I love watermelon and every summer I eat watermelon! Just this month I have found out that this superb fruit has great benefits not just on the inside but also on the outside!
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is related to plants like cantaloupe, squash and pumpkin that grow as vines. It is a very large, smooth and oval to round-shaped fruit. The outer body of the fruit has solid green or green skin with yellow stripes. The edible skin is pink to red in colour with lots of flat, oval black seeds. Seedless varieties of the fruit are also available. Though the red flesh is the most common one, there are other varieties that have orange, yellow or white flesh. Watermelons are available all over the world throughout the year. But they are at their sweetest best in summers. This is the season to enjoy this fruit.
Besides being extremely delicious, the fruit quenches our thirst as well as re-boosts body with antioxidant lycopene and vitamin A. They have a neutral flavour, tasting somewhat like light sugar syrup. This is because they contain 6% sugar and 92% water. Due to their high water content, they are great for preventing dehydration during summers. The entire fruit comprising the inner rind which is light green or white in colour is highly nutritious. The inner rind is often used as vegetable and to prepare stews, fries and pickles. The watermelon fruit is also used in lipsticks, lip glosses, essences, shower gels and body fragrances due to its refreshing nature.
Skin Benefits Of Watermelon:
Watermelon is more than just a refreshing fruit to quench your thirst. It is rich in vitamin A, C and antioxidants, vital for skin health. Its high water content hydrates your body, resulting in radiant skin. The various watermelon benefits for skin are given below.
1. Anti-ageing:
Free radicals in the body are responsible for causing signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Watermelon is a rich source of antioxidants like lycopene, Vitamin A and C. These help reduce free radicals in the body, thus preventing signs of ageing. Watermelon can be applied on the skin topically and consumed too for getting the best results.
2. Natural toner:
This juicy red fruit is a natural astringent that enhances the appearance of our skin by acting as a natural toner. For the best results, massage your skin with a fresh watermelon slice or blend it with honey. If you have oily skin, you can add hazelnut powder to watermelon juice extract and apply it on your face and neck to keep it well-hydrated.
3. Moisturizes and hydrates skin:
Dehydration can make our skin appear dry and dull. If you have dry skin, you can apply watermelon with honey to keep it properly moisturized and hydrated. This fruit must also be included in your diet for a supple skin.
4. Cures 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. To use:
- Cleanse your face thoroughly
- Dab a cotton ball in watermelon juice
- Apply it to your face.
- Leave for 15 minutes
- Rinse off with cold water
5. Removes excess oil from the skin:
Watermelon is a rich source of vitamin A which is vital to the health and vitality of our skin. It reduces the size of the skin pores and minimizes the oil secreted by the sebaceous glands.
6. Treatment of sunburns:
Watermelon can be also used to treat sunburns. To use:
- Prepare a face pack by mixing equal proportions of watermelon and cucumber pulp
- Apply the pack to your face evenly
- Leave it on for 20 minutes.
- This will not only help heal the sunburns but also lighten your complexion.
Hair Benefits Of Watermelon:
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 like hair loss, thinning, dandruff, split ends and the like. As far as watermelon is concerned, its nutritional value can be beneficial for your hair. Here’s how:
7. Promotes hair growth:
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, thus 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.
