- 1. Helps Deflate
- 2. Moisturizes the body
- 3. Strengthens the immune system
- 4. Protects the skin from the sun
- 5. Improves intestinal transit
- 6. Helps control blood pressure
- 7. Improves skin and hair health
- Nutritional information of watermelon
- Watermelon recipes
- Watermelon and pomegranate salad
- Watermelon stew
- Green sausage
Watermelon is a delicious fruit with lots of water, rich in potassium and magnesium, which makes it an excellent natural diuretic. This fruit has beneficial effects on fluid balance, helping to prevent water retention and promoting a well-hydrated and youthful skin.
Watermelon is made up of 92% water and only 6% sugar, which is a small amount that does not negatively affect blood sugar levels and is therefore a good option to include in the diet.
Some of the health benefits of watermelon are:
1. Helps Deflate
Watermelon has a diuretic action, helping the body to fight fluid retention.
2. Moisturizes the body
Watermelon helps to hydrate the body because it contains 92% water. In addition, it also contains fibers in its composition, which, together with water, helps the person to feel satiated. See other foods with a high water content that help fight dehydration.
3. Strengthens the immune system
As an excellent source of vitamin C, watermelon contributes to the proper functioning of the immune system. In addition, it also contains carotenoids, which are antioxidants that have been shown to be effective in preventing certain diseases, such as some types of cancer.
See more health benefits of carotenoids and other foods in which they can be found.
4. Protects the skin from the sun
Due to its composition rich in carotenoids, such as lycopene, watermelon is a great option to help protect the skin from photo oxidative damage and thus prevent premature aging.
5. Improves intestinal transit
Watermelon has in its composition a large amount of fibers and water, which increase the fecal cake and contribute to the better functioning of the intestinal transit. See other tips to improve intestinal transit.
6. Helps control blood pressure
Because it is rich in water, potassium and magnesium, watermelon contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure. In addition, lycopene also helps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as prevent oxidation of cholesterol in the arteries.
7. Improves skin and hair health
Watermelon contributes to healthy skin and hair, due to the presence of vitamins A, C and lycopene. Vitamin C is involved in collagen synthesis, vitamin A contributes to cell regeneration and lycopene helps to protect the skin from sun damage.
The red part of the watermelon is rich in antioxidant carotenoids, beta-carotene and lycopene that protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, but the clear part, close to the skin is also rich in nutrients and therefore should be consumed whenever possible. See also the benefits of melon to lose weight.
Nutritional information of watermelon
The table indicates the amount of nutrients in 100 g of watermelon:
| Nutrient | Amount | Nutrient | Amount |
| Vitamin A | 50 mcg | Carbohydrates | 5.5 g |
| Vitamin B1 | 20 mcg | Protein | 0.4 g |
| Vitamin B2 | 10 mcg | Calcium | 10 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 100 mcg | Phosphor | 5 mg |
| Energy | 26 Kcal | Magnesium | 12 mg |
| Fibers | 0.1 g | Vitamin C | 4 mg |
| Lycopene | 4.5 mcg | Carotene | 300 mcg |
| Folic acid | 2 mcg | Potassium | 100 mg |
| Zinc | 0.1 mg | Iron | 0.3 mg |
Watermelon recipes
Watermelon is a fruit that is usually consumed naturally, but it can also be prepared with other foods. Some examples of watermelon recipes are:
Watermelon and pomegranate salad
Ingredients
- 3 medium slices of watermelon; 1 large pomegranate; mint leaves; honey to taste.
Method of preparation
Cut the watermelon into pieces and peel the pomegranate, taking advantage of its berries. Put everything in a bowl, decorate with mint and sprinkle with honey.
Watermelon stew
Ingredients
- Half watermelon; 1/2 tomato; 1/2 chopped onion; 1 garlic clove; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley and chives; 2 tablespoons of oil; 1/2 glass of water; For seasoning: salt, black pepper and 1 bay leaf.
Method of preparation
Sauté the garlic clove, onion and oil to brown. Then add the watermelon, tomato and bay leaves and leave on medium heat for a few minutes until everything is very soft. Add water, parsley and chives and when ready, serve with a meat or fish dish.
Green sausage
Ingredients
- 1 peel of watermelon; 1 chopped tomato; 1 chopped onion; chopped parsley and chives to taste; 1kg of cooked and shredded chicken breast; sliced olives; 3 tablespoons mayonnaise; 1/2 lemon juice.
Method of preparation
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Place in small cups or cups and serve ice cream, accompanied by rice, for example.
