10 Health Benefits of Watermelon
Health Benefit #3: Reduces Inflammation
Chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis usually develop as a result of excess inflammation. Watermelon is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds like lycopene, which reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
In a study done in 2015, a group of rats whose diet of unhealthy food was supplemented with powdered watermelon had lower stress and inflammation levels compared to the group that had the same unhealthy food but no watermelon supplementation. Other studies, including some on humans, have yielded similar results. Lycopene also protects the brain from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. To maximize the positive effects of lycopene, choose well-ripened watermelon.
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