Ah the perfect summertime fruit! Not only is it gorgeous, but watermelon boasts amazing health benefits. If you are able to get seeded watermelon where you live, that is going to benefit you even more. Seeded watermelon has more nutrients and tastes better than unseeded, and has not been hybridized a multitude of times!
The health benefits of watermelons are as follows:
-Boosts Immunity: The high supply of Vitamin C found in watermelon has been shown to help improve immune function, shorten duration of sickness and to help the body defend against heart disease and cancer.
-Improves Heart Health: The potassium intake from fruits and vegetables can positively impact blood pressure reduction in adults, which is useful in lowering the risk of stroke and heart disease.
-Relieves Muscle Soreness: Watermelon provides Vitamin C, which has been shown to protect cartilage and bones, to be used in repairing tendons and ligaments, and to help the speed wound healing and scar tissue.
-Prevents Kidney Stones: Watermelon is a natural diuretic, meaning it helps to remove waste through increased urine production. While caffeinated drinks and alcohol also acts as diuretics, they put stress on the kidneys to do so, while watermelon does not.
-Detoxifies The Body: The majority of watermelon is made up of water(about 91 percent). Eating fruits and vegetables high in water content helps the body to detox and rid itself of excess water and fluids, relieving uncomfortable bloating and swelling.
-Can Help Fight Cancer: Watermelon is also a great supplier of antioxidants Vitamin C and Vitamin A, both of which help fight free radical damage and stop DNA from mutating.
-Protects Skin Health: Watermelon's antioxidants Vitamin C & A both play an important part in maintaining the health of skin, especially as one ages.
-Boosts Eye Health: Excellent supplier of beta carotene, the form of Vitamin A found in plants. It plays a role in preventing macular degeneration, the leading cause of age-related blindness.
-Can Help With Weight Loss: Watermelon is very low in calories due to its high water content, yet offers important nutrients. At only 46 calories per cup, watermelon makes a great healthy snack option or addition to a healthy smoothie.
-Relieves Acid Reflux: Watermelon helps to soothe the gastrointestinal tract and helps to regulate PH levels, while also lessening inflammation and acid production throughout the body .
Personally, I like to juice watermelon. I have juiced a seeded watermelon before and just half of one gives me around 72 ounces of juice!
The seeds of a watermelon (if they are black and mature) can also be eaten :) The seeds contain Vitamin B, zinc, potassium and magnesium. To get the most nutrients from the seeds you will need to sprout them. To sprout your watermelon seeds leave them in water for a few days until you see them start to sprout. After the seeds are sprouted you can stick them in the sun, dehydrator or oven to dry them out to eat. Another way to eat the seeds after you're done sprouting them is to spread them out on a baking sheet (you can add olive oil and sea salt if you wish) and roast them in the oven for 15 minutes on 325℉ :)
I bet you want some watermelon now :)
