Anyone who's ever bitten into a slice of watermelon knows it induces a state of relaxation like few other fruits. But did you know that the fruit can also be used as medicine? Humans began doing just that, using watermelon as medicine, thousands of years ago. Renowned physicians like Hippocrates and Dioscorides actually praised the bright red melon for its healing properties.
Today, let's bite into the juicy facts and explore the many medicinal benefits of watermelon. We'll also look at how to prepare the fruit to make the best use of it.
For starters, a 152 gram serving of the fruit provides 5% of your recommended daily vitamin A intake. And let's be real, who eats only 152 grams of anything in one sitting? There's no shame in indulging here, my friends. Vitamin A is essential for good vision.
Infections? Not on watermelon's watch! Vitamin A also keeps the eye surface free from bacteria and viruses.
How to Use Watermelon as Medicine
Increased Coolness
Generally speaking, the higher a food's water content the more likely it is to act as a cooling agent. That logic places this fruit pretty high up on the list of foods that cool your internal organs. Most people understand that this has a refreshing effect. But that explanation only scratches the surface. And, just as with watermelon, the good stuff lies under the surface. You see, a cool inner environment also reduces your risk of internal inflammation. In addition to relieving pain, the added hydration also reduces your risk of developing just about all diseases. You see, inflammation is at the root of most diseases.Anti-Oxidation
Watermelon gets its red pigment from a powerful antioxidant compound called lycopene. What makes lycopene important? Well, this compound seeks and destroys reactive oxygen species, preventing oxidative damage. Considering that oxidative damage causes everything from aging to cancer, that's a pretty big check mark for lycopene. Indeed, researchers have found that high amounts of dietary lycopene correlate with reduced cancer risk. All of this builds a strong case for watermelon as medicine, which contains the second highest lycopene content of all fruits.Vision Boost
For starters, a 152 gram serving of the fruit provides 5% of your recommended daily vitamin A intake. And let's be real, who eats only 152 grams of anything in one sitting? There's no shame in indulging here, my friends. Vitamin A is essential for good vision.
Infections? Not on watermelon's watch! Vitamin A also keeps the eye surface free from bacteria and viruses.
