BY EVELYN OKONMA

 WATERMELON is believed to have first been domesticated over 4,000 years ago in Northeast Africa. It is sweet and juicy, making it the perfect treat to quench your thirst during the dry season.

This large round fruit has a green rind and bright red flesh. It’s also packed with nutrients, including antioxidants and vitamins A and C.

Here are 9 of the top health benefits of watermelon.

1. Helps you stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is important for your body to function properly. Body temperature regulation, normal organ function, nutrient delivery to cells, and alertness are only some of the bodily processes that rely on adequate hydration. Eating foods with a high water content may help give your body the water it needs to function properly.

Watermelon comprises 92% water, making it a great choice for daily water intake. Furthermore, due to its high water content, this melon has a low calorie density — in other words, very few calories for its total weight. Eating foods with low calorie densities, such as watermelon, may aid weight management by keeping you feeling full for longer.

2. Packed with nutrients and beneficial plant compounds

Watermelon contains a variety of nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. It’s also relatively low in calories, containing just 46 per cup.

Watermelon is also a rich source of citrulline, an amino acid that may improve exercise performance. Plus, it boosts antioxidants, including vitamin C, carotenoids, lycopene, and cucurbitacin E.

These compounds help combat free radicals, which are unstable molecules that may damage your cells if they accumulate in your body. Over time, this damage may lead to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

3. May have anticancer effects

Several plant compounds found in watermelon, including lycopene and cucurbitacin E, have possible anticancer effects.

While study results are mixed, lycopene intake may be associated with a lower risk of some types of cancer, such as prostate and colorectal cancers. Lycopene is believed to work by lowering blood levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF), a hormone that promotes cell division. Notably, cancer forms when cell division becomes uncontrollable.

Additionally, cucurbitacin E may inhibit tumor growth by promoting the autophagy of cancer cells. Autophagy is the process by which your body removes damaged cells

4. May improve heart health

Several nutrients in watermelon may support heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. It’s worth noting that lifestyle factors like diet may lower your risk of heart attack and stroke by reducing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Studies suggest that lycopene may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It may also help prevent oxidative damage caused by high cholesterol levels.

Watermelon also contains citrulline, an amino acid that may increase nitric oxide levels in your body. Nitric oxide helps your blood vessels expand, which lowers blood pressure.

5. May reduce inflammation and oxidative stress

Inflammation is a key driver of many chronic diseases. The combination of antioxidants, lycopene, and vitamin C in watermelon may help lower inflamma­tion and oxidative damage.

In one study, rats fed watermelon powder to sup­plement an unhealthy diet developed less oxidative stress and lower levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein than those in the control group.

6. May help prevent macular degeneration

The watermelon compound lycopene may have benefits for your eyes. Age-related macular degenera­tion (AMD) is a common eye problem that can cause blindness in older adults.

One test-tube study that treated eye cells with lycopene found that it de­creased the capacity of inflammatory markers to damage cells.

7. May relieve muscle soreness

Citrulline, an amino acid found in watermelon, may improve exercise performance and reduce muscle sore­ness. It is also available as a supple­ment.

One review found that regular in­take of citrulline for at least 7 days improved aerobic performance by increasing the body’s production of nitric oxide. This compound helps ex­pand blood vessels so that your heart doesn’t need to work as hard to pump blood through your body

8. May aid skin health

Vitamins A and C, which are found in watermelon, are important for skin health.

Vitamin C — either when eaten or applied topi­cally — helps your body make collagen, a protein that keeps your skin supple and your hair strong. Vitamin A is also important for healthy skin since it helps create and repair skin cells.

9. May improve digestion

Watermelon contains plenty of water and a small amount of fiber, both of which are necessary for healthy digestion. Fiber helps keep your bowels regular, while water moves waste through your digestive tract more efficiently.

One survey in 4,561 adults found that those with low fluid and low fiber intakes were more likely to experience constipation. Nonetheless, other factors may have played a role.

The bottom line

Watermelon is a tasty, thirst-quenching fruit that many people enjoy in the heat of the dry season. It has a very high water content and provides nutri­ents like lycopene, citrulline, and vitamins A and C.

Studies suggest that this sweet, red melon may even boost heart health, reduce muscle soreness, and decrease inflammation, though more research is needed.

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