Food Heals - Top 5 Benefits and Side Effects of Watermelon

Watermelon

Watermelon is a fruit that grows on vines like flowering plant native to Southern Africa. It was mostly cultivated in Nile River Valley in Egypt, now watermelon is grown around the world and the scientific name of watermelon is Citrullus Lanatus.

The green outer rind is hard and rarely eaten, while, the interior is soft red or pink flesh containing edible seeds.

Nutritional benefits of watermelon:  Watermelon is mainly derived from its unique nutrients, vitamins, minerals and organic compounds these include significant amounts of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium fiber, protein and large amounts of potassium.

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Furthermore they contain vitamin A,vitamin b6, niacin,thiamine and wide variety of carotenoids and nutrients including lycopene.

Health Benefits of Watermelon:

Treats Kidneys:  Watermelons contains a lot of potassium, which helps in cleaning the toxic deposition in the kidneys. Moreover they also help to reduce the concentration of uric acid in the blood, thereby reducing the chances of kidney damage and the formation of renal calculi. High water content in watermelon induces urination which helps in cleaning the kidneys.

Prevent Heart Stroke: Watermelon is effective in reducing both your body temperature and blood pressure. Many people in tropical region eat this fruit every day in afternoon during summer to protect themselves from heat stroke. High amount of water content will release excess liquid in the form of sweat which cools the body during summer.

Regulate Blood Pressure:  The amount of potassium and magnesium present in watermelons is very beneficial in terms of lowering blood pressure.

Prevent Cancer:  Presence of lycopene a carotenoid phytonutrients in watermelon helps protect from cancer. Lycopene has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of prostate, breast, colon, lung and endometrial cancer. Therefore watermelon is treated as a great anti cancer fruit.

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Skin and Hair: Vitamin C and vitamin A in watermelon is healthy fuel for skin. Specifically vitamin C plays a key role in collagen production. This protein helps prevent wrinkles and protect the skin from sun damage; furthermore it acts as tonic for your hair growth and hair volume. Vitamin A in this food keeps his skins supple by preventing dryness.

Side Effects of Watermelon:

Watermelons are rich in lycopene so don’t consume watermelon in large quantities. It may lead to nausea, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion and gas.

Watermelon contains high level of potassium, consuming potassium enriched food in large quantities can lead to cardiovascular problems.

When an individual is insulin resistant then the blood sugar level tends to stay put in the blood and it does not enter into the cells of the body. Watermelon is full of with natural sugar and can cause a spike in the sugar level of body that is why diabetics should avoid consuming watermelon.

Conclusion: Fortunately consuming watermelon moderately has many benefits like lowering blood pressure, increasing your antioxidant intake, reducing inflammation or healing wounds faster.

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