Health News

Why Watermelon Seeds Are Good For Our Heart

When summer arrives, watermelons start showing up at every corner on the street, and it’s no wonder as they are the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day.

More often than not, we will spit out the black seeds or pick them out and throw them away as they don’t typically taste good or go well with the flesh. But did you know that these tiny little seeds are literally nutrient packed bombs?

In addition to the watermelon’s ability to replenish the fluid in our bodies, as well as make a sweet, refreshing snack during the summer, let’s not forget about the many health benefits that the seeds may carry.

Watermelon Seeds are full of nutrients that help to prevent disease

Vitamins and minerals present in watermelon seeds such as:

are crucial nutrients that our body requires to stay healthy and keep ourselves in the pink of health, thus avoiding diseases_1.

According to a study done by the University of Kentucky₂, the beneficial effects of watermelon seeds on the heart could be due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory (widening of blood vessels) properties.

The seeds are also a rich source of a substance called citrulline, which has been found to reduce aortic blood pressure – ultimately protecting the heart. The extract of the seeds was also found to lower cholesterol levels₂.

Watermelon seeds are also good for glowing skin: These seeds are abundant with fatty acid like oleic acid and linoleum acid, which is beneficial in making our skin healthy₄.

But wait, how do we eat the seeds?

Eating the seeds straight from the melon isn’t something that appeals to many of us so one way of getting this amazing superfood into our system is to grind up the seeds and add it to tea or other drinks that you may enjoy₁.

Other easy ways to enjoy watermelon seeds is by mixing them into salad, fried rice, soup and even sandwiches!

Watermelon seeds and Antioxidants

Have you heard of antioxidants? An antioxidant is a substance such as Vitamin C that removes potentially damaging, oxidizing agents from our bodies.

The antioxidant content within watermelon seeds is very crucial in assisting our body in fighting free radicals. This helps to prevent cancer and slow down the aging process.

There are many antioxidants available out there, such as₆: