Amazing health benefits of watermelon!

Watermelon is by far, one of the most
powerful, body-healing fruits out there! The
amazing health benefits of watermelon cover
everything from your brain all the way to the
cells in your feet.
The best time to indulge in this fresh,
succulent, juicy melon, is summertime, when
they are in season and deliver an array of
nutrients, vitamin and minerals.
Watermelon is incredibly hydrating (up to 92%
water!) and is naturally low-fat. Make this
melon a part of your daily diet and you will
reap amazing benefits that range from
improving cardiovascular health to nourishing
your eyes and revving up your immune
system! Read below and see for yourself!


**Cardiovascular & Bone Health

The lycopene in watermelon is especially
important for our cardiovascular health and is
now being recognized as an important factor
in promoting bone health. Consuming large
amounts of watermelon has also been
correlated with improved cardiovascular
function because it improves blood flow via
vasodilation (relaxation of blood pressure).
Dietary lycopene (from foods like watermelon
or tomatoes) reduces oxidative stress which
normally reduces the activity of osteoblasts
and osteoclasts (the two major bone cells
involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis)
– this means stronger bones for those
consuming lycopene-rich foods. Watermelon
is also rich in potassium which helps to retain
calcium in your body, resulting in stronger
bones and joints.


**Reduces Body Fat

The citrulline in watermelon has been shown
to reduce the accumulation of fat in our fat
cells . Citrulline is an amino acid which
converts into arginine with help from the
kidneys. When our bodies absorb citrulline it
can take the step of converting into arginine if
so required. Citrulline, when consumed, has
the ability to (through a series of steps) block
the activity of TNAP (tissue-nonspecific
alkaline phosphatase) which makes our fat
cells create less fat, and thus helps prevent
over-accumulation of body fat.


**Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant Support


Watermelon is rich in phenolic compounds like
flavonoids, carotenoids, and triterpenoids. The
carotenoid lycopene in watermelon is
particularly beneficial in reducing inflammation
and neutralizing free radicals. The
tripterpenoid cucurbitacin E is also present in
watermelon, which provides anti-inflammatory
support by blocking activity of cyclo-
oxygenase enzymes which normally lead to
increased inflammatory support. Make sure
you pick ripe watermelons, because they
contain higher amounts of these beneficial
phenolic compounds.


**Diuretic & Kidney Support


Watermelon is a natural diuretic which helps
increase the flow of urine, but does not strain
the kidneys (unlike alcohol and caffeine).
Watermelons helps the liver process ammonia
(waste from protein digestion) which eases
strain on the kidneys while getting rid of
excess fluids.


**Muscle & Nerve Support


Rich in potassium, watermelon is a great
natural electrolyte and thus helps regulate the
action of nerves and muscles in our body.
Potassium determines the degree and
frequency with which our muscles contract,
and controls the excitation of nerves in our
body.


**Alkaline-forming


Watermelons have an alkaline-forming effect in
the body when fully ripe. Eating lots of
alkaline-forming foods (fresh, ripe, fruit and
vegetables) can help reduce your risk of
developing disease and illness caused by a
high-acid diet (namely, meat, eggs and dairy).


**Improves Eye Health


Watermelon is a wonderful source of beta-
carotene (that rich red hue of watermelon =
beta carotene) which is converted in the body
to vitamin A. It helps produce the pigments in
the retina of the eye and protects against age-
related macular degeneration as well as
prevents night blindness. Vitamin A also
maintains healthy skin, teeth, skeletal and soft
tissue, and mucus membranes.
Immune Support, Wound Healing & Prevents
Cell Damage
The vitamin C content in watermelon is
astoundingly high. Vitamin C is great at
improving our immune system by maintaining
the redox integrity of cells and thereby
protecting them from reactive oxygen species
(which damages our cells and DNA). The role
of vitamin C in healing wounds has also been
observed in numerous studies because it is
essential to the formation of new connective
tissue. The enzymes involved in forming
collagen (the main component of wound
healing) cannot function without vitamin C. If
you are suffering from any slow-healing
wounds, up your intake of vitamin C heavy
fruit!