Short Answer: Watermelon is good for high cholesterol. Because it has lycopene and citrulline and they can help prevent oxidative damage and improve blood flow.
High cholesterol is a condition that affects your blood vessels and heart.
In high cholesterol, your body produces too much of a waxy substance called cholesterol, which can build up in your arteries and form plaques.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
One of the key factors in managing high cholesterol is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood cholesterol levels, which can impact your high cholesterol symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage high cholesterol, you should consume fiber-rich foods like oats, beans, and fruits and avoid saturated fat-rich foods like butter, cheese, and red meat.
Now, watermelon is a juicy and sweet fruit that belongs to the cucurbit family.
People usually eat watermelon raw, either as slices or cubes, or use it to make salads, smoothies, or juices.
Watermelon is good for high cholesterol because it contains lycopene and citrulline.
Lycopene is a carotenoid that has antioxidant properties and can help prevent oxidative damage caused by high cholesterol levels.
Citrulline is an amino acid that can increase nitric oxide levels in your body, which can help relax and widen your blood vessels and lower your blood pressure.
One cup of diced watermelon can give you 14% of your daily vitamin C needs, 5% of your daily vitamin A needs, and 4% of your daily potassium and magnesium needs.
It also has only 46 calories and 0 grams of fat.
Lycopene can positively affect high cholesterol by scavenging free radicals and reducing inflammation in your arteries.
Citrulline can positively affect high cholesterol by improving blood flow and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Furthermore, watermelon is a fruit and fruits are good for high cholesterol.
Because, fruits are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that can help lower cholesterol and protect your heart health.
You can eat up to two cups of watermelon per day safely.
More than that can cause bloating, diarrhea, or high blood sugar levels.
Also, you shouldn’t eat watermelon if you have diabetes or kidney disease to prevent high blood sugar or potassium levels.
Because, watermelon has a high glycemic index and a high potassium content.
You can buy fresh watermelon in your local market or can order it online.
Always choose watermelon that is firm, heavy, and symmetrical.
Because, these are signs of a ripe and juicy watermelon.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a year.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing high cholesterol effectively.
I always recommend my high cholesterol patients to follow a cholesterol-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.