Health Benefits and Nutrition Facts of Watermelons

Watermelons are a fragrant fruit that is widely grown in temperate and tropical climates. They are so widely grown in the Spain and Italy that most of us have come to associate them with summer, when they appear alongside cantaloupes, honeydews and other sweet fruits at roadside stands and farms.

Watermelon has been a part of many cultures for centuries. In fact, watermelon originated in Africa where people have been cultivating it as one of their main sources of vitamin C since ancient times.

Today, watermelon is known as “the king of fruits” because it has a nutritional profile similar to other staples such as carrots and potatoes while also being low in calories and fat compared to some popular desserts. Read on to learn more about the nutrition facts, health benefits and varieties of watermelons.

Watermelon is a nutrient-dense fruit that is an excellent source of vitamin C. One cup of watermelon provides up to 100% of your daily recommended vitamin C intake. It also contains a small amount of folate, riboflavin and potassium. Watermelon is also a rich source of the antioxidant lycopene.

Watermelon provides a number of minerals, including potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. The water content in watermelons is also an important mineral source.

If you’re looking for a refreshing, low-calorie snack that’s not like any other fruit, then you should try watermelon. It provides more nutrients than yogurt while also being a lower-calorie alternative to ice cream and other desserts high in sugar.

Watermelon has a high amount of nutrients and is low in calories. It’s a good source of vitamin C, which helps to fight the effects of aging, along with beta-carotene and lycopene. These antioxidants help protect the body.

The vitamin A associated with watermelons also plays an important role in eye health. Although watermelon isn’t just for eyes, it does have some unique properties that make it an excellent choice for those who want to improve their vision.

The high levels of beta-carotene found in this fruit mean that watermelon is a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids that protect the retina from age-related damage.

Additionally, when these carotenoids are paired with the protein found in watermelon, they promote healthy retinal development.

One of the most important nutrients in watermelon is the sugar called fructose. The sugar is classified as a natural sugar and it helps to prevent the formation of free radicals.

The health benefits of watermelon are determined by its high water content, which makes it a low-calorie fruit.

Another nutrient that makes watermelon an excellent source of vitamins is vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to reduce damage from pre-existing conditions while also protecting against future damage. Watermelons have protein levels that are higher than many other fruits including apples, bananas, grapefruits and oranges.

This makes them an excellent choice for adding to your diet if you are trying to lose weight because they provide more protein than carbohydrates.

The amount of vitamin A in a single serving of watermelon is about 50 percent greater than an orange or one whole carrot.

In fact, this fruit has so much vitamin A that it only takes four cups of raw watermelon to equal the daily recommended intake for vitamin A in an adult’s diet.

Watermelon is a high-fiber fruit, which means that it is excellent for digestion. Because watermelons are made up of mostly water and fiber, they work well to hydrate the body and help to keep the digestive process running smoothly.

Watermelon also has a low glycemic index -- in other words, it's not overly sweet -- so it helps with blood sugar regulation.

Additionally, some people say that eating too much watermelon can help to relieve constipation because they are predominantly composed of water and fiber.

The vitamin C content in watermelon is also a significant factor: many studies have shown that people who regularly eat this fruit tend to have better overall health than those who do not.

Watermelons contain an estimated 315 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit, which is more than many other fruits like oranges, tangerines and grapefruits but less than strawberries and kiwis.

People who are allergic to watermelon can sometimes have reactions when they eat other types of melons, such as honeydews and cantaloupes. It is important to note that though the fruits share the same name, they are different fruits.

Watermelons is a low FODMAP fruit. FODMAPs refer to the group of carbohydrates in foods that may lead to digestive discomfort. These carbohydrates include various types of sugar and other fermentable materials, such as fructans and galactooligosaccharides (GOS).

Watermelon is classified as a low FODMAP fruit because it contains very little GOS, which is thought to be one of the main sources of triggering digestive symptoms.

Watermelon is also high in magnesium and vitamins A, C and B6, making it an excellent source of antioxidants. It also contains lycopene--a phytochemical present in tomatoes and many other fruits.