THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF WATERMELON SEED

When there is a need to think of the health benefits of watermelon, the health benefits of the seeds probably don't come to the human mind. Rarely will you probably think about the seeds. It is not given afterthought and maybe good only for spitting contests. The fact is that, watermelon seeds make a great snack when they have been dried and roasted. Even though there nutritional values are limited, it is worth taking good note of. Although many people spit out the seeds when eating watermelon, these small kernels can be a rich source of nutrition. Watermelon seeds are not optimal for every diet plan due to the rich fat content, but watermelon seeds do provide nutritional benefits that can make them a valuable addition to your diet plan. You should note that watermelon seeds are calorie dense, so the recommendation is that eating them in moderation is best.

Carbohydrates: If you are following a low-carbohydrate diet, watermelon seeds can be a good choice. Each 1 oz. serving of the seeds provides just 4.3 g of carbohydrates.

Protein: Watermelon seeds are very high in protein, it is estimated that 1 cup of dried seeds containing 30.6g, which is 61 percent of the daily recommended value. 

·    The protein in watermelon seeds consists of several amino acids, one of which is arginine. While the body produces some arginine, there are times when people need to take in additional arginine. Some of the health benefits of arginine include

o  regulating blood pressure and

o  treating coronary heart disease.

There are several other amino acids that make up the protein in watermelon seeds, including tryptophan, glutamic acid, and lysine.

Calories: The seed of watermelon are not optimal for dieting as they are calorie dense; a 1 oz. serving of seeds contains 158 calories, which comprises 7.9 percent of the daily suggested calorie intake of 2,000. This makes watermelon seeds about as calorie dense as mixed nuts, which provide 174 calories per 1 oz. serving. The calorie density makes watermelon seeds good for active individuals. A 1 oz. serving of watermelon seeds provides enough calories to fuel ¾ hour of weightlifting or ¼  minutes of swimming laps.

B Vitamins: The seeds are also loaded with several of the B vitamins. It is recommended that the B vitamins are necessary for converting food into energy and other important bodily functions. The most prevalent B vitamin in watermelon seeds is niacin, with 1 cup of dried watermelon seeds containing 3.8mg, which is 19 percent of the daily value. Niacin is important for maintaining the

·    nervous system,

·    digestive system and

·    skin health.

Other B vitamins in watermelon seeds include

·    folate,

·    thiamin

·    riboflavin

·    vitamin B6 and

·    pantothenic acid.

Minerals: Minerals abound in watermelon seeds. Magnesium is the most abundant mineral, weighing in with 556mg, or 139 percent of the recommended daily value, in 1 cup of dried seeds. According to the National Institutes of Health, magnesium helps regulate blood pressure and the metabolism of carbohydrates, which has a beneficial effect on blood sugar as well. Other important minerals in watermelon seeds are phosphorous, iron, potassium, sodium, copper, manganese and zinc.

Fats: It is the most surprising thing about watermelon seeds, amount of fat they contain. In 1 cup of dried seeds, there are approximately 51g of fat,

·    With 11g of those being saturated fat.

·    The other fats are

o  monounsaturated fats,

o  polyunsaturated fats, and

o  Omega-6 fatty acids.

The mono and polyunsaturated fats reduce blood cholesterol, and omega-6 fatty acids can help reduce high blood pressure.