At Cocofloss, we’re big fans of juicy, delicious watermelons. In the heat of the summer, few things are more refreshing. But the crisp red fruit is more than just its great taste — it’s one of the best foods for your health.
We’re not the only ones to have noticed. Beyonce has invested in WTRMLN WTR, an all-natural sports drink made out of watermelons too misshapen to make it to market. And hey, if Queen Bey is doing it, you know you’re on the right track. Here’s why Beyonce is right (as always) to board the watermelon wellness train.
1. Lycopene
Watermelon is chock full of lycopene, an antioxidant that gives the fruit it’s punchy red insides — it’s what makes tomatoes red and grapefruits pink, too. Watermelon, it turns out, has the most lycopene out of any fruit or veggie. It’s linked to healthy hearts and it may help protect people against cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease to boot. That’s a lot of good, all from the thing that gives your fruit a bit of blushing pigment.
2. Vitamin C
The green gourds are a decent of vitamin C, serving up 21% of the recommended daily intake in one cup. Vitamin C is a necessary ingredient for making the collagen that gives your hair and skin structure. An important antioxidant, it can also help keep cancer away, and in big quantities, can lower your risk of getting asthma.
3. Hydration
Watermelons are basically water — 92%, if you need to know. So they’re a tasty way to get H2O back into your body. Plus, watermelons are bursting with electrolytes, which you lose in huge quantities when you sweat. That makes it an optimal snack for regaining your cool at a hot summer picnic.
4. Vitamin A
Watermelon also has a bunch of vitamin A, which means it’ll help keep your hair moisturized and your skin looking healthy. Vitamin A keeps your peepers in tip-top shape too.
5. Vitamin B6
Thought the vitamins benefits stopped there? Happily housed in watermelons, vitamin B6 keeps diseases at bay and helps break down proteins. If you’re going to host a BBQ, make sure to slice up a big watermelon or two to help balance out all those chips and hotdogs.
Add some pizzazz to your watermelon consumption
There are more ways to get your watermelon fix than munching on melon balls or fresh slices. Freeze a few triangles and eat them like an all-natural popsicle, dice them up and throw them in a salad, or blend them into a cool smoothie with a few ice cubes … or treat yourself to a watermelon cocktail!
