I Knew It Was Good, but I Didn’t Know It Was Also Good for You

health related issues, lessons learned, Teaching and Education 1 Minute

It usually happens every summer.

I get obsessed with watermelon, and it just kicked in again this past week.

It is my favorite fruit, and it just seems to go hand in hand with summer, like Mungo Jerry.

But little did I know how good it was for your health.

Here are nine benefits of eating watermelon, according to an article by Kerri-Ann Jennings from HealthLine:

  1. Helps You Hydrate – watermelon is 92% water; no wonder it’s only 46 calories per cup
  2. Contains Nutrients and Beneficial Plant Compounds = there are many vitamins and minerals in watermelon, including vitamin C, carotenoids, lycopene, cucurbitacin E, and citrulline. Except for Vitamin C, I don’t know what any of those are, but I’ll take Kerri’s word that they are good for me.
  3. Contains Compounds That May Help Prevent Cancer – I guess this is where lycopene and cucurbitacin E comes in handy…
  4. May Improve Heart Health – once again, lycopene to the rescue, along with citrulline, vitamins A, B6, C, and minerals magnesium and potassium all help to keep your heart healthy.
  5. May Lower Inflammation and Oxidative Stress –  lycopene and vitamin C are what provide this benefit. This lycopene sounds like a miracle antioxidant…
  6. May Help Prevent Macular Degeneration – if you guessed because of lycopene, you would be right.
  7. May Help Relieve Muscle Soreness – finally, lycopene lets someone else do some work; this time it’s citrulline.
  8. Is Good for Skin and Hair – Vitamins A and C are important for skin and hair health. In addition, lycopene and beta-carotene may also help protect your skin from sunburn.
  9. Can Improve Digestion – Watermelon contains lots of water and a small amount of fiber — both of which are important for healthy digestion.

And I would add a tenth benefit.

10. Watermelon is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth. When I am looking for something sweet to eat after dinner, watermelon satisfies that craving.

I wonder if lycopene has something to do with that also…

 

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

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68 thoughts on “I Knew It Was Good, but I Didn’t Know It Was Also Good for You”

  7. There’s a whole host of people out there who will caution you about watermelon’s high glycemic index and how bad it is for you. I love it. But I love sour patch kids too, and I suppose they also have a high GI. I’m in agreement with you, anything that’s mostly water and loaded with nutrients can’t be too bad, especially on a hot summer day.

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  10. I’m a big fan of most fruits, and I usually love sweets, but watermelon just doesn’t do it for me. I’m glad you like it, JIm.

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  13. it had no idea it had so many health benefits, and I wish I loved it more. one bonus gift your post has given me is an idea for a summer blog. many thanks to you Jim and watermelon, both.

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    1. Hahaha! I watched the next clip after that, which was equally funny. “How long have you been doing this?”
      “Since last night.” 🤣

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      1. I was watching the game live when he first did this, and the commentators loved it. He made further appearances at games, and the camera always found him.

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      3. He had his moment. They found him again the following season too, but it’s been disrupted by Covid since then. Hopefully he can make a return, perhaps with different fruit next time.

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      5. They don’t do stunts like that – we keep it professional!

        For the Big Bash League, which this is from, the Aussies have done away with the coin toss to decide who chooses to bat first, and have a ‘bat flip’ instead, as it is a better visual for tv than having a bunch of people trying to find a coin on the ground. He could do that, if he hasn’t already.

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      1. I don’t think I could, either! If you watch the next video, as Pete says, you’ll see why he was there. I’m sure he likes cricket too, though 😊

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  18. Although watermelon has many health benefits it is one of my least favourite fruits too sweet for me..if you lived closer you could enjoy as much watermelon as you liked…Enjoy the season, Jim 🙂 x

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      1. Yep… Most of the year… I just pickle the rind and end up composting the rest as none of us really like watermelon… Hubby eats some and doesn’t mind the occassional smoothie…

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