Five surprising facts of a watermelon
You probably have seen that big oval-shaped watermelon sitting graciously on the shelves of your local grocery store or on sale in a grocery store flyer while surfing the internet. Maybe, you are even not aware of the surprising health benefits of watermelon. Health experts have singled out the watermelon as a valuable fruit that should be on the dining table of every household. You will find below Five surprising facts of a watermelon!
1. The watermelon has more Lycopene than raw tomatoes
Raw tomatoes have been a natural fruit in our menu due to the high amount of Lycopene. Scientists describe Lycopene as a powerful carotenoid antioxidant that is responsible for the pink or red color in fruits and vegetables. Surprisingly, watermelons have been identified as having a higher concentration of the antioxidant than a raw tomato. While a sizeable fresh tomato has 4 mg of Lycopene, one cup of watermelon 1.5 more times of Lycopene concentration than the raw tomato.
2. Watermelon juice is an excellent reliever of muscle soreness
If you are fond of taking natural juice, try juicing around a third of fresh watermelon and drink it before the next work out. A glass of watermelon juice is believed to contain an estimated two grams of l-citrulline, an amino acid that normally protects one from muscle pain. A case study indicated that men who reported taking fresh watermelon juice before work out sessions experienced a reduction of muscle soreness 30 hours later compared to those who took a placebo.
Notably, one needs not to be wary of taking large amounts of watermelon juice since it contains a significant amount of fructose. It is probably better to eat the whole fruit in one seating rather than eat small pieces and throw away the rest after some time due to its delicate nature regarding freshness.
3. Watermelon is both a fruit and a vegetable
As a rare case, the watermelon is partly a fruit and slightly a vegetable. While it is related to the pumpkin, cucumbers, and squash, it is also sweet and seed producing plant.
4. Watermelon Rind and Seeds are edible
Most people throw away the watermelon’s rind and eat the fleshy inner part only. However, scientists believe that the watermelon rind contains more health-promoting and blood-building chlorophyll and a high concentration of amino acid citrulline than the pink flesh. The amino acid citrulline is converted to arginine in the kidneys, and it promotes the health of the heart. Also, the amino acid maintains the body’s immune system.
Moreover, most people prefer seedless watermelons to the black watermelon that has seeds. However, watermelon seeds are edible and very healthy since they contain zinc, iron, fiber, and protein. Next time you buy a watermelon, slice it into pieces, and blend or juice everything.
5. Watermelon contains a large amount of water
Believe it or not, 91% of the watermelon is water. It means that eating watermelon during hot summers is a healthy and tasty way of keeping your body well hydrated. However, note that it can never be a substitute for water as a hydrant, but it complements water well.
I had no idea you could eat the rind!
Neat! I had no idea about the first 3 watermelon facts.. Watermelon is such a summer fruit. I can’t wait to eat one!
Thank you for the tips, I did hear about juicing the complete watermelon but have not tried yet. Just finished slicing up a watermelon for a fruit salad, may figure out something to di with the rind.
Thank you water melon is so tasty and very healthy
I love watermelon and I have heard that pickled watermelon rind is awesome! not to sure about the seeds though lol
I actually did not know that Watermelon is both fruit and vegetable.
I didn’t know that watermelon could be considered a vegetable. Interesting. I craved watermelon during both of my pregnancies. I just couldn’t get enough!
I think all the points here really surprised me, I didn’t know any of them. I can’t imagine eating the rind and the seeds but in a smoothy perhaps they’d go unnoticed.
great source of water.. I didn’t know that the watermelon had so many benefits. Also rare to see the ones with seeds now
No one like to eat the seeds lol!
We love watermelon but usually buy them during the summer as they are so refreshing. They are also have no seed now, not like the ones we got years ago. I never thought that the rind would be beneficial.
I’ve been eating a lot of watermelon lately and have been juicing it too, which is sooo good. I didn’t know that it helped muscle soreness which is just what I need. In my opinion though, watermelon is great at hydrating and just as good as water.
You like it as much as I do!
ok I actually had no idea watermelon was classified as both a fruit and a vegetable!
Watermelon is a favorite its great that it has so many healthy benefits
Never knew about that watermelon rind and seeds are edible
I never knew that water melon can help relieve sore muscles. I will have to try juicing it!