fruits
Many scientific studies have found great benefits for fruits, as they are the source of many natural compounds that provide health and protection benefits to the human body. Citrullus lanatus, which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, is one of these fruits Which found it has many health benefits.
The watermelon originates in the African Kalahari Desert, but is currently cultivated in the tropics. It is believed to have been the first to be cultivated 5000 years ago in Egypt and later spread to other parts of the world. China is currently the world’s first producer of melons, followed by Turkey, The United States, Iran and Korea.
The multiple health benefits of melon are attributed to its antioxidant properties, especially lycopene, ascorbic acid, and citruline. In this article we will talk about the most important benefits of melon for health.
Dietary composition of melons
The following table shows the dietary composition of each 100 g of the melted part of the melon:
| Food ingredient | the value |
|---|---|
| water | 91.45 g |
| energy | 30 calories |
| Protein | 0.61 g |
| Fats | 0.15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7.55 g |
| Dietary fiber | 0.4 g |
| Total sugars | 6.20 g |
| Calcium | 7 mg |
| Iron | 0.24 mg |
| magnesium | 10 mg |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg |
| Potassium | 112 mg |
| Sodium | 1 mg |
| Zinc | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin C | 8.1 mg |
| Thiamine | 0.033 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.021 mg |
| Niacin | 0.178 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.045 mg |
| Folate | 3 micrograms |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.00 μg |
| Vitamin A | 569 universal units, or 28 micrograms |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.05 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0 universal unit |
| Vitamin K | 0.1 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Benefits of melon
Watermelon contains the lycopene compound, which is often associated with tomato and its products, which are often eaten because of the content of this health compound, but it was discovered that watermelon is also a good source of this compound, so every 100 grams of melon contains between 2.30 – 7.20 The watermelon contains a higher percentage of the lycopene found in the tomato by about 40%; the melon contains 4.81 mg / 100 g, while the tomato contains 3.03 mg / 100 g.
Lycopene found in tomatoes is more readily available when exposed to heat, while lycopene in fresh melon is readily available in Lycopene after eating directly. Lycopene-containing foods, especially melon, are functional foods : Functional foods); because of its anti-oxidant properties, Lycopene is responsible for many health benefits of watermelon, which include the following:
- Oxidation Resistance Oxidation and oxidative stress in the body is one of the most important factors responsible for many chronic diseases. The high production of free radicals increases the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, white water or Cataracts, and some kidney diseases. Lycopene works to combat these free radicals and reduce oxidative damage in DNA, lymphocytes, and LDL cholesterol. It reduces the risk of many In addition to lycopene, melon contains other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, which play an important role in oxidative resistance.
- Several studies have found a link between lycopene, which is found in watermelons in good quantities, and reduced the risk of high cholesterol and lipids.
- Cancer treatment Lycopene reduces cancer rates because it resists and fights in many stages and through many mechanisms. Many studies suggest the ability of lycopene to prevent the growth of colorectal cancer and to prevent and fight prostate cancer. They eat watermelons in large quantities that have a five-fold chance of cervical cancer, and lycopene has a role in preventing breast and endometrial cancer.
- Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease: The antioxidant activity of ichopene contributes to its role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, and can contribute to the reduction of high blood cholesterol, which reduces the risk of infection of these diseases, in addition to lycopene contains watermelon Vitamin A, vitamin B6, magnesium and potassium, which are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Scientific research has found that the intake of lycopene in the diet in large quantities contributes to reduce the thickness of the inner layer of blood vessels, thus reducing the risk of Injury of myocardial infarction (in English: Myocardial infarction).
- Lycopene has been shown to play a role in fighting hyperglycemia in cases of diabetes. It also contributes to the reduction of high blood lipids in this disease, which increases the risk of heart disease and contributes to the reduction of many complications of diabetes.
- Reduce the risk of age-related macular degenerative disease.
- Watermelon is a high source of water, so it contributes to moisturizing the body and give it the fluids it needs.