Watermelon: a summer fruit filled with antioxidants
Is there anything that reminds us more of summer than a juicy watermelon? I vividly remember sinking my teeth into a cold slice while the fan was on during those balmy summer evenings when nothing could be more refreshing. It’s not a secret that with its high water content watermelon is the perfect fruit to quench the thirst during the summer when we tend to perspire more hence losing more minerals.
Watermelon is the ultimate summer fruit. Crunchy and sweet it is perfect to quench the thirst and it’s packed with many nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants. So it’s one more fruit to add to the list of foods to eat to protect your skin during the summer months.
Refreshing and packed with antioxidants watermelon is the perfect summer fruit.
Native to the northern african regions watermelon has been around for over 4000 years. Being almost all water (around 92%) it is very much praised for its hydration properties, and, like most water-rich fruits, it is also perfect for weight management.
Beyond its hydrating properties there are so many reasons to indulge in this crunchy fruit, or vegetable, as it technically falls in both categories: its loaded with minerals, vitamins and skin-protective antioxidants, and, despite what we might think, it has less sugar than apples and blueberries and more lycopene than tomatoes.
When it comes to vitamins and minerals just one cup of watermelon has 15% of the recommended daily intake (RDA) of Vitamin C, but also electrolytes like potassium and magnesium which help the nervous system, B6 and Vitamin A, a vitamin critical for skin and eye health.
Watermelon also contains more lycopene, a very powerful carotenoid, than tomatoes. Lycopene is one of the strongest allies against oxidative stress, particularly during the summer when the sun rays are very strong and we need to take extra care of our skin.
It also has a unique amino acid, called citrulline, that helps with muscle soreness and increases endurance. In fact, by increasing oxide levels, citrulline expands blood vessels, which in turn lowers blood pressure increasing stamina.
The combination of water and antioxidants can help us flush out toxins, keep the skin hydrated and supple and prevent flakiness, while also reducing inflammation. And if you gulp down some of the seeds don’t worry, as they are loaded with magnesium and folate which have mood boosting properties.
As we have seen, indulging in watermelon may not only be a delicious idea, but it also has many benefits and not as much sugar as we might think. It’s also very versatile and it pairs well with both sweet and savory ingredients: I like to serve it with some feta, basil and olive oil as a salad or add some mint, lime juice and zest as a dessert.
And in case you are on-the-go, strolling around town or at the beach, you can carry with you Cure electrolyte solution which also comes in a delicious watermelon flavor.
Try it and let us know what you think!
