The Best Fruit to Eat During Summer
By
Natalie Moore
Posted July 23, 2016
- Discover why watermelon beats tomatoes when it comes to this heart-protecting antioxidant
- Trade aspirin for watermelon? Learn how watermelon can relieve your pain
- Go too hard in the gym? No problem. Find out how this fruit’s special amino acid will help rejuvenate your muscles.
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
“It’s summer. You should have watermelon with every meal — it’ll keep you healthy.”
My grandma would tell me this every summer. And it was something she lived by. In fact, there wasn’t a single summer day she didn’t eat at least three servings of watermelon.
And guess what? She was always the healthiest person I knew!
As it turns out, her watermelon habits may have helped her stay healthy and active for over 90 years.
You might be thinking, No way! Watermelon is nothing but sugar and water — it can’t possibly have any health benefits…
Well, if you’re thinking this…
You’re wrong.
Research shows that watermelon offers a whole host of health-promoting properties, some of which we will share with you today.
Protection Against Heart Disease and Cancer
Watermelon is extremely rich in the antioxidant lycopene. In fact, one cup of watermelon has 1.5 times the amount of lycopene found in a large, fresh tomato. Multiple studies have shown lycopene to be heart-protective.
A study in the American Journal of Hypertension found that watermelon extract can improve artery functions. Plus, it can reduce blood pressure in middle-aged, obese adults who are already suffering from Stage 1 hypertension. Scientists think these results may be linked to watermelon’s high lycopene content.
Other studies show that lycopene can also protect you from stroke. In one study, men with the highest blood levels of lycopene were 55 percent less likely to suffer a stroke than those who had the lowest levels. These amazing results held true even after researchers controlled for age, diabetes and other stroke factors.
In addition, many studies in both animals and humans have found that lycopene may protect against cancer, including prostate and ovarian cancer. Not to mention watermelon’s high level of another powerful antioxidant, vitamin C, may also add a layer of protection between you and cancer.
Cools Inflammation
Watermelon contains a powerful anti-inflammatory substance called cucurbitacin E., a type of triterpenoid. This inflammation-buster can reduce the activity of an enzyme that causes pain and inflammation. In fact, cucurbitacin works the same way as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen.
Watermelon also contains a versatile and vital nutrient called choline. Choline helps body reduced inflammation and aids in many important functions like sleep, learning and memory, as well as muscle movement.
Relives Muscle Soreness
If you’re getting your summer workout on, you’re going to want to pick up a watermelon! Watermelon contains l-citrulline, which is an amino acid that can shield against muscle pain. Eating the whole fruit or drinking watermelon juice after working out may lead to improved recovery time and reduced muscle soreness.
One note of caution here: Whole-fruit watermelon is lower in sugar than watermelon juice. If you are cautious of sugar (as you should be), eating the fruit is a better option.
However you slice it (or juice it), watermelon makes a great healthy snack or addition to any meal! You can get your hands on a watermelon at most grocers, as well as farmers markets and roadside produce stands. Get one today! And remember, choose organic when you can.
(And sprinkle with some unrefined sea salt- its good!)
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Sources
[1] Watermelon: Health Benefits and Nutritional Information
[2] 6 Things You Didn’t Know About Watermelon
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Common Vitamin Protects Your Pancreas
You’ve probably heard about vitamin B12 for its role in keeping your blood and nerves healthy. But could it also be the key to protecting your pancreas? New research from Sichuan University in China suggests that this unassuming B vitamin might have even more benefits than we thought—helping to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis,...
The Fiber That May Mimic Ozempic?
Recently, Ozempic has gained fame as a weight loss drug that works by controlling blood sugar and reducing cravings. But what if a natural solution could offer similar benefits—without the potential side effects or costs associated with GLP-1 medications? According to new research, a type of dietary fiber could help with weight loss and blood...
The TRUE Cost of Daytime Sleepiness
Are you struggling to keep your eyes open as you read this? If so, you’re not alone. A shocking new survey reveals that America is in the grip of a full-blown sleep crisis. And it’s costing us more than just a few yawns… The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) dropped a bombshell on our...
Giving Thanks and Sharing Traditions
Happy Thanksgiving! As we celebrate this season of gratitude, I want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our community at Living Well Daily. I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with warmth, joy, and cherished moments with family and friends. Holiday meals like today don’t just fill our bellies. They feed...
My Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet: Stay Healthy & Satisfied
Thanksgiving is nearly here, and while it’s a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy delicious food, we all know the feeling that often follows—a little too much of everything. From blood sugar spikes and bloating to the dreaded holiday weight gain, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed by all the indulgent options....
Natural Restless Legs Solutions Deliver Better Sleep
“Is there anything to help restless legs so I can sleep?” – RestLESS Hi RestLess, Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a chronic neurological disorder. It triggers an uncontrollable urge to move your legs. Folks who battle RLS often describe it as an aching, tingly, or crawling sensation. Symptoms frequently worsen when you’re resting. RLS can...
The Dieting Mistake That’s Harming Your Health
You don’t need me to tell you that being overweight has health consequences. But if you jump from one diet to another in pursuit of weight loss… well, you should rethink that tactic. A new report suggests that this common practice—yo-yo dieting—could harm your health. In fact, it could be doing FAR more harm than...
“Time Travel” Technique Predicts Dementia 20 Years EARLY?
Did you ever watch those old time-travel movies when you were a kid? I sure did—and I loved to daydream about being able to see the future. Well, now a new international study may have just uncovered a way for us to experience something similar. It’s probably not quite how you imagined it as a...
Are Your Ears Giving You a Hidden Warning?
Do you struggle to follow conversations in crowded restaurants? Or do you find yourself repeatedly asking, “What?” at big family gatherings like Thanksgiving? Most people brush this off as a normal part of aging. But groundbreaking research suggests this common problem could be an early WARNING SIGN of something far more serious… A massive study...
Liver Brain Link Will Have You Rethinking Memory Loss
Here’s something that might surprise you… Your liver could be secretly sabotaging your brain health. We know that what happens in the liver doesn’t always stay in the liver. But now, groundbreaking research reveals just how deeply this vital organ’s health is connected to a critical aspect of aging… your memory and thinking skills. Scientists...