Health benefits of Watermelon Juice

Watermelon, an all time favorite fruit for meals and snacks is actually a “vegetable”. The origin of watermelon can be traced back to early Egyptian civilization, which is still evident in the hieroglyphics on the wall paintings. A good way to look at a watermelon is just like a multivitamin, only with an amazing taste. Watermelons are available throughout the year and are grown for their fleshy, juicy and sweet fruit. Its natural sweetness makes it a delicious and refreshing dessert especially in hot climate. Watermelon consists of more than 91% of water and nearly 8% sugar. The sweet and juicy watermelon has lots of nutritional benefits:
It is fat free.
It has very low sodium content.
It is Cholesterol free.
It is a good source of Vitamins A & C
It is high in Lycopene content

You could probably guess what the health benefits of watermelon are.

• 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.
• 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.

• Watermelon for Cancer Prevention Watermelon is a rich natural source of lycopene, a carotenoid of great interest because of its antioxidant capacity and potential health benefits. Dietary consumption of the carotenoid lycopene has been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer.
• Watermelon for Boosting the Immune System  Watermelon is a rich source of citrulline, an amino acid that can be metabolized to arginine, an essential amino acid. Arginine is the physiologic precursor in the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which plays a pivotal role in many biological processes such as platelet aggregation and immune system modulation.
• Watermelon for Impotence Arginine seems to improve sexual function in men with impotence. Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels. A study of 50 men with impotence reported significant improved sexual function after arginine supplementation.
• Watermelon for Heart Health  The arginine that is available from watermelon has been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with heart failure.

Vitamins

• 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

• 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.