LET THE JUICE RUN DOWN YOUR CHIN!
Not just a picnic staple during summertime, the juicy watermelon is actually soaked with nutrients. Each slurpy bite has meaningful levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids, even a respectable amount of potassium. Fat-free, low sodium, and only 40 calories per cup!
HEALTH BENEFITS OF WATERMELON
Heart health: high levels of lycopene are very effective at protecting cells from damage and may help lower the risk of heart disease. An American Journal of Hypertension study found that watermelon extracts helped reduce hypertension and lower BP in obese adults. Menopausal women with increased aortic stiffness, took watermelon extract for 6 weeks and saw decreased BP and arterial stiffness. Arginine can help improve blood flow and may help reduce accumulation of excess fat.
Anti-inflammatory properties: lycopene is an inhibitor for various inflammatory processes and works as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals. Choline helps keep chronic inflammation down.
Hydration: the juice is full of good electrolytes, which may help prevent heat stroke.
Digestion: the fiber in watermelon can encourage a healthy digestive tract.
Skin and Hair: vitamin A moisturizes and encourages healthy growth of new collagen and elastin cells.
Muscle soreness & athletic performance: the amino acids citrulline and arginine help improve circulation which can reduce muscle soreness after an intense workout. A 2015 study in the Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that citrulline may also help improve athletic performance, especially in cycling and sprinting.
Cancer prevention: like other fruits and veggies, watermelon may be helpful in reducing the risk of cancer through their antioxidant properties. Lycopene has been linked to reducing prostate cancer cell proliferation (National Cancer Institute.)
Nutrition facts: 1 cup diced has 40 calories, zero from fat…20% of the vitamin C and A we need daily…9% of the daily requirement for potassium…40% more lycopene than a tomato…zero cholesterol and sodium… a bit of calcium and iron.
Seedless watermelons: are they GMO foods? They are made two ways. One is to create a hybrid fruit by crossing two types of melons to add a chromosome. Second is by adding a drug called Colchicine, which is a chromosome altering chemical. So, the answer is yes, seedless watermelons are genetically modified.