Juicy, fresh and oh so satisfying — whichever way you slice it, there’s nothing better than a slice of refreshing watermelon on a hot day!
As a fruit, watermelon also has amazing health benefits to help boost your inner glow. From supple skin to lustrous locks, here’s 4 beauty benefits of watermelon for your skin and hair that you’ll love!
Benefit 1: It hydrates your skin
If chomping down on a slice of watermelon feels like you’re chugging a tall glass of water, then you’re not wrong — it’s packed with up to 91% water per 100 grams¹! Watermelon is considered one of the most hydrating fruits that can help to clear heat, irritability and thirst; in Chinese medicine, the outermost layer of the rind is even used to relieve heat exhaustion². Its high water content perfectly plumps up dull and dry skin to keep it looking fresh every day.
Benefit 2: It keeps your skin supple
Watermelon is a good source of vitamin C³ , an essential nutrient that boosts collagen and skin health. Collagen is a protein that helps to strengthen tendons and ligaments, parts of the body that help to keep it well-connected⁴. Not only does collagen help to keep the body running smoothly, but also strengthens your skin to keep it supple!
Benefit 3: It strengthens your hair
Besides collagen, arginine is another protein that is found in excess in watermelon. Arginine is known for promoting blood circulation, particularly within the scalp⁵. The increased blood circulation can help to strengthen hair growth for lustrous locks you’ll love!
Benefit 4: It calms down irritated skin
Ever wondered what gives watermelon its vibrant red hue? Beta-carotene! However, beta-carotene can also help to soothe inflammation — a reaction by the immune system to a stimulus or trigger⁶. When left uncontrolled, high levels of inflammation in the body can directly contribute to acne⁷. Beta-carotene prevents this by speeding up cell turnover to reveal vibrant skin; it’s even known to protect from sunburns⁸!
The bottom line: Watermelon is a healthy fruit with surprisingly sweet beauty benefits for your skin and hair. Refresh your beauty routine with each juicy bite today!
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References:
¹ Whitbread, D 2020, 17 fruits highest in water, MyFoodData.com, viewed 14 February 2021
Berry, J 2019, Hydrating foods: The top 20 and their benefits, Medical News Today, viewed 14 February 2021
² Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation Summer cooking: watermelon, viewed 14 February 2021
³ Bjarnadottir, A 2019, Watermelon 101: nutrition facts and health benefits, Healthline
Media, viewed 15 February 2021
4 Watson, K 2017, 5 ways to boost collagen, Healthline Media, viewed 15 February 2021
⁵ Tadimalla Teja, R 2019, 21 best benefits of eating watermelon for skin, hair, and health, Stylecraze, viewed 20 February 2021
⁶ Seladi-Schulman, J 2019, Skin inflammation: causes, diagnosis, treatment, and more, Healthline Media, viewed 16 February 2021
⁷ Liu, K & Nassim, J 2019, Adult acne: Understanding underlying causes and banishing breakouts, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing, viewed 22 February 2021
⁸ Frothingham, S 2018, How to prevent vitiligo, Healthline Media, viewed 26 February 2021
