Watermelon: Much More Than Water

Eating more watermelon is a fun way to get more water in your diet. In addition to being 92% water, it is also an excellent source of nutrients.

Have you heard of lycopene? That is the phytonutrient (plant nutrient) most commonly associated with tomatoes. And lycopene has been studied for its potential health benefits in reducing blood pressure in people with elevated blood pressure. In addition, lycopene may lower the risk of prostate cancer and contribute to healthy skin.

Even if this isn’t the case or the benefits aren’t as strong as we believe, what is the harm in eating watermelon as part of an overall healthy diet?

There is no reason not to eat watermelon, and everyone from children to adults can eat it. Two cups of watermelon (quite a bit) have about 80 calories, or about the same amount as a medium apple, orange, pear, or peach. From vitamins A and C, fiber, and the previously mentioned lycopene, watermelon is a nutritious fruit to enjoy in various ways. It also contributes potassium which is also essential for blood pressure health.

Enjoy watermelon in the traditional way – sliced or diced. But also freeze it for watermelon pops or add it to a salad with feta or bleu cheese and balsamic.

From a food safety perspective, washing the watermelon before cutting it is vital. Even though many people do not eat the rind, the watermelon can have contamination on the surface, and the knife cutting through can “drag” contaminants through the edible portion of the fruit. In addition, you don’t want to get sick from your watermelon.

Can one eat “too much” watermelon? Possible, but highly unlikely. It would require 22 cups or nearly 8 pounds of watermelon to reach 1,000 calories. So, can you eat “too much”?

And the watermelon is 100% edible since pickling watermelon rinds is something we can do.

Try a new recipe for variety to help you go through your watermelon.