Are you looking for a refreshing and hydrating fruit you can eat in the summer? Nothing beats the taste of a crispy, juicy, refreshing watermelon slice. It helps eliminate the scorching summer heat and also has certain benefits for the human body. But do you know that many people like eating watermelon at night? Such people often question whether this is the right thing to do. What if we were to tell you that the benefits of eating watermelon at night (or any other time) are numerous? This juicy, crispy, and refreshing summertime favorite will satisfy your taste buds and offers numerous nutritional benefits.
Like many other fruits, watermelon is a powerhouse of nutrients, and these nutrients work together to provide potential health benefits. Watermelon nutrients include vitamins A and C (9). These nutrients also work together to support functions in the body. These vitamins offer advantages for our bodies, from improving eyesight to supporting immunity and providing essential energy. But that’s not all!
Watermelon also contains minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which are vital for maintaining healthy muscles and overall wellness. It is like nature’s multivitamins packed into a juicy and vibrant fruit. You may be surprised to know that eating watermelon before bed at night is said to offer several benefits. Let’s learn about the advantages of eating watermelon at night and why it is a healthy choice for your evening snack.
Is It Good To Eat Watermelon At Night?
The benefits of eating watermelon at night or anytime are manifold. Did you know that watermelon is composed of approximately 92% water? (1).
You can’t take the word water out of watermelon, can you?
After a long tiring day in the summer, all you want is a refreshing, hydrating, juicy fruit to enjoy and help you let all that stress out. In such a case, watermelon is an excellent choice. It quenches your thirst and provides you with the energy to continue with the tiring day. Therefore, watermelon is undoubtedly the perfect remedy for scorching summer days.
You do not need to merely quench your thirst, you must stay adequately hydrated. Adequate hydration promotes health and the digestion process while also helping your body get rid of waste and toxins.
Read More: What Are The Benefits Of Eating Grapes At Night? What Science Says
Does Watermelon Cleanse Your Stomach?
Eating watermelon provides a refreshing, hydrating kickstart to your tiring, boring day and also delivers much-needed nutrients and antioxidants to your body.
Watermelon contains both water and fiber. Fibers help improve digestive health, stimulating bowel movements and together with water make stools easier to pass. The promotion of regular bowel movements helps your digestive system eliminate waste and toxins. So, if you regularly experience constipation, you may want to give watermelon a try (2).
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Watermelon Before Bed?
If you are looking for a late-night snack that is healthy and low in calories, watermelon is known to be an excellent choice for people trying to lose a few inches around the waist. It has a very low calorie count, so it can be a perfect midnight snack. With around just 30 calories per 100 grams (4), watermelon can satisfy your sweet tooth without you needing to worry about weight gain.
Now you know what to do the next time you crave a sweet and fulfilling midnight snack. With its refreshing qualities, low calorie count, and burst of flavor, watermelon makes healthy eating exciting, even late at night.
What Are The 10 Benefits Of Watermelon?
Eating watermelon offers a variety of health benefits. Let’s now discuss the health benefits of eating watermelon at night or even during the daytime in more detail:
Hydration
Among the many benefits, the refreshing aspect of eating watermelon in the summer cannot be ignored. Consisting of approximately 92% water, watermelon will quench your thirst on a hot, tiring day. By incorporating watermelon into your nighttime snack routine, you will satisfy your sweet cravings while also giving your body a much-needed hydration boost (1).
Nutrient Rich
As previously mentioned, watermelon is a rich source of several important nutrients and vitamins that the body requires. Vitamins A and C are found in abundance in watermelon. Both vitamins play important roles in strengthening your immune system. Vitamin C is also an important antioxidant, whereas vitamin A is essential for vision (9).
In addition, watermelon is a good source of potassium and magnesium, which are electrolytes that are essential for the body. Many different body functions are dependent on having an adequate amount of electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium.
Watermelon is also a great source of antioxidants including lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. (9).
Heart Health
The L-citrulline in watermelon may help lower blood pressure..
L-citrulline converts itself into another amino acid called L-arginine inside the body. L-arginine can be converted into nitrous oxide, which acts to dilate the blood vessels of the body. These relaxed blood vessels help increase blood flow to the organs, leading to improved circulation and reduced blood pressure levels (3).
The antioxidant lycopene in watermelon may also help protect against heart disease (11).
Weight Management
With its low calorie count, watermelon is a favorite snack for those who are trying to shed a few pounds (4). With its low calorie composition and fiber and water content, this refreshing fruit can give you a sensation of fullness.
Are you tired of having untimely cravings and want to know how to get rid of them? Consuming watermelon can help you. When you eat watermelon, your stomach feels full, and you don’t have to eat more than you want. This makes watermelon an excellent choice for those who are looking to manage their weight without sacrificing taste or satisfaction.
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Eye Health
Watermelon is a good source of vitamin A, which promotes good vision and helps prevent age-related macular degeneration (5). This vitamin is essential for preserving your eye health. It maintains and promotes healthy eyesight.
Age-related macular degeneration is a common cause of vision loss among older adults. However, you need not worry as Vitamin A can help you maintain healthy eyesight even in old age. Incorporating watermelon into your diet can be a delicious way to support your eye health, maintain optimal vision, and it adds more to the health benefits of eating watermelon in summer.
The vibrant red color of watermelon is visually appealing and indicative of its rich lycopene content. Lycopene is an excellent antioxidant pigment that may also help prevent eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration. Watermelon also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two more antioxidants that may also serve to protect eye health.
Skin Health
There may be several benefits of eating watermelon for the skin. The water content and essential vitamins in watermelon contribute to healthy, glowing skin (6). If you wish to have that radiating, glowing skin, eating watermelon might be able to help you with that.
Do you know what is required for maintaining perfect, glowing, hydrating skin?
If you guessed the answer is water, you were absolutely right. Adequate hydration is essential for eliminating dryness and maintaining good healthy skin. Watermelon consists of more than 92% water, so what else could be an excellent water source this summer?
In addition to being a delicious water source, watermelon is also a rich source of vitamins A and C. These vitamins are included in skincare products to provide glowing skin. Although it is probably not the same as applying them topically, the inclusion of these vitamins in your diet certainly will not hurt.
Muscle Recovery
Watermelon is rich in essential amino acids, which your body requires to ensure the recovery of your muscles after you have exercised (7). L-citrulline that is found in watermelon is an excellent helper for muscles to recover adequately after exercise.
In addition, watermelon is rich in water and electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium, which are essential for muscle recovery.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that is also an excellent anti-inflammatory agent (8). By potentially curbing inflammation in the body, lycopene can defend against chronic illnesses, including heart disease, certain types of cancer, and even arthritis.
Antioxidant Properties
Not only does watermelon offer an array of benefits that have been mentioned earlier in this article, it also fights against the harmful free radicals that are produced in the body (9). The dynamic duo lycopene and vitamin C both work to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
Kidney Health
The high water and potassium content of watermelon support kidney function and help flush out toxins. Watermelon is a hydrating fruit, so it not only quenches your thirst, it also helps your kidneys flush out waste and toxins and keeps them performing at their best (10).
Read More: The Health Benefits of Eating Liver: A Superfood from Animals
What Are The Benefits Of Watermelon After Dinner?
Eating watermelon after dinner can be beneficial for digestion and overall health. Its high fiber content helps with digestion, promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation (2). In addition, its natural sugars provide a solution for satisfying your sweet cravings without resorting to less healthy midnight snack options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Does Watermelon Contain Much Sugar?
Watermelon contains natural sugars, but what if we were to tell you that it has a relatively low overall sugar content in comparison to other fruits? While it is sweet and refreshing, the sugar in watermelon is all natural and is present together with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about the sugar content in watermelon, or any other whole fruit you are eating.
Is Watermelon Better Than A Banana?
Watermelon and bananas offer different nutritional profiles and benefits. Watermelon is a refreshing fruit that will also hydrate you. It also contains antioxidants that provide several benefits to the body. While they are slightly higher in calories, bananas are an excellent source of potassium and have more fiber than watermelon per serving. Both fruits have their advantages, and incorporating a variety of fruits into your diet is generally recommended to achieve optimal nutrition.
Can I Eat Watermelon Every Day?
Watermelon can be enjoyed daily as part of a healthy diet. It is a nutritional reservoir and a fruit that has several benefits. Its refreshing nature hydrates our bodies while fulfilling the need of the body for vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, nourishing us from within.
When Should I Eat Watermelon To Lose Weight?
Watermelon is a useful nutritional source for weight loss. With its low calorie count, abundance of water, and fiber content, you can incorporate watermelon into your weight loss plan. There are no side effects with watermelon, so it can be eaten as a snack between meals, included in salads, or savored as a revitalizing dessert.
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Summary
To summarize, making watermelon a part of your evening snack routine is a favorable decision. It can improve your health and well-being. With its exceptional hydrating properties, digestive fortification, and its ability to facilitate weight management, watermelon is a reservoir of several advantages. However, it is important to consider moderation and watermelon should be integrated into a balanced and nutritious eating plan.
Adopting a careful approach with watermelon will allow you to maximize the health benefits of eating it at night and optimize your overall dietary intake. Therefore, this summer, why not gain the maximum benefits of watermelon and incorporate it into your diet to improve several aspects of your health?
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
SOURCES:
- National Watermelon Promotion Board. (2021, watermelon.org)
- Fifteen Health Benefits of Watermelon, (2018, medicalnewstoday.com)
- Effect of watermelon supplementation on aortic blood pressure and wave reflection in individuals with prehypertension: a pilot study. (2011, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Calories per 100 grams of watermelon (n.d., fatsecret.com)
- Why Watermelon is Good for Eye Health (n.d., sightresearchuk.org)
- Plant-Derived Antioxidants: Significance in Skin Health and the Ageing Process (2022, mdpi.com)
- Watermelon juice: a potential functional drink for sore muscle relief in athletes. (2013, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry)
- Antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory activity of lycopene in watermelon (2014, research gate.net)
- What are the health benefits of watermelon? (2019, medicalnewstoday.com)
- The Foods That Keep You Hydrated (2022, nytimes.com)
- Cardiovascular benefits of lycopene: fantasy or reality? (2017, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
