Watermelon is everyone's favorite but the tedious task of throwing the seeds out makes it a little laborious to eat. What if we tell you, this childhood habit of spitting out those tiny black seeds is wrong! Watermelon seeds are full of nutrition and should be eaten along with the red juicy part.
Watermelon seeds are nutrient dense and low in calories. If you don't like chewing them along with the fruit, try roasting them and having as a snack. It will be a healthy replacement for your untimely cravings.
Watermelons seeds are small and that is why you need to consume a lot of them in order to get adequate health benefits. The seeds have a decent amount of micronutrients, iron and zinc, fibre and protein. These nutrients help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, boosts immunity and help with weight loss
Watermelon seeds and weight loss
Thirty grams of watermelon seeds contain approximately 158 calories. And 30 grams of seeds would be more than 400 in number, too many to eat in one sitting. So, a handful of seeds, weighing approximately 4 grams would have only 22 calories, far less than a packet of potato chips that you eat in one go.
Out of the several minerals found in watermelon, magnesium is one of them. A handful of seeds contain approximately 21 mg of magnesium. The mineral is very essential for body’s metabolic processes. It is also required to maintain the nerve, muscle and heart function.
A handful of watermelon seeds contain 0.29 mg of iron. Iron is an important component of haemoglobin which carries the oxygen through the blood. Iron helps your body convert calories into energy and utilise them. Low levels of iron can impact your daily workout routine.
Folate also known as folic acid and vitamin B-9 is important for brain functioning and works to control homocysteine (amino acid) levels. Pregnant women need it more than what normal people do as folate deficiency is associated with certain neural tubal birth defects.
Watermelon seeds are a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fats are associated with reduced risk of stroke and heart attacks and lowering the level of LDL (bad cholesterol).
Your body weight depends on 70 per cent on what you eat and 30 per cent of your workout. This makes healthy eating the first step to lose weight.
Watermelon seeds have many health benefits and a decent amount of nutrients in them. Though the amount of some vitamins and minerals may seem low, but they are still far better than a packet of potato chips or any other unhealthy snack.