Watermelon has endless culinary possibilities. From watermelon chunks to smoothies with a hint of cinnamon, this fruit can be enjoyed in a variety of ways to please every palate.
However, beyond its flavor, watermelon has nutritional properties, as it is a source of lycopene, vitamins A, B, C, and potassium. This fruit belongs to the group of fruits and vegetables that have carotenoids, which are antioxidants with multiple health benefits.
Benefits of watermelon
According to Cristina Rodríguez, a nutritionist, watermelon provides many benefits to most people, including:
- Watermelon is made up of 95 percent water, which makes it an important source of hydration for the body, especially during the hottest times of the year.
- This fruit is a source of antioxidants such as lycopene, one of the most important for our health, as it helps prevent diseases such as various types of cancer, especially prostate cancer. However, it must be taken into account that this is a multifactorial disease, so other measures must also be considered for its prevention.
- Additionally, watermelon has potassium, another key nutrient for disease prevention.
- To enjoy these and other benefits, Rodriguez mentions that an average healthy person can eat half a cup of this fruit daily.
- It is worth noting that other foods that contain properties similar to watermelon are other red fruits and vegetables such as papaya, carrots, chili peppers, and strawberries.
Diseases that can be prevented or treated by eating watermelon
- Muscle aches: According to a study in the Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry, drinking watermelon juice after physical activity can lower an athlete’s heart rate, as well as any muscle pain because watermelon is rich in an amino acid called L-citrulline, which the body converts into L-arginine, a fundamental amino acid that allows the relaxation of blood vessels and improved circulation.
- Hypertension: Watermelon is useful for preventing heart disease and lowering blood pressure levels due to its lycopene and potassium content, according to experts.
- Kidney stones: According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the benefits of eating watermelon is that this fruit prevents the formation of kidney stones since watermelon has a high water and citrate content.
- Various types of cancer: As mentioned above, watermelon is useful in preventing different types of cancer. According to the Association of Integrative Oncology, there are various studies showing that eating watermelon helps prevent lung, stomach, prostate, colon, oral cavity (mouth and throat), and esophageal cancer.
- Stroke: Eating watermelon also helps prevent stroke, as lycopene is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
