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While the idea that swallowing a watermelon seed will cause one to grow in your stomach is untrue, the nutritional benefits of watermelon is no myth! Add this low-fat summer favorite to your diet and start reaping 6 delicious health rewards.

6 HEALTH PROPERTIES OF WATERMELON

1. Vitamin A
   • One cup of watermelon contains 18% of the recommended daily vitamin A intake which provides overall health benefits! Vitamin A protects eye health, provides immune support, fights inflammation, supports cell growth, and helps prevent cancer.
2. Vitamin C
   • ​​Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is important for healthy skin, bones, and connective tissues. It also boosts the immune system and helps the body to absorb iron which creates oxygen-carrying red blood cells. One cup of watermelon contains 21% of the daily recommended  intake.
3. Vitamin B6
   • ​​The family of B vitamins plays an important role in converting food into energy and helping the body metabolize fats and protein. B6 vitamins are specifically important for cardiovascular, digestive, immune, muscular, and nervous system function. It also helps the body make melatonin which is important in helping regulate your internal clock. One cup of watermelon contains 3% of the daily recommended intake.
4. Lycopene
   • ​​Lycopene is the pigment that gives vegetables and fruits their red hue. It has strong antioxidant properties that are shown to protect the body from cardiovascular disease and potentially lower the risk for prostate cancer. Lycopene is not naturally produced in the body, and can only be obtained by eating lycopene-rich foods such as watermelon, tomatoes, and pink grapefruit.
5. Citrulline
   • ​​Citrulline is an amino acid found in both the red, fleshy part of the watermelon that is then converted to the amino acid arginine. Arginine helps the body repair itself and aids in the removal of wastes. Additionally, an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase, found in many of our body’s cell types, can utilize the arginine to produce a very small molecule of gas called nitric oxide which is a muscle relaxant. One cup of watermelon contains roughly 250mg of citrulline.
6. Hydration
   • ​​93% of the weight of watermelon is attribute to it’s namesake — water! This summer fruit not only quenches your third but also helps prevent dehydration in the summer heat.

ENJOY OUR 2 FAVORITE WATERMELON RECIPES!

1. Easy Watermelon-Feta Salad {from foodnetwork.com}

Directions: Whisk 1 part white wine vinegar with 3 parts olive oil, salts, and pepper. Toss with baby arugula, red onion slices, watermelon cubes, crumbled feta, nicoise olives, and fresh oregano.

2. Instant Watermelon Pops {from Southern Living Magazine

Directions: Cut a 1-inch slit into the rind of a just-cut watermelon wedge and insert a wooden stick. Serve watermelon pops a variety of ways — sprinkle with flavored salts and freshly ground pepper, drizzle with local honey and fresh lime juice, or dust with red pepper!

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The team’s dedication to detail and patient success is a shining light in the field of spinal healthcare. As pioneers and leaders in this field, they have also accomplished many of the world’s firsts in spine surgery by using modern treatments and cutting-edge technology not offered anywhere else.

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