Watermelon is a summer time favorite. It is loved not only for its juicy and refreshing taste, but it has a lot of dietary benefits too. Watermelon has many health benefits associated with it that makes it a summer time super-food.
Watermelon is a great food to keep you hydrated in the summer heat. It has a high water content and is almost 92% water! Eating foods that are high in water content will help prevent dehydration in the summer months. Watermelon freezes well too. If you want a watermelon treat, puree it and pour into Popsicle molds for a healthy and beneficial frozen treat.
Another benefit of watermelon is that it has very low calories when compared to other fruits. It has less than 50 calories per serving! It is also contains levels of Vitamins C, A, B1, B5, B6. Watermelon also has levels of potassium and magnesium in it, which aids in balancing electrolyte losses.
Watermelon also contains lycopene which is what naturally gives it the red color on the inside of the melon. Other fruits and vegetables that are red contain lycopene too. Lycopene is an antioxidant that helps to support the immune system and can help to lower cholesterol levels.
Another quality of watermelon that makes it a super food is the cucurbitacin E. This is a plant based compound that is loaded with antioxidant benefits and can also contribute to anti-inflammatory effects. Other melons contain these properties too, but watermelon has a high amount making it the perfect choice for summer.
Watermelon is easy to add into the diet. You can eat it by itself. You can add it to salads. You can blend into smoothies. You can even puree it and pour it into a mold for a frozen treat. However you like to enjoy watermelon, make sure you get to enjoy one of summer’s super foods this season.
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