Watermelon, the juiciest summer fruit, is extremely popular for its nutritional benefits. Many people eat the flesh of the fruit and discard the seeds. However, watermelon seeds are edible and extremely nutrition-rich. They are a rich source of proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, zinc, copper and other vital minerals. Watermelon seeds are highly recommended in weight-loss diets, as they are low-calorie snacks and packed with nutrition. Roasted watermelon seeds are more delicious and can be a healthy alternative to junk food. Watermelon seeds have a plethora of health benefits, including the promotion of good bone health and controlled blood sugar levels. In this article, we shall discuss the excellent watermelon seeds’ benefits for skin, hair and health.
Can You Eat Watermelon Seeds?
Watermelon seeds are edible. However, you must not eat them straight from a fruit, as they can taste quite bitter. Watermelon seeds are first dried, toasted and shelled. These are then toasted and seasoned with spices and salt. Sprouted watermelon seeds are very nutritious and make for a tasty, healthy snack.
Watermelon Seeds Nutrition:
Watermelon seeds are low in calories and are packed with nutrition. 1 Ounce (28 gms approx.) of watermelon seeds contains only 158 calories. Below are the nutritional benefits of Watermelon seeds:
28 Grams of Sprouted Watermelon Seeds Contains:
- Total Fat: 11 gm – 17% of DV
- Sodium: 160 mg – 7% of DV
- Carbohydrates: 4 gm – 1% of DV
- Dietary Fiber: 1 gm – 4% of DV
- Proteins: 10 gm – 20% of DV
- Vitamin A: 2% of DV
- Iron: 10% of DV
Benefits of Eating Watermelon Seeds for Hair, Skin and Health:
Health Benefits of Watermelon Seeds:
Here we enlisted the top 13 health benefits of watermelon seeds. Let’s have a look at them.
1. Provides Essential Amino Acids:
Arginine and lysine are some of the amino acids that are required by the body to function in an ideal way. The former helps in improving the metabolism in the body and the latter is helpful for the absorption of calcium for strengthening the bones and the tissues. These amino acids also have great benefits for sexual health.
2. Gives Unsaturated Healthy Fats To The Body:
About 80 % of the fat in watermelon seeds is unsaturated fats and healthy in nature, along with an inclusion of omega fatty 3 acids. Consumption of watermelon seeds only means a good amount of energy to the body without the extra calories. A cup of dried watermelon seeds can fulfil half the requirement of healthy fats daily.
Read: Benefits of Tarbooz
3. Magnesium Source:
The seeds of these fruits have good levels of magnesium in them that only helps in maintaining a lot of body functions in an ideal manner. It helps in the perfect functioning of the heart and also strikes a balance in the blood pressure levels. It can also control diabetes to a good extent along with providing support to the metabolic process in the body.
4. Enhances Male Fertility:
The lycopene antioxidant in watermelon seeds is always a good and effective home remedial way to enhance male fertility levels in men. This should be possible by including the dried seeds in the everyday diet.
5. Immunity-Boosting Food:
After an illness, one can use watermelon seeds in the diet for proper recovery from the crisis. The effects are quite visible in a couple of days. For those with memory issues, watermelon seeds will help recover a good and sharp memory once again.
6. Watermelon Seeds Treat Diabetes:
A handful of watermelon seeds in a litre of water for 45 minutes should be taken each day as a home remedy for diabetes control. This is one of the benefits worthy enough to be mentioned here because of the prevalence of diabetes in the population.
7. Excellent Source of Multivitamins:
One of the best health benefits of watermelon seeds is that it is an excellent source of many multivitamins and will allow you to replace many supplements. It contains good amounts of vitamin B and the seeds of this fruit consist of folate, niacin, vitamin B6 and many more. These components in the seeds of this fruit allow this fruit to be used for many useful purposes, such as curing diseases, improving the nervous system, etc. It can be said that watermelon seeds are some of the best seeds ever to be found.
8. Increases Memory Power:
The watermelon seeds health benefits cannot just be ignored. The seeds boost the recovery power which may further be concerned with any kind of disease or injury. This is one of the best ways to use the extracts of an organic gift from mother nature. It will also sharpen memory. This is one of the best watermelon health benefits and persuades people to intake this fruit quite often.
9. Prevents Osteoporosis
Watermelon seeds can help strengthen bones and increase their density. Regular consumption of watermelon seeds can prevent Osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones are weakened. The chances of falling prey to fractures gradually decrease with the help of watermelon seeds.
10. Low-Calorie Foods:
This is one of the best watermelon seeds health benefits. There are some fruits which are good for you but might contain high amounts of calories. But not the watermelon. It contains a good amount of saturated fat along with many organic minerals but still doesn’t contain high amounts of calories. The low-calorie content of this fruit makes it usable for many purposes. One ounce of watermelon seeds sports not more than 155 calories. An ounce is a lot of seeds. So if you compare it with the number of seeds of some other fruit, you will definitely find that watermelon is more beneficial in this subject.
11. Iron-Rich Food:
The benefits of watermelon cannot be put all together as they are numerous. This particular benefit is one of the best ones. Watermelon seeds benefits also include the content of iron which are one of those minerals which are frequently required by our body. From now on don’t spit the seeds out, keep them aside and put them in the oven to make something delicious of those seeds. The content of good amounts of iron in the seeds makes the watermelon one of the most selling and most consumed fruits ever.
12. Promotes Healthy Fats:
According to the report regarding the precise identification of the benefits of eating watermelon seeds, it has been found that this fruit has tons of benefits including saturated fat (about 20%). According to experts, one cup of watermelon seeds can provide the body with good amounts of fat which are actually good for the body. The seeds also contain omega-6 fatty acids which are also required for maintaining good health.
13. Lowers Blood Pressure:
Watermelon seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, magnesium and copper so which are helpful in reducing high blood pressure. Add watermelon seeds to your daily routine, can control blood pressure levels in your body.
Read: Watermelon Diet for 5 Days
Watermelon Seeds Benefits For Skin:
Here we enlisted the top 2 watermelon seeds benefits for skin. Let’s have a look at them.
14. Moisturizes Skin:
The fatty acids in the watermelon seeds are perfect use for soft, supple and moisturized skin. It also adds firmness and prevents skin disorders and acne issues. Overall, it maintains the good health of the skin with application and consumption.
15. Prevents Clogging of Skin Pores:
Watermelon is basically a light fruit and can be used for treating skin pores. The extracts of watermelon seeds have a compound which has been proved to be beneficial for treating the skin clogging process. Apart from making the skin look younger, it provides the skin with a natural glow which is admired by a lot of women. This is the reason why a number of face wash products come with watermelon seed extracts.
Watermelon Seeds Benefits For Hair:
Here we enlisted the top 3 watermelon seeds benefits for hair. Let’s have a look at them.
16. Keeps Hair Black and Shiny:
Copper is one of the minerals present in watermelon seeds that stimulate the production of melanin in the body responsible for giving colour to the hair. It also provides colour to the skin.
17. Prevents Hair Breakage:
The essential fatty acids in watermelon seed oil help in nourishing the hair strands deeply. This ensures proper strength of the hair and makes it a point that hair breakage is kept at bay. One can always mix the oil with carrier oil and massage on the scalp once every week.
18. Provides Hair with Essential Fatty Acids:
According to many studies, it has been seen that watermelon provides hair with a number of fatty acids which are actually extremely beneficial for keeping the hair healthy. It can keep the hair moisturized and prevent excessive hair fall problems as well. This is one of the best benefits of watermelon seeds. It is one of the prime reasons why many hair products, especially shampoos sport watermelon seed extracts.
Read: Are Sunflower Seeds Good for You?
Watermelon seeds have incredible health benefits. They are sources of important minerals and vitamins necessary for a healthy body, smooth skin and shiny, black hair. Sprouted watermelon seeds can be made at home by extracting them from the fruit, drying them in the sun and shelling them. These can be mildly toasted without oil and can be seasoned with salt and spices. Next time you eat a watermelon fruit, remind yourself not to spit out those super good watermelon seeds. Save them in a bowl and make a delicious snack for you and your family. Too lazy to do them at home, you can buy store-bought organic watermelon seeds. Stay healthy and snack well with watermelon seeds!
