To Eat or Not to Eat Watermelon Every Day

Watermelon is believed to have originated in southern Africa, where it is found growing wild. There are 1,200 types of watermelon grown in 100 countries across the globe.

The refreshing qualities of watermelon have been known throughout the centuries but with the development of science much has been uncovered about the health benefits of this moderately sweet fruit.

Photo: White Magnolia Photography

TO EAT

• Watermelon is packed with vitamins such as A, C, B1, B2, B3,B5 B9, E, D. It also contains minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, fluoride, selenium.
• Watermelon has anti-cancer qualities. It is rich in antioxidants such as lycopene which contains twice the amount found in tomatoes. Combined with the vitamins C, A, it fights breast cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, lung cancer.
• Watermelon helps maintain a healthy heart because it is rich in antioxidants such as lycopene, which works to fight free radical compounds and protects the vessels and arteries from hardening.
• Watermelon contains some substances that can help extend blood vessels and lower high blood pressure.
• It also functions as a diuretic that can make people produce more urine so as to remove more wastes from the body. As a result, watermelon is able to ease patients’ swelling and kidney inflammation to some extent.
• Use watermelon to detoxify your liver. Start a watermelon diet, eating only rye bread and watermelon for 3-4 days.
• The great amount of vitamins contained in watermelon plays an important role in the treatment of various inflammations. 
• Eating watermelon helps in reducing weight as 100 g contains only 30 calories.
• Watermelon also helps regulate blood sugar levels, and is thus recommended for diabetics.

NOT TO EAT

• The excessive amount of lycopene in watermelons causes indigestion, gas formation, nausea and vomiting. That is why there is a limit in consuming watermelon especially for the elderly people whose intestinal tract is weaker and the symptoms are more exaggerated than normal.
• The high potassium levels in watermelons can lead to complexities of the heart and the nervous system. Too much of potassium can mess with the normal heart beats, weak or absent pulse and can lead to heart attack. 
• It can also lead to damage of kidneys and control of motor nerves. People suffering from the kidney problems must refrain from eating too many watermelons as it can seriously cause internal damage. 
• Many people may have allergy to watermelons and eating them can trigger various allergic reactions in the body like rashes, itching, sneezing etc. obviously then watermelons are a strict no-no for them. 
• Too many watermelons increase the levels of nitric oxide which has a relaxing effect on the body. It may also decrease the blood pressure and in many cases this may be harmful as too much decrease in the blood pressure may cause the internal arteries to be damaged. 
• Too many watermelons can decrease the blood sugar levels and ultimately damage the kidneys as decrease in blood sugar triggers the production of insulin which may hamper the kidneys.

As it is in all fields of life everything is good when used in moderation. I love eating a cold watermelon in the summer heat but one should always think of not going over the limit. In any case, you should consider that eating up to 2 kg (4,4 lb) is accepted as normal, so don't get too paranoid about this wonderful vitamin-powered fruit and enjoy it!

Now let me know, do you like watermelon and how do you prefer it?