Health Benefits of Watermelon

              

One of the first things to understand about watermelon is that it contains plenty of powerful antioxidants.

Antioxidants are best understood as little warriors fighting a war. The war they fight isn't for money or land or oil, instead, it's for dominion over your body. Antioxidants pack some heavy firepower, and are very well equipped to defeat their enemies.
Luckily, antioxidants are on your side. Their enemies are things like cancers, tumors and anything which acts to have a negative effect on your body. They have been linked to preventing and even curing cancer, and are found mainly in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.
The antioxidants in watermelon have been found to reduce the severity of asthma, and also to reduce the risk of various diseases including colon cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and prostate cancer.
Talk about amazing health benefits of watermelon right!

• Antioxidant firepower. Watermelon contains some of the most powerful antioxidants so far discovered.
• Vitamin warehouse. Loaded with Vitamin C and packed with Vitamin A (due to its concentration of beta-carotene).
• Stop getting the cold. Vitamin C is something most people associate to oranges. But watermelon has a lot of it, and it contributes to a strong immune system as well as slower aging.
• Lycopene. A potent antioxidant that gives watermelon its bright red color. Up until recently, it was thought to be only in tomatoes. But recent studies have shown watermelon to have the highest lycopene content out of any fruit or vegetable.
• Prevents prostate cancer. This is due to the antioxidants, especially lycopene.
• Rehydration. Rich in electrolytes and 90% water so it's a healthy alternative to Gatorade, as well as tasting downright amazing.
• Increased energy. Truckloads of Vitamin B contribute to increased energy production. Some food experts recommend watermelon for Vitamin B1, B6 and magnesium deficiencies.
• Cope with anxiety and panic. Vitamin B6 increases the brains ability to cope with anxiety and panic.
• Cooling effect. Scientists have found that watermelon has a special cooling effect.
• Lose weight. Watermelon is completely, 100% fat free.
• Cholesterol free. No need to worry if you have cholesterol problems.
• Prevents macular degeneration. Another word for loss of vision, macular degeneration can be prevented by eating or drinking watermelon. Carrots are also in this boat.
• Prevent heart disease. Another benefit of the antioxidants, and something you will find with most fruits and vegetables.
• Prevent erectile dysfunction. Scientists are even saying it works similar to Viagra by relaxing the blood vessels.

A good way to look at a watermelon is just like a multivitamin, only with an amazing taste.
On a side note, green tea has been found to work synergistically with foods rich in lycopene (such as watermelon). When green tea is consumed alongside these foods, the beneficial effects are more pronounced.

Vitamins

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• Vitamin A - 1627 IU
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.094 mg
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.06 mg
• Niacin - 0.509 mg
• Folate - 9 mcg
• Pantothenic Acid - 0.632 mg
• Vitamin B6 - 0.129 mg
• Vitamin C - 23.2 mg
• Vitamin E - 0.14 mg
• Vitamin K - 0.3 mcg

*Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.

Minerals

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• Potassium - 320 mg
• Phosphorus - 31 mg
• Magnesium - 29 mg
• Calcium - 20 mg
• Sodium - 3 mg
• Iron - 0.69 mg
• Selenium 1.1 mcg
• Manganese - 0.109 mg
• Copper - 0.12 mg
• Zinc - 0.29 mg

*Also contains small amounts of other minerals.