Watermelon: Rich Antioxidant and Thirst Relievers

Watermelon is often enjoyed as a healthy snack when the weather is hot. In addition to refreshing, sweet fruit and red colors often appetizing to eat.

Watermelon, which is in the family Cucurbitaceae, its function is not merely relieving thirst, but also as a good antioxidant. This round-shaped fruit also contains vitamin C and A with a large amount. With its high levels of antioxidants, watermelon is as reliable as neutralizing free radicals and reduce damage to cells in the body.

Free radicals can lead to the oxidation of cholesterol that occurs sticking on the walls of blood vessels and the risk for heart attack and stroke. In addition, free radicals cause damage to cells along the walls of the colon and lead to colon cancer.

Beside rich antoksidan and vitamins, watermelon is also known to be an excellent source of carotenoids. Watermelon contains lycopene which is also found in tomatoes.

The importance of lycopene revealed a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Patients with colorectal adenomas (polyps which is a precursor of colorectal cancer) had higher levels of lycopene 35 percent lower than those without polyps. In other words, our bodies need the ability of lycopene to protect body cells and the structure of the body from damage.

Another study published in Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition involving 130 individuals and 274 controls who drank green tea and do not drink green tea. Proven 86 percent of drinkers of green tea and consuming foods that contain lots of lycopene decreased risk of prostate cancer.

Another study published the American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology Metabolism says, volunteers who drank watermelon juice every day as much as 8-ounce glass has arginine levels 18 percent higher than the control group.

source: detik.com

Category: Antioxidant, Fruit