Watermelon belongs to the family of the species of Cucurbitaceae. It is a vine-like flowering plant domesticated initially in West Africa. Moreover, China is the largest cultivator globally with 79.3 million tonnes, followed by Iran.
It consists of 92% of water content. It makes it an excellent snack for summer as it will keep you cool and is filling. Besides, it is a highly nutritious fruit. Not just the red flesh in the middle is consumable and contains nutrients. But the white flesh near the shell is healthy as well.
The white section contains the amino acids that promote blood flow in the human body. Therefore, it results in better cardiovascular health. Besides, the seeds are equally nutritious as the flesh. They contain high protein, magnesium, vitamin B, and good fats.
Language | Name | Written as |
---|---|---|
Arabic | albatikh | البطيخ |
Bengali | Taramuja | তরমুজ |
Gujarati | Tarabūca | તરબૂચ |
Hindi | tarabooj | तरबूज |
Kannada | Kallaṅgaḍi | ಕಲ್ಲಂಗಡಿ |
Malayalam | taṇṇimattan | തണ്ണിമത്തൻ |
Marathi | Ṭarabūja | टरबूज |
Punjabi | Tarabūja | ਤਰਬੂਜ |
Tamil | Tarpūcaṇi | தர்பூசணி |
Telugu | Puccakāya | పుచ్చకాయ |
Urdu | tarabooj | تربوز |
Nutritional profile per 100 gms
Source: USDA & Google
Watermelon is a fruit rich in carbs, fibres, vitamins (C, B5, and A), Copper, Potassium etc. In addition, it also contains plant compounds like citrulline, lycopene and other nutrients. Due to all these nutrients, watermelon has many health benefits, and some of them will surprise you.
Yes, you are reading it right. This one fruit has it all and so I call it a Heavenly Fruit.
Watermelons are scientifically known as Citrullus lanatus. There are over 800 varieties of watermelon (in 96 countries) that are grown across the world.
Eating food items with more water content is an excellent alternative to keeping yourself hydrated other than drinking water. Watermelon also comes under this category of food items because it contains 92% water content. Not only that, but it also makes you feel full.
Source: PubmedCentral
Many nutrients in watermelon prove to be beneficial for heart health. For example, lycopene is a compound also found in watermelon. It can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Also, nitric oxide helps your blood vessels expand. That results in lowering blood pressure. Besides, an amino acid in watermelon- citrulline, may increase nitric oxide levels in the body.
Source: PubmedCentral
A few studies suggest that this fruit possess anti-cancer effects. It is because it contains compounds like cucurbitacin E and lycopene. Both of these compounds help prevent certain kinds of cancer. However, the results of this study are mixed. Hence, it is debatable to prove that watermelon helps prevent cancer.
Source: PubmedCentral
Inflammation is one of the primary reasons causes of chronic diseases. Watermelon is also rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants like lycopene and vitamin C. Thus, watermelons can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and oxidative stress.
Source: PubmedCentral
Age-related macular degeneration is a problem with your retina. In this condition, a person might lose their central vision.
Lycopene may help in preventing age-related macular degeneration. This problem is common in older groups of people. However, it may sometimes also cause blindness.
Lycopene found in watermelon acts as an anti-oxidative and may help prevent AMD from developing. Or also prevent it from getting worse. Thus, it helps maintain your eyesight.
Source: PubmedCentral.
Consuming watermelon and watermelon juice can reduce the amount of oxidative damage. This is because the antioxidants in watermelon scavenge the reactive oxidative species and render them harmless.
Regular consumption of watermelon helps remove unwanted fatty deposits from the blood vessels and accumulate bad cholesterol in the body. Thus, making decreasing the chances of heart stroke and other heart diseases.
It helps in lowering blood pressure. In addition, the citrulline present in watermelon helps to relax and dilate your blood vessels.
Vitamin A present in watermelon helps your eyes stay healthy.
Proper dietary consumption of this heavenly fruit prescribed by nutritionists helps manage glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Consumption of watermelon improves erection problems in men who have erectile dysfunction. It is a type of viagra with no side effects. It relaxes and dilates the blood vessels, which helps both men and women to enjoy intercourse.
Watermelon is the only fruit containing L-citrulline, which helps smooth muscle relaxation, enhance performance, and relieve muscle soreness.
A study shows that consuming an adequate amount of foods rich in Vitamin C helps prevent hair loss and increase hair growth.
Vitamin C available in watermelon helps protect the hyperactive airways of people with exercise-induced asthma.
Watermelons are rich in calcium and potassium, which contributes to removing the toxins in the kidneys.
Citrulline in watermelons turns into arginine and helps burn unwanted, stored body fats.
Watermelons are rich in water content and fibre content. Thus it helps in the digestion process.
Watermelon contains Vitamin C, and it promotes collagen production. As a result, it can prevent the skin from sun damage, skin ageing, and wrinkles.
Watermelons have both Calcium and Lycopene, which improve bone health and prevent bone loss.
Consumption of 60mg or more of Vitamin C daily helps speed up the process of wound healing in the body.
Water and fibre are both essential for the process of digestion. Water helps keep your digestive tract moving efficiently. Watermelon is rich in both water and also in fibre content. And eating such food can be very helpful for promoting regular bowel movements. Hence, you can consider it suitable for the digestive system.
Source: PubmedCentral
Other health benefits are:
Watermelon is harmless if taken in a reasonable amount every day. But too much consumption may cause an increase in lycopene or potassium and sugar content in your body. It may also result in nausea, diarrhoea, indigestion, and bloating.
Watermelon does contain fruit sugar that is lactose. But it is less likely to affect blood sugar levels.
Watermelon has a very high water content of almost 92%. So it may not be actual detox but more like the cleansing of your body.