Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day, this delectable thirst-quencher may also help quench the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.
Nutrients
The nutritional advantages of eating watermelon are numerous. A 1-cup serving of watermelon contains just 46 calories. The same serving of fresh watermelon also contains small amounts of protein and fiber. Most notably, a serving of watermelon provides you with 12.5 mg of vitamin C, 876 IU of vitamin A and 172 mg of potassium. Watermelon also provides small amounts of other key nutrients, including 0.37 mg of iron and 11 mg of calcium, as well as trace amounts of niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and folic acid.
According to Eugene A. DeFelice, author of “Nutrition and Health,” a major benefit to eating watermelon is the lycopene present in the red flesh of the fruit. The red color of watermelon signifies the presence of lycopene, an antioxidant that may protect your health. Lycopene may be beneficial in reducing your risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. A 1-cup serving of fresh watermelon contains 6,979 mcg of lycopene. Continue reading Lycopene
HealThy Self 1~*~9 