Watermelon Nutrition Facts

Watermelons serve as a perfect summer delight with its sweet and refreshing taste. But not many are aware of the various health benefits it offers. Scroll down for watermelon nutrition facts...
Watermelons are found in all parts of the world and are relished by one and all. Although they are seen in the markets all throughout the year, summer is the perfect season that brings out the real taste of the watermelon. The crunchy and watery flesh of watermelons is highly refreshing and thirst quenching. Native to South Africa, watermelons, have traveled all around the world, and today are cultivated in many countries with a temperate or tropical climate. Scientifically known as Citrullus lanatus, watermelons belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, along with pumpkins, squashes and cucumbers. There are different varieties of watermelons that differ in colors as well as sizes, such as yellow crimson watermelon, Carolina cross, Orangeglo. Melitopolski, etc. Apart from its thirst quenching property, watermelon is packed with loads of health benefits. Let us have a look at watermelon nutrition facts.

Watermelons Nutrition Facts and Information

The following table states the watermelon nutrition facts and values, per 100 grams of edible portion.

Nutrient Nutritional Value
Carbohydrate 7.55 gm
Protein 0.61 gm
Fats 0.15 gm
Total Dietary Fiber 0.4 gm
Sugars 6.20 gm
Calcium 8 mg
Iron 0.17mg
Potassium 116 mg
Sodium 2 mg
Magnesium 11 mg
Phosphorus 9 mg
Fluoride 1.5 mg
Vitamin A 569 IU
Vitamin B1 0.033 mg
Vitamin B2 0.021 mg
Vitamin B5 0.221 mg
Vitamin B6 0.045 mg
Vitamin B9 3 mcg
Vitamin C 9.6 mg
Water 91.45 gm
Energy 30 kcal

Watermelon Health Benefits

After reading about watermelon's nutrition facts and information, it is time to learn something about watermelon health benefits. Watermelon is loaded with a lot of healthy nutrients. Following are some health facts about watermelons.
  • About 90% of watermelon consists of water. It is a great alternative to caffeine containing energy drinks, to keep you hydrated throughout the day.
  • Watermelon is an excellent source of nature's most powerful antioxidants. It is rich in carotenoids like, lycopene, lutein, phytoene, phytofluene, beta-carotene and neurosporene, which are antioxidants in nature, that neutralize free radicals and help in keeping cancer, asthma, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases away.
  • It has high calcium content, that helps in maintaining good bone health. Vitamin C and beta-carotene, present in watermelons, help in the production of collagen, which holds the muscles and bones together and strengthens them.
  • Watermelon is loaded with vitamin C which helps in boosting the immune system and making us resistant against several diseases and infections.
  • Vitamin A in watermelon helps in preventing night blindness and is important for good eye health. Research shows that, eating watermelons can be far more healthy for your eyes than eating carrots. It can also protect against macular degeneration, in simple words, loss of vision.
  • Watermelon contains amino acid, citrulline, that is used by our body to make arginine, another amino acid, that removes ammonia from the body.
  • It provides us with electrolytes like sodium and potassium, that are often lost through perspiration.
  • The high vitamin B6 content of watermelons makes it a good brain food, as it helps to synthesize brain chemicals that are needed for regulation of sleep pattern and relieving stress.
  • Watermelon is a good source of potassium, needed to cope with muscle strain and cramps. It helps in preventing sore muscles.
This was all about watermelon nutrition facts. Eat it whole or add it to drinks and smoothies, watermelon serves as a perfect snack for a hot summer day. Hope you found the above watermelon nutrition information and facts interesting!
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Published: 4/23/2010
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