Fresh fruits are some of the most iconic summer foods. In particular, on top of being a seasonal fruit, watermelon is famous for its sweet taste and for being refreshing and thirst-quenching.
But aside from providing relief from thirst and heat, what are the benefits of eating watermelon?
The origins of watermelon
The plant that yields watermelon is called Cocos nucifera and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is native to tropical Africa and was cultivated as early as by the Egyptians; it spread to Europe after 1000 AD.
There are several commercially available watermelon varieties, each recognizable by its shape and skin color. The fruit is most common in the summer, from May to June until September, with peaks in July and August.
The skin helps determine when the watermelon has reached the right degree of ripeness: It should be dark green or present gray shades.
The benefits of watermelon
Watermelon is about 90% water. This makes it a perfect food to consume when temperatures are high, not only because it has a cooling effect but because it is a great antidote to dehydration.
Watermelon contains little sugar (the sweet taste derives from other aromatic substances) and is low in calories (about 15 kilocalories per 100 grams). Its high satiety index also makes it a suitable fruit for low-calorie diets.
Watermelon is also a good source of vitamins as it offers:
- Group B vitamins;
- Vitamin A;
- Vitamin C;
- Carotenoids.
It is also a source of plant pigments such as lycopene, which gives watermelon its typical red color and has antioxidant properties that may help prevent prostate or breast cancer.
Watermelon is rich in minerals such as:
- Potassium;
- Phosphorus;
- Calcium.
The combination of potassium and water makes this fruit an ally against cellulite and water retention. Potassium is also a useful mineral to combat leg cramps and can help balance sodium levels in the body.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the watermelon flesh and peel contain a starch called citrulline. The body turns it into arginine, thus promoting a protective vasodilating effect on the cardiovascular system.
When to eat watermelon
Since watermelon contains a lot of water, it is best not to eat it immediately after meals because water dilutes the gastric juices, thus slowing down digestion and eating it as a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack or after sports activity is recommended to replenish water and mineral salts.
People suffering from gastritis should be mindful about consuming this fruit: Reducing its intake, in this instance, is recommended. People with colitis should also reduce their watermelon intake as the seeds have laxative effects. Lastly, it is best not to let children under 3 eat watermelon because some of its substances may be hard to digest for young children.
