FOOD
6 benefits of chowing down
watermelon
N
o other fruit shouts summer quite like watermelon.
It could be its refreshing taste or even the burst of
colour that adds vividness to your plate. In fact, there’s
more to tarbooz than just its flavour; it boasts some commanding health benefits, too. As compiled from Huffington Post, Men’s Fitness and Health magazines, grab
more than just a few chunks of this nutritional gem today.
1. Jam-packed with lycopene
Lycopene is thought to act as a super antioxidant, stopping free radicals from damaging your cells and messing
with your immune system. Recent research even suggests that lycopene, typically found in red fruits and vegetables, helps fight heart disease and several types of
cancer. But don’t eat the delish fruit cold. “To retain the
most antioxidants in this delicious superfood, store your
watermelon at room temperature before slicing,” says
nutritionist Cynthia Sass, MPH.
2. Relieves muscle soreness
A Spanish study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food
Chemistry found that drinking watermelon juice or consuming the fruit can truly 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. Watermelon contains a natural substance called citrulline that’s
been tied to improved artery function and lower blood
pressure.
3. Fights depression
Watermelon is a scientifically proven mood booster
and mood elevator because it’s crammed generously
with vitamin B6. Research has confirmed that people
who suffered from chronic depression and anxiety have
lower levels of vitamin B6. The vitamin in fact, acts as
a neurotransmitter by producing serotonin in the body
which leads to the feel-good sensations. “Watermelon
is an excellent source of antioxidants that specifically
protect delicate brain tissue,” says Elizabeth Somer, a
dietitian in Salem, and author of Food & Mood. “Water-
melon helps lower the risk for inflammation associated
with de