Watermelon - all water or is it really good for you

Submitted by support on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 03:00

Watermelon - that lush refreshing summer fruit -


but does it contain any benefits?


Actually, yes. Watermelon, related to cantaloupe, pumpkin, and squash, will have about:



  • 4% of your Magnesium

  • 5% of your Potassium

  • 17% of your Vitamin A - betacarotenes

  • 20% of your Vitamin C

  • pink watermelon also has lycopene (a carotenoid)

of your daily requirements in 1 cup with only a minisculae amount of calories.


Nutrients in watermelon are able to stop the inflammatory processes that contribute to conditions like



  • asthma

  • artherosclerosis

  • arthritis: osteo and rheumatoid

  • colon cancer


  • diabetes


Energy :


Watermelon is rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production. Along with being a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1, it is also a good source of magnesium, and potassium. Because watermelon has a higher water content and lower calorie content than many other fruits (a whole cup of watermelon contains only 48 calories), it delivers more nutrients per calorie—an outstanding health benefit!


Lycopene:


Also found in tomatos (although we can only absorb it from cooked tomatoes). Lycopene has been extensively studied for its contribution in preventing cancers (breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer).


Lycopene is also recognized as preventing macular degeneration and other eye disorders.


Eating lycopene-rich fruits, such as watermelon, and drink green tea may greatly reduce a man's risk of developing prostate cancer, suggests research published the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Jian L, Lee AH, et al.)


Arginine:


Watermeolon is also high in citrulline. This is an amino acid that is used to make another amino acid called arginine. Arginine is used to Urea cycle to remove ammonia from our body and by the lining of the arteries to make Nitric Oxide - which is used to regulate vasodilation. Without sufficient Nitric Oxide, our arteries do not expand and contract and we end up with high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction.


Arginine also helps to improve insulin receptivity in prediabetics and type 2 diabetes.


References




  • Cho E, Seddon JM, Rosner B, Willett WC, Hankinson SE. Prospective study of intake of fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and carotenoids and risk of age-related maculopathy. Arch Ophthalmol. 2004 Jun;122(6):883-92. 2004. PMID:15197064. 


  •   Collins JK, Wu G, Perkins-Veazie P, Spears K, Claypool PL, Baker RA, Clevidence BA. Watermelon consumption increases plasma arginine concentrations in adults. Nutrition. 2007 Mar;23(3):261-6. 2007. PMID:17352962.


  • Edwards AJ, Vinyard BT, Wiley ER et al. Consumption of watermelon juice increases plasma concentrations of lycopene and beta-carotene in humans. J Nutr 2003 Apr;133(4):1043-50 2003.


  • Ensminger AH, Ensminger, ME, Kondale JE, Robson JRK. Foods & Nutriton Encyclopedia. Pegus Press, Clovis, California 1983.


  • Ensminger AH, Esminger M. K. J. e. al. Food for Health: A Nutrition Encyclopedia. Clovis, California: Pegus Press; 1986 1986. PMID:15210.


  • Erhardt JG, Meisner C, Bode JC, Bode C. Lycopene, beta-carotene, and colorectal adenomas. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Dec;78(6):1219-24. 2003.


  • Fortin, Francois, Editorial Director. The Visual Foods Encyclopedia. Macmillan, New York 1996.


  • Gil MI, Aguayo E, Kader AA. Quality changes and nutrient retention in fresh-cut versus whole fruits during storage. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Jun 14;54(12):4284-96. 2006. PMID:16756358.


  • Jian L, Lee AH, Binns CW. Tea and lycopene protect against prostate cancer. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16 Suppl 1:453-7. 2007. PMID:17392149.


  • Lucotti P, Setola E, Monti LD, Galluccio E, Costa S, Sandoli EP, Fermo I, Rabaiotti G, Gatti R, Piatti P. Beneficial effects of a long-term oral L-arginine treatment added to a hypocaloric diet and exercise training program in obese, insulin-resistant type 2 diabetic patients. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Nov;291(5):E906-12. Epub 2006 Jun 13. 2006. PMID:16772327.


  • Perkins-Veazie P, Collins JK. Carotenoid changes of intact watermelons after storage. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Aug 9;54(16):5868-74. 2006. PMID:16881688.


  •   Wood, Rebecca. The Whole Foods Encyclopedia. New York, NY: Prentice-Hall Press; 1988 1988. PMID:15220.


  • http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31

For more information, contact: Dr Holly at holly@choicesunlimited.ca


Copyright 2011 © Choices Unlimited for Health & Wellness


Disclaimer: This site is provided for general information only, and is not a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or other health care professional. This site is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of this website. This site is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of such sites. Always consult your own health care practitioner.