Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a vine originating from southern African countries and then spread widely to various tropical and subtropical regions. Watermelon belongs to the cucumber-cucumber or Cucurbitaceae. Like members of other cucumber tribes like pumpkins and melons, watermelon plants grow up to reach a dozen meters. The fruit has a hard skin, light green or dark with dark green arrays. The sweet, juicy flesh is red and yellow, with small seeds or no seeds in it. Inside the watermelon contains carbohydrates, fiber, folate, pantothenic acid, vitamins A, C, E, potassium, calcium, copper, beta-carotene, lycophene and various other ingredients. In 100 grams of watermelon, contains the following nutrients (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base):

1. Heart health
   According to Purdue University, watermelon contains a high content of lycopene. The content of lycopnes, effective to protect body cells from damage and reduce the risk of heart disease. In addition, the watermelon fruit contained citruline and arginine, which each of these substances is good for heart health.
   A journal published by the American Journal of Hypertension, found under arginine good for the health of blood flow that is pumped by the heart. Arginine can also help reduce excess fat that can lead to cholesterol until sudden cardiac arrest.

2. Hydrates the body
   Watermelon is one example of a good fruit if you want to feel full and the body remains hydrated at the same time. The water content of the watermelon can help keep you hydrated, and the contents are full of good electrolyte content. Watermelon is also good to help keep the body temperature stable in hot weather sting.

3. Help Overcome Inflammation
   Lycopene is one of the main compounds that watermelons have. In fact, levels are higher than tomatoes. In 100 gr of watermelon contain 4532 mcg lycopene, while in tomato value is 2573 mcg. So, what are the benefits of lycopene? Lycopene is anti-inflammatory, even the effects of lycopene in treating inflammation are much better than those of other carotenoids. Armed with this high content of lycopene, of course, makes watermelon fruit into a natural remedy that is effective in addressing various inflammatory problems, such as tonsillitis or tonsillitis, gingivitis and others.

4. Healthy hair and skin
   Who would have thought if the benefits of watermelon fruit good for human hair and skin? Vitamin A contained in watermelon, helps keep your skin and hair stem moist. In addition, watermelon also helps promote the growth of collagen and elastin cells are healthy and good for the skin.

5. Maintain Digestive Health
   Armed with the water content is so high, coupled with fiber in it, making watermelon as one source of food that should be consumed in order to maintain digestive health. Water content and fiber in the watermelon helps to digest the system and prevent constipation.

6. Good for Pregnant Mom
   Watermelon is very good to be consumed by pregnant women, because it can relieve symptoms of heartburn and morning sickness that is often encountered in early pregnancy. Mineral content in it also proved effective in helping prevent muscle cramps in the third trimester of pregnancy.

7. Overcoming muscle pain
   A study from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in Spain found that drinking watermelon juice can actually calm muscle after exercise. Athletes who consume more than 16 ounces of watermelon juice, 1 hour before exercise, tend to experience less muscle pain and a stable heartbeat everyday.

Health risks arising when eating watermelon is excessive
If eaten in a reasonable amount, the watermelon will not produce any serious side effects. But if you eat in excessive amounts, it is possible the body will experience a bad reaction because too much lycopene and potassium. American Cancer Society states, watermelon consumption containing more than 30 mg of lycopene every day, has the potential to cause nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, and flatulence.

If you have serious hyperkalemia, too much potassium in your blood, you may not be allowed to consume more than one cup of watermelon per day, in which 1 serving of watermelon cups has 140 mg of potassium. According to the National Institutes of Health, hyperkalemia can cause irregular heartbeats and other cardiovascular problems, can even reduce muscle control