How are water melons good for health?

India
November 30, 2008 11:13am CST
Water melons are rich in potassium, a nutrient that may help control blood pressure, regulate heart beat, and possibly prevent strokes. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines state that a potassium-rich diet helps keep salt from raising blood pressure and may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and possibly age-related bone loss. The guidelines encourage adults to consume 4,700 milligrams per day (while keeping sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams per day, which is one teaspoon of salt). Watermelon has lycopene, which can help reduce the risk of several cancers. Melons are also abundant in vitamin C, one arm of the now-famous disease-fighting antioxidant trio. Another arm that's well represented is beta-carotene. Researchers believe that beta-carotene and vitamin C are capable of preventing heart disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions. No matter which way you cut them, when it comes to nutrition, melons are number one. Watermelon is a valuable source of lycopen more
5 responses
• India
3 Dec 08
I love watermelon. They used to be a lot more fun to eat outside before the fireants illegally immigrated to my area. "Watermelon is fat free, nutritionally low in calories and considered an ideal diet food, and is high in energy, making it a great energy boost! Nutrients in watermelon include vitamins A, B6, C!" http://www.bellybytes.com/food/watermelon.html Watermelon spikes your blood sugar levels too much too be an effective aid in dieting. you are correct that exercise is key; but a proper diet helps a whole lot too. it has to do with its "G.I" number. check it out: http://vhidiet.ediets.ie/news/article.cfm?article_id=2016&code=26030 thanks for your useful information..
• United States
3 Dec 08
Oh happy day! I love watermelon! I always thought it had a lot of sugar, so I stayed away from it, but not anymore! I like to cut it up and freeze it. It tastes just like Popsicles!
@hildas (3031)
30 Nov 08
Thanks for sharing all this useful information. It is excellent and I never knew all this before. I eat a lot of water melon because it tastes great and is very refreshing. I knew it must be good for vitamins and things we need, but I was not aware it was good at fighting cancer and diseases.
@uditpanda (1023)
• India
30 Nov 08
Thank you for the information mayank...Watermelons have been my favourite from childhood, especially in summer....But I never knew they are that helpful....I guess they also have high fibre content & low calorie value....which adds to its beneficial effects.
@sachinkr9 (140)
• India
2 Dec 08
Wow great information about water melons so far. One of the point I have to add from side is that water melon is also decease dehydration (water requirement for body) so its best meal for summers