It has more lycopene than raw tomatoes
In just one cup, watermelon has 1.5 times the stuff than a
large fresh tomato, 6 milligrams compared to 4 milligrams, according to the
USDA. That matters because lycopene is thought to act as a super antioxidant,
stopping free radicals from damaging your cells and messing with your immune
system. Some research even suggests that lycopene, typically found in red
fruits and vegetables, may help fight heart disease and several types of
cancer.
The juice may relieve muscle soreness
A Spanish study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food
Chemistry found that drinking watermelon juice can actually be quite soothing
after a grueling workout. Athletes who consumed a little more than 16 ounces an
hour before exercise had less muscle soreness and a lower heart rate within a
day. That may be because watermelon contains a natural substance
called citrulline that’s been tied to improved artery function and lower blood
pressure. In fact, its ability to relax the blood vessels led Texas A&M
University researchers to say watermelon has Viagra-like effects. But you’ll
need to look beyond the pink flesh if you really want to load up on
citrulline—it’s concentrated most in the rind. If that’s not your thing, you
can always save it for pickling or preserving later, Sass says.
It’s a fruit AND a vegetable
Talk about an overachiever. Like most fruits, watermelon is
the product of a seed-producing plant and has a signature sweet taste. But it
can be traced back to the squash, pumpkin, and cucumber family known as
Cucurbitaceae. Remember how you can eat the rind? The dual nature of watermelon
makes it all edible, so there’s no excuse to leave any part behind.
It’s packed with, well, water
Now this is a food with some serious hydration power.
Watermelon is 91.5% water, according to the USDA. That’s a big deal seeing as
how being dehydrated is bad for your health. A study published in The Journal
of Nutrition found that women with even mild dehydration experienced headaches,
poor concentration, fatigue, and worse moods. More reason to whip up some
watermelon recipes, stat.
There’s a yellow variety
It’s hard to believe there’s a watermelon that’s NOT pink on
the inside, but there’s another variety, known as Yellow Crimson, has a sunny
interior and the flesh has a sweeter, honey-like taste. Thing is, the two are
nearly identical on the outside, so unless you’re reading the signs at your
grocery store or farmers’ market, it can be hard to tell which is which. If you
want the regular pink watermelon, ask for a Crimson Sweet.
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