Watermelon is a versatile, delicious, and easy-to-consume fruit. Comprising 92% water, it is a refreshing fruit fit for consumption during the hot summer months. Its nutritive value and delicious crispy texture make it a favorite of many.
Watermelon is grown on sprawling vines in tropical to temperate regions. It is native to tropical Africa but is now cultivated worldwide.
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It is usually eaten raw and added to salads, smoothies, snacks, and even drinks, but some people also eat the rind along with its seeds by cooking it down with spices.
In this article on EKO HOT BLOG, we would be looking at reasons you should eat water melons more often.
1. Helps in hydration
About 100 g or 1 cup of watermelon provides 91.4 g of water; thus, consuming it is a very effective way to increase your daily water consumption. Moreover, due to its high water density, watermelon is a low-calorie fruit that is useful in maintaining weight.
It is important to note that people suffering from kidney diseases and those who need to keep their water intake under check must consult their doctor before including a high-water-content fruit in their diet.
2. Aids in weight maintenance
watermelon consumption can help regulate and maintain weight
According to one study, weight reduction can be achieved by consuming foods that are classified as low density. They are typically those foods that have a low calorie and high water content.
Watermelon, categorized as a low-density food due to its high water content, can help you easily achieve satiety and fullness. This, in turn, reduces your chance of overeating, consequently helping in overall weight reduction.
3. Controls blood sugar
Watermelon is rich in lycopene, a phenolic compound that imparts the fruit its distinct red color and has been shown to reduce free glucose in the blood. This effect is particularly beneficial for people with diabetes as it will help in blood sugar management.
However, it is important not to eat more than 1–2 servings of the fruit as it has high sugar content.
Watermelon also contains vitamin C, which reduces free radical damage that commonly occurs in diabetics.
4. Prevents cardiovascular diseases
A crossover design study found that watermelon consumption significantly reduced lipid markers (including cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol).
Additionally, citrulline, an amino acid in watermelon, may also reduce the buildup of fatty plaque in blood vessels called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic plaques along the sides of blood vessels can cause narrowing of the arteries, leading to diseases such as stroke and myocardial infarction (heart attack).
5. Reduces the severity of asthma
Studies show that asthma is caused by the presence of free radicals in the body.
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Several review studies found that consuming lycopene-rich foods, such as watermelon, reduced oxidative stress. It also helped reduce symptoms of asthma including airway smooth muscle contraction and mucus hypersecretion.
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