We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Some Health Benefits of Watermelon?

Margo Upson
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,178
Share

Watermelon is an incredibly beneficial food that doesn't get a lot of publicity. This underrated healthy fruit is a great source of several vitamins and antioxidants. These important ingredients provide many of the powerful benefits of watermelon. It is available year round, but tastes best when it is in season, during the summer months.

One of the greatest benefits of watermelon is the antioxidants it provides. Antioxidants prevent cell damage from oxidization of the cells, as well as neutralizing and removing free radicals in the body. Vitamins A and C, both powerful antioxidants, are found in watermelon. A single serving of watermelon has 24% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, and 10% of vitamin A. These vitamins help to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks, ease asthma symptoms, reduce the swelling associated with arthritis, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Lycopene, a carotenoid commonly found in tomatoes and mangoes, is another antioxidant found in watermelon. Lycopene has been found to be useful in preventing cancers like colorectal, breast, and lung cancer. The list of cancers that may be partially prevented by lycopene is continuously growing as more research is done. When combined with green tea, watermelon can help prevent prostate cancer.

Another of the many benefits of watermelon is that it is full of B vitamins, specifically B6, B1, magnesium and potassium. These nutrients are necessary for the body to convert calories into energy. Watermelon can also help to prevent vision loss due to macular degeneration. Three servings of fruit a day can reduce a person's risk factor for this condition.

Watermelon also has very high amounts of citrulline, an animo acid that is used by bodies to make another animo acid, arginine. Arginine is instrumental in removing ammonia from the body. It also is used by the cells in veins to produce nitric acid, which relaxes the veins and lowers blood pressure. Nitric acid, one of the main ingredients in Viagra®, is also useful in treating erectile dysfunction. Argenine also helps to improve the insulin sensitivity of people with type II diabetes.

Watermelon is a healthy snack that is high in nutrients and low in calories. A cup of watermelon has only 48 calories, due to the incredibly high percentage of water it contains. This water content helps to give watermelon its crunchy and unique texture. The benefits of watermelon make this delicious fruit an excellent choice for smoothies, home-made sherbet, and eating fresh on the rind. Even the seeds are full of important nutrients, and are full of protein and fiber. In some parts of the world, watermelon seeds are even dried and eaten as snacks. Enjoy watermelon and do your health a favor.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Margo Upson
By Margo Upson
With a vast academic background that has ranged from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education, Margo Upson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as a WiseGeek writer. Her wide-ranging interests and skill at diving into new topics make her articles informative, engaging, and valuable to readers seeking to expand their knowledge.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By motherteresa — On Apr 15, 2010

A great thirst quenching fruit. Biggest part of the fruit is water, a little more than 90%.

But it also helps the immune system among all the other wonderful, healthy benefits.

Margo Upson
Margo Upson
With a vast academic background that has ranged from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education,...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-some-health-benefits-of-watermelon.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.