Surprising Health Benefits of Watermelon

Many people probaly depended on watermelon as a primary water source. After all watermelon is 92% water. The health benefits of watermelon have been know about for a long time. It is not just a recent find.

Watermelons are a favorite among the world and the people just cannot seem to get enough of this fruit. The nutritionists have appreciated the health benefits provided by the watermelons for a long time. The fact that is most important about the watermelon is that it is fat free and low in calories and hence is considered to be the ideal diet food.

While picking out a watermelon, ensure that it is symmetrical with no cuts and bruises. A watermelon that is ripe will have a healthy sheen, a dull rind and a dull yellow spot on its underside on which it touched the ground. To confirm that the melon is completely ripe, thump it and the sound should be dull and hollow while the weight of the watermelon should be heavy considering its size.

• Health Benefits

•energy production
•protects against macular degeneration
•fights heart disease
•loaded with antioxidants
•reduces the risk of cancer
•prevents erectile dysfunction
•good source of vitamins and minerals

Energy Production
Watermelon is concentrated with b-vitamins. B-vitamins are responsible for alot of your body's energy production. This means eating watermelon can give you substantial energy. It also has high amounts of the the energizing nutrients magnesium and potassium. Eating watermelon is a safe alternative to taking energy drinks prior to exercise. It also hydrates you due to its high water content as opposed to caffeine filled energy drinks that dehydrate you.

Antioxidants
Watermelon is a natural source of nature's most powerful antioxidants. It is a good source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A. It is also a good source of the powerful antioxidant beta-carotene. Watermelon's antioxidants can help prevent a number of things. It reduces the risk of colon cancer, asthma, heart disease, osteoperosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostate cancer.
Antioxidannts should be a staple in everyone's diet. They provide health benefits that other nutrients cannot. When it comes to things that are benefiticial to your health antioxidants are at the top of the list. They are better than vitamins, minerals, protein, carbs, and any other nutrient because they have so many benefits. If you do not take some sort of antioxidant whether it be through food or something else you should consider incoporating a food that contains antioxidants or supplement with them. You can buy all sorts of antioxiant drinks. This is one of the biggest health benefits of watermelon.

Macular Degeneration
Eating watermelon can protect against the negative effects of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is just a fancy word for loss of vision. It fights the age-related symptoms of vision loss. Studies show that eating watermelon is actually healthy for your eyes than eating carrots. That is true in both short-term and long-term vision loss.

Cancer Fighting Properties
Supplementing watermelon into your diet can help prevent and fight cancer. It does this because of its rich antioxidant profile. The antioxidants of the watermelon are very concentrated and kill the cancer causing free radicals. They especially help prevent heart and colon cancers. Of all health benefits of watermelon this is probably the most significant one. Any food that fights cancer provides great health benefits.

• Nutrient Profile Per Serving

•Vitamin A: 10%
•Vitamin C: 25%
•Vitamin B6: 10%
•Vitamin B1: 10%
•Magnesium: 7%
•Potassium: 5%

The health benefits of watermelon are largely attributed to its nutrients. Vitamin C is the main nutrient of watermelon and is one of the strongest antioxidants of any kind. Magnesium is one of most important minerals of the human diet. Magnesium diffeciency has negative effects.

• Here are some very interesting facts about the Watermelon:

•Watermelon is actually a vegetable and not a fruit. It is also related to the pumpkin, cucumber and the squash.
•Watermelon consists of 92% water and 8% sugar.
•Every part of the watermelon, including the seeds and the rind is edible.
•Watermelons are ideal for the health as they do not contain any fat or cholesterol and are high in fiber content and are also a good source of potassium.
•The first recorded watermelon harvest was in Egypt and it took place nearly 5000 years ago. This is depicted in the Egyptian hieroglyphics that is found in ancient buildings. As a matter of fact, watermelons were also placed in the tombs of kings to help them nourish in the after life.
•Watermelon is a popular gift for the host In China and Japan.

Add watermelons to salad, salsa or juice it. Watermelon is refreshing and nourishing any day. Try to make it a regular part of your diet as the fruit is available around the year.