Watermelon is one of the favorite fruits of many people during the hot summer days. This fruit has a sweet and refreshing taste and brings certain health benefits because it contains many essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds.
Watermelon typically has a sweet and cool taste, containing only 46 calories per cup, but is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and other plant compounds like citrulline and lycopene, which are good for health.
Additionally, this fruit offers many health benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity, reduced muscle soreness, and lower blood pressure.
Watermelon is often eaten directly, frozen, made into juice, or blended into smoothies.
- Reduces inflammation
Watermelon contains many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds like lycopene and vitamin C. Regular consumption of watermelon can help reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.
- Good for skin and hair
This fruit contains vitamin A and vitamin C, which help nourish the skin and hair. These nutrients play an important role in preventing aging, helping to keep skin and hair smooth and youthful.
- Prevents cancer
Thanks to the lycopene and cucurbitacin E in watermelon, it can help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer and colorectal cancer.
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
Studies have shown that the lycopene in watermelon has a positive impact on lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also helps prevent oxidative damage to cholesterol.
- Prevents macular degeneration
Lutein and zeaxanthin in watermelon can protect the eyes from oxidative damage, helping to prevent age-related macular degeneration and reduce the risk of eye-related issues. It also provides a certain amount of vitamin A, an important nutrient for eye health.
- Improves digestion
Watermelon contains a small amount of fiber and water, which play an important role in maintaining the digestive system’s function. Fiber helps create a feeling of fullness, supports digestion, and can prevent constipation.
- Hydrates the body
Since water makes up 92% of watermelon, it is an ideal fruit for providing the necessary hydration for the body, especially on hot days or when you need to maintain water balance.
- Reduces muscle soreness
Citrulline in watermelon can enhance exercise performance and effectively reduce muscle soreness. Additionally, it helps hydrate the body during workouts.
Is eating a lot of watermelon good?
Eating too much watermelon in one day can lead to water retention and cardiovascular issues. This is especially important for people with heart disease or high blood pressure.
Consuming too much watermelon can also raise blood sugar levels, especially for those with diabetes. The natural sugar in watermelon still needs to be monitored if you have blood sugar issues.
To maintain the best health, you should only eat about 300g of watermelon in a day, divided into meals, and avoid consuming a large amount in one meal. Additionally, it would be best if you only consumed a maximum of 300ml of watermelon juice in a day to allow the body to absorb the nutrients and minerals efficiently.
How to prepare delicious and nutritious watermelon dishes
Here are some suggestions for preparing delicious and nutritious watermelon dishes:
Smoothie: Blend watermelon with a little fresh milk to make a refreshing smoothie.
Salad: Combine watermelon with green vegetables such as cucumber, cabbage, lettuce, and beans for a healthy dish, perfect for those on a diet.
Juice: You can juice watermelon for natural watermelon juice. Watermelon juice is a great way to provide hydration and nutrients to the body.
Ice cream: This is a popular dish with the delicious flavor of watermelon and fresh milk.
Important notes when eating watermelon
Although watermelon offers many wonderful health benefits, to make eating watermelon healthy and safe, you should keep the following tips in mind:
- Do not drink watermelon juice with added sugar, as it already contains natural sugars. Adding sugar can lead to weight gain or unstable blood sugar levels for those with blood sugar issues.
- People with kidney problems should limit eating watermelon. Weak kidneys reduce the ability to excrete water, causing the kidneys to fail to remove water from the body at the necessary rate.
- Pregnant women should consult their doctor or nutritionist before adding watermelon to their daily diet to ensure safety.
- Avoid eating too much watermelon in the evening as it can cause indigestion. Additionally, the high water content in watermelon can cause you to wake up during the night.
- People with a history of watermelon allergies should avoid eating this fruit as it can cause severe reactions like hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
The information provided above gives you comprehensive insights on how to eat watermelon for health benefits. Hopefully, it helps you incorporate this delicious and nutritious fruit into your daily diet healthily!