Regular consumption of watermelon can increase blood concentrations of lycopene and beta-carotene. Studies suggest that these potent antioxidants may have protective effects against heart disease and certain cancers, such as prostate, bladder, and cervical cancer.
Lycopene and beta-carotene are compounds called carotenoids, which are highly colored pigments that help protect plants against damage from sunlight. Carotenoids are important because they have antioxidant activity and prevent free radicals from causing harm to the body, similar to other types of antioxidants such as selenium and vitamins C and E. Some carotenoids are also converted to vitamin A, which is necessary for normal immune function and development of cells.
Watermelons are an excellent source of several vitamins: Vitamin A, which helps maintain eye
health and is an antioxidant. Vitamin C,
which helps strengthen immunity, heal wounds, prevent cell damage, promote
healthy teeth and gums. Vitamin B6,
which helps brain function and helps convert protein to energy.
Watermelon has the highest concentrations of lycopene of any fresh
fruit or vegetable. Lycopene a powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and several
types of cancer — prostate cancer in particular.
A great source of potassium, which helps
muscle and nerve function, helps maintain the body’s proper electrolyte
and acid-base balance, and helps
lower the risk of high blood pressure.
Watermelons may relax blood vessels, improving circulation and even
improving libido and erectile function, according to Medical News Today.
Watermelon gives you a sweet treat with nutrients that benefit your body.
Watermelon's citrulline converts into arginine, an amino acid
that benefits the heart and
circulatory system.
Watermelon contains
more lycopene and beta carotene than tomatoes do. Dark red watermelons
are particularly rich in these protective phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are
natural plant compounds that trigger
positive health effects in the body.
LOWER RISK
OF HEART DISEASE
Preliminary research suggests lycopene has an effect on the carotid artery's
thickness and may help to prevent
cardiovascular disease by protecting LDL, "good" cholesterol,
from oxidation, according to Ronald Ross Watson and Victor R. Preedy's
"Nutrition and Heart Disease: Causation and Prevention." High
concentrations of lycopene in body fat are associated with lower rates of heart attack, especially in nonsmoking men,
the authors report.
Protecting
your heart's health is crucial to maintaining good circulation.
Oxidation of LDL refers to negative changes in LDL that may lead to heart
disease. Watermelon and other foods rich in antioxidants help prevent LDL
oxidation and the risk of atherosclerosis, hardening of the arteries that
causes dangerous problems with circulation, the authors say.
LOWER BLOOD
PRESSURE
Watermelon extract
reduced blood pressure in obese,
middle-aged people who had prehypertension or hypertension, according
to American researchers who reported their findings in the June 2012 issue of
the "American Journal of Hypertension." The researchers concluded
that the results suggest watermelon extract reduced arterial pressure, although further research is
needed. Most of the study subjects were obese, post-menopausal women with mild
high blood pressure.
CONSIDERATIONS
Even though watermelon is sweet; it has
a low glycemic load. Glycemic load considers the amount of carbohydrate
per serving, offering a more accurate gauge of a food's impact on blood sugar
than the glycemic index alone does. Delaying
appropriate treatment for a heart or circulation problem can have serious
consequences.
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