Why You Should Eat More Watermelon This Summer
It seems that watermelon is one of the all-time favorite fruits, and for good reason. The sweet and crunchy fruit is the perfect summery snack thanks to its refreshing qualities. Well, did you know that watermelon is much healthier than we realized? In fact, the red fruit has plenty of great benefits, making it something you’ll definitely want to eat more this summer!
Cancer-Fighting
Watermelon contains a plant compound called lycopene. Researchers have studied this and found that it might help prevent cancer. How? This compound lowers insulin-like growth factors – IGF. This protein is involved in cell division in the body. High IGF levels have been linked to cancer.
Hydrating
Of course, drinking water is essential to keep the body healthy and functioning. However, eating foods that have high water content can help as well. As you might have heard, watermelon is 92% water. To top it off, one of the reasons fruits and vegetables help you feel full is thanks to their high water content. So, the combination of fiber and water means you’re eating a good amount of food without too many calories.
High In Vitamin C
When it comes to fruits, watermelon is one of the lowest in calories. It only has 46 calories per cup. This is lower than low-sugar fruits like berries. In fact, one cup of watermelon has a lot of other nutrients like vitamins C, A, B1, B5, and B6. It also has potassium and magnesium. In short, watermelon is a great way to get those vitamins we all need to stay healthy.
Good For the Skin and Hair
As we’ve said, watermelon is full of vitamins. Well, two of those vitamins are great for the skin and hair: vitamin C and vitamin A. Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen, a protein that keeps the skin supple and your hair strong. Vitamin A is important for healthy skin as well since it helps create and repair skin cells. Not to mention, there are also two compounds in watermelon which might help protect your skin from sunburns.
