You probably love watermelon because it’s juicy and sweet. But did you know that this tasty fruit is also super healthy? Recent research says that watermelon can help improve your diet and keep your heart healthy!
Watermelon Boosts Nutrient Intake
A study published in a journal called Nutrients found out that people who eat watermelon tend to have a healthier diet.
Both kids and adults who ate watermelon were found to consume more dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin A.
They also had more lycopene and other carotenoids in their diet. These are all essential nutrients that our body needs to function well.
What’s more, people who ate watermelon also consumed less added sugars and unhealthy fats. The researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for this study.
Watermelon for Heart Health
Another study found that watermelon juice could help protect our blood vessels when our blood sugar levels are high.
The researchers from Louisiana State University gave watermelon juice to a group of healthy young men and women every day for two weeks.
They found that the watermelon juice helped improve nitric oxide levels and heart rate variability. These are important for keeping our blood vessels and heart healthy.
The researchers believe that this might be due to two compounds found in watermelon, L-citrulline, and L-arginine.
Although this study was small and more research is needed, it adds to the evidence that regular watermelon consumption is good for our hearts.
We Should Eat More Fruits, Including Watermelon
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest that we should eat 1.5 to 2.5 cups of fruit every day.
However, both kids and adults in the U.S. are not eating enough fruit. They only consume about half of the recommended amount each day.
Watermelon is an excellent choice for increasing fruit consumption. It’s rich in vitamin C and a good source of vitamin B6.
Plus, it’s a delicious way to stay hydrated because it’s 92% water. And don’t forget, it only has 80 calories for a 2-cup serving!
Enjoy Watermelon All Year Round
You might think of watermelon as a summer fruit. But the good news is that you can enjoy it all year round. Thanks to different climates, farmers can grow watermelons in different seasons.
So, the next time you’re planning a BBQ or a get-together, consider including watermelon. It’s not just a tasty treat, but a superfruit that can boost your health!
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about plant nutrients that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
The study was published in Nutrients.
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