Continued from last week…
Stronger bones: Lycopene also plays an important role in promoting bone health. Dietary lycopene reduces oxidative stress, thereby reducing the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts which are the two bone cells that are involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. So consuming lycopene-rich foods (like watermelon) can make your bones stronger. Besides, watermelon is also rich in potassium which helps in retaining calcium in the body, leading to stronger bones and joints.
Supports muscles and nerves: Being rich in potassium, watermelon is a great natural electrolyte and therefore, can regulate the action of nerves and muscles in the body. Potassium is a mineral that determines the degree of contraction of muscles and controls the excitation of nerves in the body.
Support kidneys: Being a natural diuretic, watermelon helps to increase the flow of urine without straining the kidneys. It contains potassium which helps in clearing the accumulated salt deposits of limestone from the kidneys and also works to reduce the concentration of uric acid in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of forming kidney stones. Watermelon also enables the liver to process ammonia (waste from protein digestion), hence easing the strain on kidneys while getting rid of excess fluids.
Natural Viagra: Watermelon is often referred to as the natural Viagra as it contains arginine. Arginine boosts nitric acid. This acid relaxes the blood vessels, hence treating and preventing erectile dysfunctions. Watermelon is also a rich source of amino acid – citrulline – which works in further expanding the blood vessels. I advise men to make watermelon one of their best fruits.
Healthy eyes: Watermelon is a great source of beta-carotene which gets converted to vitamin A in the body. This helps in producing pigments in the retina of the eye, thereby protecting against age-related macular degeneration as well as preventing night blindness. Vitamin A is also vital for maintenance of healthy skin, teeth, skeletal tissue and mucus membranes.
Supports immune system and heals wounds: Watermelon has a high content of vitamin C which improves the immune system by maintaining the redox integrity of cells, thus protecting them from the reactive oxygen radicals. Vitamin C also facilitates quick healing of wounds as it is vital to the formation of new connective tissue. This vitamin is required for the functioning of enzymes that are involved in the formation of collagen, the main component of wound healing. Arginine on the other hand speeds up the delivery of white blood cells to injury sites, thus accelerating the growth of new skin tissue.
WATERMELON BEAUTY TIPS
Healthy Skin: Watermelon has a good amount of fiber in it. We all know fibers help in flushing out all toxins from the body. It’s important to notes that good health reflects on the skin. The watermelon fruit is also used in lipsticks, lip glosses, essences, shower gels and body fragrances due to its refreshing nature.
Toning Action: Watermelon juice acts as a natural toner for your beautiful skin. Toners help in reduction of pore size. Smaller pores make skin appear taut and tight. Also, there is reduced risk of acne and blemishes as there is less clogging of the pores. For a very good home-made natural toner, squeeze the juice out of a few pieces of watermelon. Apply it over your face with cotton wool. Wash it away after it dries and follow up with a light moisturizer. When you do so, you just said hello to cleansed and refreshed skin. Another way to get rid of the large pores on your skin is by, crushing the watermelon pieces and adding a few torn mint leaves to it. Freeze the mixture into ice cubes. Rub them all over your face after applying your face pack. This will also seal the goodness of the face pack. Do you know that watermelon works as an excellent scrub? Mix 2 tbsp. of gram flour with 2 tsp. of watermelon juice. Massage your skin with the mixture in circular motions. Scrubbing regularly takes the dead skin away and brings new cells on to the surface of the skin. It also helps your skin absorb better.
Treatment of sunburns: The dry season/summer creates havoc on the skin – skin tans, sun burns and what not? A mixture of the pulps of cucumber and watermelon when mixed together at equal proportions is a very good cure for sunburns. Apply the mixture to your face evenly; leave it on for 20 minutes and the result will be amazing. It soothes the skin and heals the sunburns. It also brightens the face and lightens your complexion.
Treats acne: Watermelon is one of the best natural remedies for acne. If your skin is prone to acne or pimples, simply massage your skin with watermelon juice every day. Guide: Cleanse your face thoroughly, dab a cotton wool in watermelon juice, apply it to your face, leave for 15 minutes and rinse off with cold water.
Radiant skin: For beautiful radiant and glowing skin, mash half a banana and a few pieces of melon. Apply over your face and wash off after 20 minutes while rubbing in a circular motion. Follow up with a good moisturizer. Alternatively, add a few drops of melon juice to your face packs for an added glow this season.
Hair Benefits: Healthy hair depends on a healthy body and system to a great extent. If your body lacks certain vital nutrients and minerals, it adversely affects your hair and scalp, causing several hair problems such as hair loss, thinning, dandruff, split ends etc. As far as watermelon is concerned, its nutritional value can be beneficial for your hair. Watermelon promotes hair growth, how you may ask! Watermelon contains abundant amount of a phytonutrients called citrulline. These help increase the level of arginine in the body. Arginine is an amino acid that improves blood circulation in the scalp, hence, promoting hair growth. Moreover, the Viagra effect of watermelons keeps the blood pumping to your scalp. This helps provide with the proteins and minerals that encourage hair growth.
Eat a lot of watermelon but remember, too much of anything is bad!
Hope now you got to know the varied beauty benefits of watermelon! We could go on and on about the goodness of the fruit, but we are already thirsty at the thoughts of this fabulous fruit. Watermelon is more than just a refreshing fruit to quench your thirst try to incorporate it in your skin care regime.
To be continued next week…
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Theresa Moses
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