Last updated on May 13th, 2020 at 06:57 am
Watermelon tops the chart of all summer fruits due to their incredible skin, health and hair benefits. Watermelons are easily available in the markets throughout the year but in the summer, they taste the best. You can eat the flesh or make juice of it – either way watermelons are the best option when you need respite from the scorching heat. Summer is the time of juices and you cannot deny yourself a glass of freshly made watermelon juice if you want to beat the heat with taste!
Earlier it was believed that watermelon is nothing but a lump of water and sugar but clearly, that’s not the case. It is a nutrient dense fruit that provides us with several of our much-needed vitamins and minerals along with a small amount of calories. Recently, watermelon has been associated with reduced risk of heart diseases, cancer and obesity. Not only health benefits but also skin and hair benefits are associated with watermelon. It is advantageous when it comes to removing acne, wrinkles, excess oil or when it comes to promoting hair growth and preventing hair fall.
Eating the raw fruit or drinking freshly watermelon juice – both is incredibly beneficial for health, skin and hair. The anti-inflammatory property of watermelons reduces stress, exfoliates skin and slows down ageing process. Today in this post, I will be talking about the 17 watermelon juice benefits for health, skin and hair.
Low in calories and high in vitamins
Even though watermelons are easily available in across the year, it’s basically a summer fruit for it contains plenty of water. Apart from high water contents, watermelons are loaded with nutrients, dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins. According to nutrition data published here, one cup of diced watermelons (approximately 152 grams) contains the following vital nutrients:
- 6 calories (2% of DV)
- 6mg of dietary fiber (2% of DV)
- 9gm of Protein (2% of DV)
- 856IU of Vitamin A (17% of DV)
- 3mg of Vitamin C (21% of DV)
- 1mg of Vitamin B1 or Thiamine (3% of DV)
- 1mg of Vitamin B6 (3% of DV)
- 6mg of Calcium (1% of DV)
- 2mg of Magnesium (4% of DV)
- 170mg of Potassium (5% of DV)
- 1mg of Copper (3% of DV)
- 1mg of Manganese (3% of DV)
- 76 mg of Omega-6 fatty acids
- 139gms of Water
Please note that the percent daily value (% of DV) is for children aged 4 or above and adults. They are based on a 2000 calories based diet and your daily values may be lower or higher depending on your personal requirements.
Watermelon juice benefits for health
Watermelon is very low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. It is a very good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C and a good source of Potassium. A bulk of watermelons weight is water, which makes it so refreshing during the summer months. Prepare yourself a fresh glass of watermelon juice and keep sipping while reading this post.
Listed below are the top 17 watermelon juice benefits for health:
Keeps heart healthy
Lycopene, an antioxidant that gives the watermelons its rich red carmine color is responsible for eliminating free radicals from our body hence reducing oxidative stress and keeping the heart healthy. According to this study, people who consume lycopene rich foods regularly have a reduced chance of heart diseases. As per another study, Potassium and Magnesium in watermelon or watermelon juice are also helpful in bringing down elevated levels of blood pressure, therefore lowering the risks of heart diseases and strokes. Deficiency of potassium and magnesium leads to high blood pressure. Consuming proper quantities of these two nutrients ensure comprehensive decline in cardiovascular mortality rate.
Prevents kidney stones
Drinking watermelon juice cleanses your kidneys as it flushes out the uric acid and ammonia, which are, known to cause kidney stones. The potassium in watermelon, removes the toxins and wastes from the kidneys to keep them healthy and in optimal working conditions. When too many toxins are present in the bloodstream, they accumulate in the kidneys causing kidney stones. Watermelon being a natural diuretic increases urine production and gets rid of the excess uric acid and wastes. If you are juicing the watermelons for cleansing the kidney, keep the seeds intact as they have a profound positive effect on your kidneys.
Mitigates muscle pain
As per this study, the amino acid I-citrulline is effectual in reducing soreness and muscle pain. In one study, when athletes were provided with watermelon juice for 24 hours, they experienced less soreness, reduced muscle pain and enhanced heart rate. Additionally, the Vitamin C in watermelon is beneficial for safeguarding cartilage and bones, mending ligaments and tendons and speeding up healing wounds and scar tissues. The potassium in watermelon keeps muscle cramping at bay. Replace your energy drinks with watermelon juice to avoid the synthetic vitamins and minerals added in them.
Improves immune system
Researchers claim, watermelon contains citrulline that is metabolized into our body and converted into arginine. Arginine is an essential amino acid, which is used to synthesize nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is vital to maintain a healthy immune system. As a superb source of Vitamin C, watermelon or watermelon juice improves our immune system and abbreviate the duration of sickness while keeping heart diseases and cancer away. If you are experiencing a weakened immune system, drinking watermelon juice will revive its vitality.
Good for eyes
The beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Zeaxanthin and Lutein present in watermelon enhances your eyesight. Watermelon is especially a superb source of Vitamin A, a deficiency of which leads to macular degeneration. The beta-carotene in watermelon juice, which is good for your eyes, will keep age-related blindness at bay.
Useful for weight loss
The amino acid citrulline in watermelon, which is converted into arginine in our body, is useful for weight loss. They interfere with the accumulation of fat cells in the body. Citrullin inhibits the activity of enzyme TNAP that is associated with fat storage.
Boosts blood flow
Watermelon is a good source of Potassium, which is a vasodilator. It relaxes the blood vessels and boosts blood flow. This has positive effect on the overall cardiovascular system, quickens the pace of muscle recovery and provides you with more energy. Citrulline is also believed to play a role in improving blood flow.
Watermelon juice benefits for skin
Watermelon contains a number of vital vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin C which is good for good skin. Apart from the vital vitamins, it contains plenty of water that keeps you hydrated for long and all the properties make it the best for good skin. Listed below are watermelon juice benefits for skin.
Natural toner
Watermelon juice is a natural toner. The red juice has an astringent property, which shrinks the body tissues and notably ameliorates the appearance of the skin. The mildly acidic quality of the watermelon juice helps you achieve a glowing skin. Applying watermelon juice keeps your face hydrated during the summertime heat. Here’s how you can use watermelon juice as a natural skin toner.
Cleanse your face and apply watermelon juice on it with a cotton ball. Let it dry and then rinse it off. You may also add honey to the juice to make it more effective.
Stops skin ageing
The free radicals not only affect our internal health but also our skin. The Vitamin C and Vitamin A also protects the skin from oxidative damage. Applying watermelon juice will rejuvenate and revitalize your skin. Here’s how you can use watermelon juice to make your skin look youthful.
Mix a spoonful of watermelon juice and mashed avocado each and apply this paste on your face and neck. Keep it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with cool water.
Prevents oily skin
When the sebaceous glands secrete excess oil, our skin becomes oily and very hard to cleanse. The Vitamin A in watermelon juice reduces the size of skin pores and cuts down on the oil your skin produces. Less oil secretion means less clogged pores and finally less pimples and acne. Here’s how you can use watermelon juice to prevent excess oil production.
Mix one spoonful of watermelon juice and mashed banana each and apply this paste on your face and neck. Keep it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with tepid water.
Lightens skin tone
Regular application of watermelon juice removes the tan from your skin and brings out the natural tone of your skin. Since watermelon juice provides good hydration for your skin, it also boosts collagen production, which is necessary for a healthy and lightened skin. Here’s how you can use watermelon juice to lighten skin tone.
You can drink it or apply it with a cotton ball on your face to lighten your skin tone. Keep it on until it dries and then rinse it off with cool water.
Exfoliation
Watermelon contains malic acid, which makes it a good exfoliant. Watermelon juice effectively removes dead skin cells and restores the original glow of the skin. Here’s how you can use watermelon juice for exfoliation.
Mix watermelon juice with gram flour and apply it on your face. Keep it on for 15-20 minutes and the wash it off.
Prevents blisters
Blisters and plumps are a common enough problem these days. Applying a bit of watermelon juice before going to bed ensures no occurrence of blisters whatsoever. If you have skin rashes or cracked lips, watermelon juice works wonders for them too.
Prevents UV damage
The lycopene in watermelon provides protection against UV rays of the sun. Protection against the harmful sunrays means protection against diseases like skin cancer or wrinkles. Drinking a glass of watermelon juice before heading out is a good way to boost your anti-oxidant levels, while being shielded from the ultraviolet rays.
Watermelon juice benefits for hair
Drinking freshly made watermelon juice can be seriously good for hair growth. As you know, watermelon are known to ease blood circulation, it can be seriously beneficial for your hair and skin. It also contains a essential B-complex vitamins that strengthens the hair. Listed below are the key watermelon juice benefits for hair.
Boosts hair growth
The amino acid citrulline, which is converted into arginine in our body, is a precursor to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide signals the blood vessels to relax, which allows increased blood flow and better circulation of nutrients and oxygen through our muscle and organs. This means, our hair follicles are more relaxed and that our hair bulbs are getting more blood flow boosting our hair growth. The other essential B-complex vitamins in watermelon also contribute to hair thickening and hair strength. Here’s how you can use watermelon juice to boost hair growth.
Mix watermelon juice and mayonnaise in 1:1 ratio and apply this on your hair, providing special attention to the hair roots. Leave it on for about half an hour and then wash it off with a mild shampoo.
Averts hair loss
Watermelon contains anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants that enhances blood circulation to the scalp and keeps the moisture locked in without being greasy. As the blood flow to the scalp increases, hair fall reduces. Moreover, the fatty acids increase elasticity of your hair shaft, thereby decreasing the amount of hair breakage. The Vitamin C in watermelon encourages your body to use the non-heme iron to guarantee that there is abundant iron in the RBCs (red blood cells) to carry oxygen to the hair follicles. Here’s how you can use watermelon juice to avert hair fall.
Mix one cup of yogurt with three spoonfuls of organic watermelon seed oil, three spoonfuls of watermelon juice and three spoonfuls of lemon juice. Apply the mixture on recently washed hair. Put on a shower cap and keep it on for about an hour. Then wash it off with mild shampoo.
Hair moisturizer
Did you know that watermelon juice can be used a moisturizer? We yes, you can Use watermelon juice as an after-rinse to get soft and lustrous hair. Watermelon is packed with water and drinking fresh watermelon juice hydrates your hair from inside out.
Over to you
As you can see, watermelon juice is beneficial for keeping your heart healthy, good for eyes, preventing kidney stones, muscle plain, boosts blood flow, improves immune system and supports weight loss. In terms of skin, watermelon juice acts as a natural toner, exfoliant, stops skin ageing, lightens skin tone and prevents oily skin, blisters and damage from UV rays. It also promotes hair growth, reduces hair loss and moisturizes hair naturally. The vital nutrients present in watermelon makes it such a great fruit, especially during the summer months when the heat is unbearable.
There’s nothing comparable to a glass of fresh watermelon juice but do moderate your intake of raw watermelon or watermelon juice due to their high sugar content. There’s a risk of watermelon spiking the blood sugar level. It would do well for you to avoid watermelon if you are insulin resistant or diabetic. Except these, watermelon is quite healthy and raises no other health concerns.
Try to buy heavier watermelons, since they tend to be more succulent. Look for organic watermelons to avoid the synthetic additives.
This is one summer fruit that you cannot miss! Have you tried watermelon juice yet? If not make a glass for yourself right away and experience its benefits first hand.
Until then stay healthy, look gorgeous!
