Are You Truly Receiving the Full Benefits Watermelon Has to Offer ?
It is now summer time and everyone is enjoying the outdoors. When we spend a long day on the beach, at a barbeque, or in any other summer setting that we love so much, we need to have the right nutritional accouterments in order to stay hydrated, energized, and alert.If we are not smart about how we plan our activities and our diet throughout the hot summer months than the potential to slow down and not be able to fully enjoy our summer activities increases substantially.
One of the more important aspects of our summertime diet is the amount of produce we eat and what fruits and vegetables we are actually putting into our bodies. One of the best summertime foods that we can possibly incorporate into our summertime diet is watermelon. Sure, watermelon is the most common dessert after a long day of barbeque, but do not write off watermelon as simply a sweet substitute for ice cream or cake.
We need to eat watermelon because of its extremely high hydration potential. After all, it is called watermelon. The amount of water and other substances infused into that water is invaluable and when we eat it, we are rejuvenated. There are also a ton of electrolytes in watermelon, so we can ensure ourselves that we are staying hydrated and that we can recover after a long day out in the sun.
Some studies have been able to link watermelon to a reduction in blood pressure. In the extremities, in the lungs, and in various other parts of the body where there are concentrated blood vessels, watermelon extracts have been proven to increase blood flow and reduce the development of blockage in these blood vessels.
When it comes to inflammation, we are always looking for a way to use our diet to reduce inflammation. After a significant amount of activity, try to use watermelon as a balancing force. The presence of choline and other antioxidants in watermelon target inflammation directly, while other compounds fight alongside the antioxidants to restore order in your body.
We are almost halfway through the summer, but it is not too late! If you are trying to figure out a way to maintain hydration, recover from a long day outside, or even just add a summertime boost to your health and wellness, consider increasing the amount of watermelon in your diet.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Teddy Kwok