Watermelon isn't just a summertime picnic snack. Researchers are finding a wealth of nutritional components within this sweet fruit that can result in benefits from preventing heart disease to controlling insulin. Once you realize the power that is packed in this fruit, you'll take time to enjoy it whenever you can.
Lycopene
Most studies with lycopene have been done with tomatoes as the source. Watermelon, however, is full of this powerful antioxidant. Lycopene is what gives watermelon its beautiful pinkish red flesh color, and according to the United States Department of Agriculture, it has been found by researchers to reduce the risk of heart attacks and cancer. High concentrations of lycopene are within the juice, so when you're done with your bowl of watermelon, be sure to drink it.
Citrulline
Citrulline is an amino acid, and within the body it changes over to arginine. A study reported in the Journal of Nutrition for the American Society for Nutritional Sciences states that arginine actually reverses the negative action of the cells (such as developing atherosclerosis) that is brought on by heart disease risk factors such as smoking, obesity, aging and high blood pressure.
Vitamins A and C
Watermelon is also an excellent source of vitamins A (beta-carotene) and C, both antioxidant vitamins. The National Cancer Institute reports that these antioxidants have been found in some studies to prevent cellular damage that can lead to cancer, but that more human studies must be done to confirm this. The institute does, however, recommend eating a diet rich with fruits that contain antioxidants, which would obviously include watermelon.
Added Benefits
If you're watching your weight or your health in general, watermelon makes a great addition to your daily diet. For the weight-conscious, one cup of watermelon contains no fat, cholesterol and only 2mg of sodium. Yet it has a great deal of water content to help you feel full. It also has a very low glycemic load value, which means it won't adversely affect blood sugar levels. When you're longing for a sweet snack that won't put on pounds or raise your blood sugar, reach for watermelon.
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