Is watermelon really healthy or not, ever wondered? There are a lot of benefits, but also risk of eating too much of it. Check out!
Watermelon is a known antioxidant and fat-free fruit, extremely refreshing and tasty. As you all know, it contains more than 90% water, a lot of vitamins, amino acids, lycopene and potassium. That’s why all diets suggest eating watermelon whenever you want to eat something sweet and refreshing. Although these benefits sound perfect, there are also some health risks in eating a significant amount watermelon. In fact, let’s look closely and compare the benefits and the risks.
Is watermelon really healthy or not?
Watermelon benefits
One of the major benefits of watermelons is that they contain high level of lycopene. This phytonutrient triggers healthy body reactions, preserves heart health, protects the bones and prevents prostate cancer. The amino acids found in watermelons are good for your cardiovascular health: better blood flow and circulation. And the vitamins C, B6 and A… well, vitamins are always welcomed.
To sum up, watermelon is good for your heart, bones, prostate, blood flow, inflammatory processes, hydration, skin and hair, digestion… Wow, seems pretty straightforward, right? Watermelon is the best? Well… don’t hold your breath. Check the risk factors of eating too much watermelon.
Watermelon risk factors
Excessive watermelon consumption leads to diarrhea, bloating, nausea and indigestion. This is due to high level of lycopene intake in your blood. This means people with a sensitive stomach should avoid eating watermelon often. The high level of potassium causes irregular heartbeats and a lot more cardiovascular problems. So, people with hyperkalemia should also stay away from watermelon. When it comes to diabetics, they should be careful when eating watermelon because, although the sugar is natural, it is sugar after all.
To reinstate, if you have a sensitive stomach, cardiovascular problems, hyperkalemia or diabetes, forget about excessive watermelon consumption. You could try some from time to time, but never overeat it unless you are asking for trouble.
You now have the benefits and risks at your disposal. What would you do?