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Category: > Health > 15 Things You Didn’t Know About The Health Benefits of Watermelon

15 Things You Didn’t Know About The Health Benefits of Watermelon

Oct 21, 2015 Carly Fraser Save For Later Print

Last Updated: Apr 02, 2020

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health benefits of watermelon

Love watermelon? Your body does too! These 15 health benefits of watermelon include the prevention of kidney disorders, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and more. It is by far, one of the most powerful body-healing fruits out there!

This amazing fruit is incredibly hydrating (up to 92% water) and is naturally low-fat. It is nutrient dense, and provides a high amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and crucial phytonutrients. The health benefits of watermelon are beyond anything you could ever imagine – this fruit is a true healer, and is just waiting to be eaten (so what are you waiting for?).

Here are 15 incredible health benefits of watermelon:

Effective Kidney Cleanser

Watermelon is a natural diuretic, which means that it improves the flow of urine, but doesn’t strain the kidneys (unlike alcohol and caffeine). It helps the liver process ammonia (waste from protein digestion), which eases kidney strain while getting rid of excess fluids.

Alkalizing

Watermelon is one of the most alkalizing fruits on the planet! Eat when fully ripe to receive the highest concentration of alkalizing minerals.

Anti-Inflammatory

Watermelon contains the compound choline, which reduces chronic inflammation. It also contains the carotenoid lycopene, which is beneficial in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals.

Natural Diuretic

As mentioned above, watermelon is a natural diuretic and helps increase urine output. This is beneficial because it helps keep the kidneys clean and reduces toxic load in the body. It also helps with reducing the effects of edema, a condition where excess water gets trapped in the tissues of your body, particularly the ankles, feet, hands and arms. Watermelon can help eliminate this excessive fluid throughout the body by reducing water retention.

Reduces Cancer Risk

Loaded with antioxidants, particularly vitamin C (one of the strongest antioxidants), watermelon can help reduce free radical formation, one of the main triggers of cancer formation. Lycopene, which is highly concentrated in watermelon, has also been linked with a decreased risk of prostate cancer in many different studies.

Improves Liver Function

Watermelon helps the liver process ammonia, a waste from protein digestion. Too much ammonia in the body (caused by eating too much animal protein, or other) can lead to Hepatic Encephalopathy, where the brain loses function due to a faulty liver unable to remove toxins from the blood.

Maintains Eye Health

The health benefits of watermelon also extend to our eyes. Beta-carotene is rampant in watermelon (the rich red hue is a good sign it contains plenty of it!). Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body, and helps produce the pigments in the retina of the eye. It protects against age-related macular degeneration as well as prevents night blindness.

Strengthens The Immune System

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). Vitamin C also helps our immune system produce antibodies to fight disease and illness.

Great Source of Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), is abundant in watermelon, and helps assist in the creation of serotonin (the “happy” chemical in the brain), GABA and dopamine. It is also involved in several of the steps involved in carbohydrate metabolism, and is required by heme (a component of hemoglobin in the blood) for its production. Lack of this vitamin is associated with chronic inflammation.

Natural Sunscreen

Watermelon is one of those foods that help boost your skin’s antioxidant protection against UV radiation. It is high in lycopene (40% higher than tomatoes), a red carotenoid that protects the skin against sunburn and skin cancer. It is also high in vitamin C, which prevents premature aging and skin cancer by keeping free radicals at bay.

Helps Muscle and Nerve Function

Watermelon is a wonderful source of the natural electrolyte, potassium, and thus helps regulate the action of nerves and muscles in our body. Watermelon has also been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time in athletes. This effect has mainly been attributed to the amino acid citrulline found in watermelon.

Fights Heart Disease, Heart Attack and Stroke

Eating watermelon reduces pressure on the aorta and on the heart! Why? Watermelon contains the compounds arginine and citrulline, both of which reduce high blood pressure (by helping relax blood vessels) and therefore reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Lycopene is another heart-saver (and is concentrated in high amounts in watermelon), as it helps protect against heart disease.

Digestion and Regularity

If you’re having problems going to the bathroom, no problem! Watermelon can fix that for you! Watermelon contains a perfect balance of water and fibre, which helps prevent constipation and promotes regularity. If they come with black seeds, make sure you eat those, too! They’re high in zinc and will provide even more roughage to improve bowel movements.

Strengthens The Bones

Dietary lycopene, whether from watermelon or tomatoes, reduces oxidative stress. Why does this strengthen our bones? Oxidative stress reduces the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts (two major bone cells involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis). This means that when you eat watermelon, you’re helping prevent and even reverse this process. Watermelon also contains a high level of potassium, which improves calcium retention in the body, resulting in stronger bones and joints.

Reduces Body Fat

Watermelon contains citrulline, and citrulline has been shown to reduce the accumulation of fat in our fat cells. Citrulline blocks the activity of TNAP (tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase), which makes our fat cells create less fat, thus helping to prevent over-accumulation of body fat.

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Filed Under: Food Education, Health Tagged With: benefits of watermelon, Health benefits of watermelon, is watermelon good for you, watermelon, watermelon benefits

Carly Fraser

About the Author

Carly Fraser has her BSc (Hons.) Degree in Neuroscience, and is the owner and founder at Live Love Fruit. She currently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with a determined life mission to help inspire and motivate individuals to critically think about what they put in their bodies and to find balance through nutrition and lifestyle. She has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals to re-connect with their bodies and learn self-love through proper eating habits and natural living. She loves to do yoga, dance, and immerse herself in nature.

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  1. 15 Things You NEED To Know About Watermelon: From A Full Kidney Detox To Preventing Cancer - Healthy Holistic Living says:
    Jan 3, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    […] At Healthy Holistic Living we search the web for great health content to share with you. This article is shared with permission from our friends at LiveLoveFruit.com […]

    Reply
  2. Strawberry Watermelon Limeade: Heal The Kidneys, Strengthen The Eyes and Lower Blood Pressure | Live Love Fruit says:
    Feb 23, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    […] is a great antioxidant and nutritional powerhouse! So what better than to enjoy it in this strawberry watermelon […]

    Reply
  3. 8 reasons you need to eat a cup of watermelon every day : The Hearty Soul says:
    Aug 18, 2016 at 10:32 am

    […] 9. https://livelovefruit.com/15-things-health-benefits-of-watermelon/ […]

    Reply

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