Benefits of Watermelon

Here are some facts on the health benefits of watermelon and watermelon nutritional value.

It is commonly believed that watermelon is a "zero" food, meaning that it doesn't contain enough calories or fat to really count and doesn't contain any nutrients or health benefits to brag about. This is untrue. While watermelon is a super low calorie food that is not going to wreck your diet, there are many watermelon health benefits well worth bragging about.

You have probably heard a lot about the benefits of antioxidants lately, both in relation to the health of your body and the anti-aging effects on facial skin. Watermelon happens to be loaded with all types of antioxidants which help keep the body clear of free radicals which can cause many health problems, sagging skin, wrinkles, and a variety of other issues.

The high content of vitamins such as C and A are also ways that watermelon benefits the body. These vitamins help strengthen the immune system and prevent heart disease, cancer, and other diseases faced regularly in today's society.

Watermelon also includes Lycopene, which has proven to fight off the development of cancerous cells in several different organs of the body. Combined with other antioxidants, this alone makes watermelon one of the most beneficial foods currently available for your overall health.

Finally, watermelon is naturally an extremely watery food. This high water content helps keep your body hydrated and helps keep your stomach feeling full for a longer period of time after eating. The other benefits of watermelon regard its nutritional information which will be discussed next.

Watermelon Nutritional Value:

Following is the basic watermelon nutritional facts for 1 cup:

1. 46 Calories
   
   
2. 0 g Fat
   
   
3. 11 g Carbohydrate
   
   
4. 1 g Protein
   
   
5. 0.5 g Fiber
   
   
6. 5g Fructose
   
   
7. 2 mg Sodium
   
   
8. 865 IU Vitamin A
   
   
9. 12 mg Vitamin C
   
   
10. 11 mg Calcium
    
    
11. 170 mg Potassium
    
    
12. 461 micrograms beta carotene
    
    
13. 6889 micrograms Lycopene

The obvious benefits of watermelon here involve the super low calorie count and the complete absence of dietary fat. This is one of the few foods that you could eat unlimited amounts of to keep your stomach full without causing a gain in weight or a sluggish, tired feeling. The fact that it helps you stay thin is an additional way that watermelon benefits the body.

Besides being extremely low in calories, the low sodium content is notable. Sodium can do damaging things inside the body as well as cause uncomfortable bloating. Not only does watermelon contain very little of it, but the high water content actually helps to wash sodium from other foods out of the body.

When you add all of the health benefits with the nutritional benefits of watermelon, you can see why this is much more than a "zero" food to ignore. This is an essential dietary component for anyone looking to lose weight, fight off disease and illness, or simply reduce their chances of developing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or even simple bloating from excess sodium consumption.

How watermelon benefits every part of the body and even makes you feel better with less bloating makes it deserving of a regular spot on your menu. Most grocery stores now carry a variety of melons year round, so you don't even have to wait for the heat of summer to kick in to get the many health benefits of watermelon.

What Do You Think?

Do you have something to say or add to this article? Share it!

Back to benefits of fruits

Return from benefits of watermelon to the iBenefits home