Rarely Known, Here are the Contents and Benefits of Watermelon that are Good for the Body

Kapanlagi.com - Watermelon, is a fruit that has many fans. Because this fruit has a lot of water content and has red and yellow colors in its flesh, which looks very fresh especially when consumed in summer. Not only refreshing, it turns out that watermelon has many benefits, even can be used as a remedy for serious illnesses.

Watermelon itself is a type of climbing plant that comes from desert areas in southern Africa. In addition, watermelon is also classified as a type of cucumber and also pumpkin. This is because the shape of watermelon is similar to climbing plants like pumpkin, and it has a lot of water content that is similar to cucumber. So that makes this fruit part of the pumpkin and cucumber family.

Having a lot of vitamins, it's no wonder that this fruit is often consumed. What are the benefits of watermelon for body health? As reported from various sources, let's check it out, KLovers.

1. Watermelon Content

Illustration (credit: Freepik)

Before knowing the benefits of watermelon, it's good for you to know what good contents are found in this fruit. In addition to vitamin C content, there are still many extraordinary nutrients in watermelon. What are these contents? Let's check it out KLovers.

Vitamin C 21%
Vitamin A 18%
Potassium 5%
Magnesium 4%
Vitamin B1 3%
Vitamin B5 3%
Vitamin B6 3%
Beta-carotene
Lycopene
Citrulline
Amino acids

2. Good for Heart Health

The first benefit of watermelon is that it is good for heart health, because watermelon contains a lot of lycopene which is good for heart health. According to research published by the American Journal of Hypertension, high levels of lycopene in watermelon actively protect cells from damage and help reduce the risk of heart disease.

In addition, lycopene in watermelon can also protect the body from bad cholesterol. Lycopene is one type of antioxidant that can prevent damage to the body and cells caused by free radicals. That's why watermelon can maintain heart health well.

3. Impotence

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Another benefit of watermelon is that it can prevent and treat impotence. In a study that has been conducted, it has been proven that watermelon can be a natural aphrodisiac for a man.

According to Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A and M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center in College Station, if a man consumes watermelon, it will have the same effect as taking Viagra.

Viagra is a potent drug that can treat erectile dysfunction or impotence in adult men. But unlike drugs, the advantage of watermelon is that if consumed excessively, it will not have side effects compared to taking medication.

4. Cancer Prevention

Not only does watermelon function for heart health, it turns out that watermelon can also prevent the risk of cancer, KLovers. In a study conducted by Dr. Laura Bowers, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, United States, it is shown that lower insulin-like growth factor (IGF) is important for treating cancer.

And the benefit of watermelon itself is to lower insulin or IGF. Not only that, the content of lycopene in watermelon has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of cancer, such as breast, prostate, colon, lung, and endometrial cancer. And the anti-tumor properties of cucurbitacin E and the impact of lycopene in watermelon can make watermelon a good cancer preventive fruit.

5. Overcoming Bloated Stomach

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Having a bloated stomach can be very disturbing for appearance. Not only that, in fact, a bloated stomach is also a sign that the body is in an unhealthy condition, KLovers. To overcome this, you can actually use the benefits of watermelon.

This is because watermelon contains amino acids that can overcome excess fat in the body. Watermelon can easily dissolve fats in the body and improve digestion. That's why watermelon can cleanse the stomach from bad fats. And watermelon is also good to consume for someone who is on a diet.

6. Overcoming Kidney Stones

Having a high potassium content, watermelon can greatly help in cleaning up toxin deposits in the kidneys. Not only that, watermelon can also reduce the concentration of uric acid in the blood, thus reducing the risk of kidney damage and kidney stone formation.

The antioxidants in watermelon can also protect the kidneys from foreign substances that can damage our kidneys. And the high water content in watermelon can also encourage us to urinate, thus cleansing the kidneys and making them healthy.

7. Good Food for Diabetes Patients

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Next, the benefit of watermelon is to control diabetes. Despite its sweet taste, it turns out that watermelon is good food for diabetes patients. When you consume watermelon, it can regulate glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, due to the content of L-arginine supplementation.

This can certainly control diabetes in the body because any food containing L-arginine supplementation is usually only found in foods that are beneficial for diets. Or for those who are leading a healthy lifestyle, as it can be designed to fight diabetes in the body.

8. Regulating Blood Pressure

Not only good for diabetes patients, but watermelon is also very good for consumption for those who have hypertension. A study published by The American Journal of Hypertension states that the benefits of watermelon can lower blood pressure in overweight people with hypertension.

Then, the potassium and magnesium content found in watermelon can also be beneficial in lowering blood pressure. Potassium is considered a vasodilator, which means it releases tension in blood vessels and arteries, thus stimulating blood flow and reducing stress on the cardiovascular system. This can also help reduce blood pressure and the risk of blood clotting, stroke, heart attack, and atherosclerosis.

9. Reducing Cholesterol Risk

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Cholesterol is indeed one important thing for your body. This is because cholesterol is needed as a basic material for the formation of important elements in the body, such as cell formation, hormones, bile formation, and body protection. However, too much cholesterol is also not good for your health, KLovers.

Because it can cause high levels of bad cholesterol and lead to cholesterol-related diseases and heart problems. And to reduce cholesterol levels, you can use the benefits of watermelon. This is because watermelon contains vitamin C, carotenoids, and potassium which can reduce cholesterol risk and the risk of heart attacks.

10. Reducing Preeclampsia Risk

Preeclampsia is a potentially dangerous complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure has been normal. This can cause serious, even fatal, complications for both the mother and the baby.

Preeclampsia can easily lead to premature birth with several other health complications. Preeclampsia can occur not only in early pregnancy but also in pregnant women who have entered the third trimester. Of course, this preeclampsia disorder is very dangerous for pregnant women.

But don't worry KLovers, it turns out this can be prevented by consuming watermelon. This is because watermelon has a very high content of lycopene. For those who don't know, lycopene significantly reduces the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women. Preeclampsia is characterized by increased blood pressure in the mother and excessive protein levels in the urine.

11. Reducing Muscle Pain

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Muscle pain can be experienced by anyone, but you can overcome muscle pain in the body by using the benefits of watermelon. According to a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry in 2013, for athletes, drinking watermelon juice before intense exercise helps reduce muscle pain and heart rate the next day. This is also related to the content of amino acids, citrulline, and arginine which help improve blood vessel circulation.

In addition, as reported by liputan6.com, a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology in 2015 stated that citrulline in watermelon can also help athletes' performance. Study participants who used citrulline supplements experienced improved performance and had more energy after cycling or running.

12. Preventing Dehydration

Another benefit of watermelon is that it prevents dehydration. Many people know that watermelon can prevent dehydration because it contains a lot of water. It's no wonder that during hot weather or dry season in Indonesia, watermelon becomes the main choice for consumption. Not only that, its red and yellow color can make watermelon very appetizing and refreshing to eat.

13. Boosting Immune System

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Not only refreshing, it turns out that watermelon can also boost the immune system, KLovers. In ripe watermelon, there are many antioxidants called glutathione. And this content functions to strengthen the immune system so that it can fight against harmful virus or bacteria infections.

Not only that, the vitamin C content in watermelon can also be a source of vitamins in improving the immune system. So, to get a healthy and strong body, you can use the benefits of watermelon, KLovers.

14. Maintaining Skin and Hair Beauty

And the last benefit of watermelon is that it can maintain the beauty of the skin and hair. Not only can it provide nutrition for the body's health, but watermelon can also provide nutrition for the beauty of the skin and hair.

That's because watermelon contains high levels of vitamin A, and this vitamin is very good for the skin. According to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, United States, as reported by liputan6.com, vitamin A can help maintain moist skin and hair.

In addition, the vitamin A content in watermelon can also promote the growth of healthy collagen and elastin cells. Not only that, the vitamin C content in watermelon is also beneficial for supporting the growth of healthy hair collagen.

Those are some of the benefits of watermelon and the extraordinary content that we can obtain by consuming it regularly. It not only provides health to the body, but also brings beauty to your face and hair.

(kpl/dhm)