Health Benefits of Watermelon Seeds

When you think of the health benefits of watermelon, the seeds probably don't come to mind. You probably think about the sweet, juicy pulp, with the seeds an afterthought and maybe good only for spitting contests. The fact is, watermelon seeds make a great snack when they have been dried and roasted.United States Department of Agriculture,  lists several important nutritional components of watermelon seeds.

Protein

Watermelon seeds are very high in protein, with 1 cup of dried seeds containing 30.6g, which is 61 percent of the daily recommended value. The protein in watermelon seeds consists of several amino acids, one of which is arginine. Some of the health benefits of arginine include regulating blood pressure and treating coronary heart disease.

Minerals


Minerals abound in watermelon seeds. Magnesium is the most abundant mineral, weighing in with 556mg, magnesium helps regulate blood pressure and the metabolism of carbohydrates, which has a beneficial effect on blood sugar as well.