One of the best parts of summertime for me is the abundance of fresh fruit! I love watermelon as it satisfies my taste buds for its sweetness, its coolness and its crunch factor! On a hot summer day, there is nothing better than freshly cut watermelon bringing on the summer feel-good cool vibes!
The health benefits of this fruit are many:
high in vitamins A and C
high in antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals in the body (and may prevent cancers)
low in sugar fruit when compared cup-for-cup to other tropical fruits
high in lycopene (even more so than tomatoes)
improves satiety- since the fruit is quite juicy, you can eat more of it for lower total calories when compared to other fruits!
can help manage weight as not all calories are created equal- some calories (from watermelon) can actually cause you to feel more full, more satisfied, and end up eating less over the course of the day!
Sadly, there are some not so great health aspects of this fruit:
watermelon may trigger migraines- when sugars from the fruit are broken down into alcohol and CO2 this process of decay also produces a biogenic amine called tyramine. It is when the fruit is either under ripe or overripe that the problem occurs. Migraine sufferers can still eat this fruit but just at the right time (which is sometimes hard to predict “perfection”).
watermelon may worsen digestive issues watermelon is high in fructose which is a plant compound in the FODMAPs category. People with a history of digestive issues, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), may need to limit FODMAPs in order to feel their best.
All of this said, like any food that you eat, moderation is always the best course to take! For more information, feel free to contact me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com