We all know it is important to eat our fruits and vegetables. But are some better than others? The reality is that every fruit and vegetable serves a different purpose. Some fruits and vegetables are ideal candidates for different treatments over others. So, what is watermelon good for? We all know it tastes like it should be bad for us. There was even a time period in which people stopped eating it as much based on it’s sugar content. It was that age old saying “something that tastes this good must be bad for you”. Well I am here to tell you that you don’t need to feel guilty about giving your kids this delicious treat and why you should keep some for your plate too.
Pros & Cons
Over the years people’s stance on watermelon has been a constant back and forth. Watermelon is and has always been our friend. It has an extremely high water content of about 92% making it one of the best ways to eat our water. For those of us unaware a great way to ensure we stay hydrated is by consuming foods high in water content and watermelon is leading the pack on water content. Not only does it contain high amounts of water it also contains potassium and magnesium which are essential for rebalancing our electrolytes. Here’s the thing when the temperature goes up our bodies sweat to naturally cool us off. Sweat, however, is not composed of just water. Meaning we need more than just water put back into our systems. Potassium even helps prevent dehydration and cramping that can occur from depletion after excessive sweating.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Fruit
Watermelon does more than just keep us hydrated. It is high in lycopene which promotes good bone and heart health, while also acting as a powerful antioxidant. Watermelon is high in beta-carotene which aids in eye and skin health. It is high in phenolic which has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Watermelon contains high levels of Vitamin A, which promotes eye health, strengthens immune system, aids in growth and development, improving reproductive health, and increases production of red blood cells, skin, and bone formation. It has high amounts of Vitamin C that make it a great addition to improve our immune systems and slow down the effects of aging.
Keep The Good News Coming!
Watermelon contains high amounts of Vitamin B6 and B1, which increase energy levels, promote normal nerve function, help us breakdown proteins, reduce memory loss and confusion by replenishing our thiamine levels. Thiamine is reduced when drinking alcohol which leads to hangovers making watermelon the best option to treat and prevent hangovers this summer! It also contains citrulline acid which converts to arginine. Arginine is needed to promote blood flow, improve heart health, and aid in erectile dysfunction.
Get Some Now!
Adding watermelon into our daily nutrition is extremely easy due to the fact that it tastes amazing. There are tons of great recipes out there that use watermelon. Here is one of my summer favorites.
Watermelon Peach Smoothie
Gluten Free Vegan Serves 2
- 1 Ripe Peach Cut and Frozen
- 3 C Watermelon Cubed and Frozen
- 1 Coconut Bia Water
- 6 Mint Leaves
- 1 tsp Lime Juice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients into a blender. Mix until desired texture has been reached. For added convenience put all fruit in a freezer friendly bag and for future use. If you are looking to create an alcohol version I would suggest vanilla flavored vodka! Enjoy safely and have an amazing summer.
Need a Helping Hand?
A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. Our health is something that we all have to deal with daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day then you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as just acting as a sounding board. Do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!