National Watermelon Day (Saturday August 3rd, 2019)
Eating watermelon can bring to mind fond childhood memories of fun summer days, late nights chasing fireflies, family picnics, and more. Lucky for us, August 3rd is National Watermelon Day! Watermelon is a delicious and refreshing fruit that is also good for you. It contains only 46 calories per cup but is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and many healthy plant compounds. Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of eating watermelon and then you can go sink your teeth into some juicy watermelon slices. Read until the end because we’re also going to give you a fantastic watermelon recipe to satisfy your taste buds even further.
1. Helps You Hydrate
Eating foods that have high water content can help keep you hydrated. And bonus, a high water content is one of the reasons why fruits and vegetables help you feel full. Our lovely watermelon is 92% water, meaning you’re going to stay hydrated and feel full.
2. Contains Nutrients and Beneficial Plant Compounds
Out of the fruit family, watermelon is actually one of the lowest in calories with only 46 calories per cup! That’s lower than low-sugar fruits, such as berries. While it may be low in calories, it is packed full of nutrients. Here is a quick overview of watermelon’s most important antioxidants:
Vitamin C – Vitamin c is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage from free radicals.
Carotenoids – Carotenoids are a class of plant compounds that includes alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A.
Lycopene – Lycopene is a type of carotenoid that doesn’t change into vitamin A. It’s a potent antioxidant that gives watermelon its red color and is linked to many health benefits.
Cucurbitacin E – Cucurbitacin E is a plant compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
3. May Improve Heart Health
Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. Several nutrients in watermelon have specific benefits for heart health, including lycopene, citrulline, and others.
4. May Lower Inflammation
Inflammation can be the start to many chronic diseases. But eating watermelon may help lower inflammation, as its rich in the anti-inflammatory antioxidants lycopene and vitamin c.
5. It’s Good for Skin and Hair
Two of the vitamins in watermelon – A and C – are important for skin and hair health. Vitamin C helps your body make collagen, a protein that keeps your skin and hair looking healthy and strong. Vitamin A helps create and repair skin cells, goodbye dry and flaky skin!
So what are you waiting for?! Go sink your teeth into some delicious watermelon slices, knowing that you are doing your body and taste buds some good. Better yet, give this watermelon recipe a try.
Minty Watermelon Frosty
Ingredients
4 cups frozen watermelon
6 mint leaves
1 tbsp. honey (optional, only if watermelon isn’t very sweet)
1 tbsp. lemon juice
Instructions
Cut and slice watermelon into cubes and add to a baking sheet that is covered with parchment paper. Freeze for 1-2 hours or until the watermelon is frozen to preference. Once frozen, add chunks to a blender and blend until smooth. Rinse mint leaves and add to the blender along with the rest of the ingredients and pulse for a couple of seconds. Serve and enjoy!