollid says, and research suggests that it may have blood pressure-lowering effects. The substance is what gives watermelon its red color, but Meyer-Jax says it has been shown to decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease, too. Lycopene is a natural compound found in watermelon and other fruits and vegetables that has antioxidant properties. 2) It offers a big hit of disease-fighting power Watermelon is also rich in potassium, which works to lower blood pressure and supports nerve functioning, and vitamin B6, which helps the body break down the proteins that you eat and also boosts the immune system and nerve function. Vitamin C strengthens your immune system and helps the body absorb iron, Derocha says, while vitamin A is crucial for skin and eye health. It contains about 15% of your daily vitamin C, along with a wealth of other vitamins and minerals your body needs to optimal functioning, such as potassium and vitamins A and B6, Sollid says. Watermelon packs a punch when it comes to essential nutrients. Here are some other benefits: 1) It can help you reach an array of daily nutrient needs It's also a good way to pad your water intake, something that's important all the time but even more so during the hot, humid days of summer. “Watermelon contributes key antioxidant nutrients that support disease prevention and overall wellness,” says Christina Meyer-Jax, RDN, LDN, Standard Process nutrition chair and assistant professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University. What are the health benefits of watermelon? Department of Agriculture, 1 cup of watermelon (152 g) contains: Watermelon nutrition factsĪccording to the U.S. Here’s an overview of some of the best health benefits of watermelon, according to nutritionists. Not to mention, it’s fun to eat! “Eating watermelon makes me feel carefree, like a kid again at a summer picnic enjoying the outdoors with the people I care most about,” says Kris Sollid, MS, RD, senior director of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council. "During the summer months, you're more likely to find melons grown in the U.S.,which means it has less travel time and is fresher once it arrives in stores or at the farmers market, plus it's often less expensive and tastes even better," Blatner adds. Watermelon is technically available year-round, but don't miss out on its summery moment in the sun because that's when it's at its peak. And if you can't wait to slice into this summertime staple, pat yourself on the back for partaking in a super nutritious seasonal tradition - new research says that watermelon eaters tend to have a higher quality diet featuring more fiber, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A and other antioxidants, plus lower in added sugars and saturated fat than watermelon non-connoisseurs, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN. It’s a staple of backyard barbecues and well-stocked at your local farmers' markets this time of year. Nothing tastes like summer more than a crisp, juicy, refreshing bite of watermelon. Is it okay to eat watermelon every day?.What are the health benefits of watermelon?.
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