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Watermelon Day – what has that got to do with health? A lot actually.
Watermelon is a fruit most people associate with summer. It’s a sweet, refreshing treat on a hot day, but it’s also good for you. According to the Watermelon Promotion Board,
Watermelon is the Lycopene Leader in fresh produce, having higher concentrations of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. In fact, fresh watermelon contains higher levels of lycopene than fresh tomatoes – a 2-cup serving of watermelon contains and average of 18.16 mg and one medium-sized tomato contains 4 mg.
Lycopene is a carotenoid, a substance that some scientists believe help ward off cancer. Watermelon is also a good choice because it’s heart healthy. It’s low in fat and cholesterol. However, it is high in sugar, so that needs to be taken into account. It’s also a good source of vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as amino acids.
Watermelons are also a good way to get a bit of fluid in on a hot day; it.s 92% water. While watermelon isn’t a replacement for drinking lots of fluids, the fruit does provide you with some hydration, which never hurts when it’s hot outside.
Here are some fun facts about watermelons – did you know any of these?
- There are over 1000 types of watermelon varieties (1200)
- Watermelon is actually a vegetable? That’s what they say – that it’s related to cucumbers and pumpkins
- You can eat the skin and the seeds
- Watermelons used to be used as canteens by early explorers
So – don’t feel guilty for sitting back and enjoying a nice slice of watermelon. It’s good for you!
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