By Dr. Mercola
In the US, July is National Watermelon Month, so named not only because a cool, refreshing slice of watermelon represents the epitome of summer, but also because watermelon harvests peak this month.
Watermelon is now the most-consumed melon in the US (followed by cantaloupe and honeydew). This cousin to cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash is thought to have originated in Egypt close to 5,000 years ago, where it is depicted in hieroglyphics.
Today, upwards of 300 watermelon varieties are grown in the US and Mexico (although only about 50 are popular). You may think you know everything there is to know about this summertime fruit, but allow me to surprise you… watermelon is more than just delicious… it’s a super-healthy addition to your diet (in moderation, of course).
You just need to be careful when eating any melon, including watermelon. Eat melon alone or leave it alone because it will make your stomach groan. So ideally, no food 30 minutes before or after eating melons. Here are 6 watermelon facts that might surprise you:
1. Watermelon Has More Lycopene Than Raw Tomatoes
Lycopene is a powerful carotenoid antioxidant that gives fruits and vegetables a pink or red color. It’s most often associated with tomatoes, but watermelon is actually a more concentrated source.
Compared to a large fresh tomato, one cup of watermelon has 1.5 times the lycopene (6 milligrams (mg) in watermelon compared to 4 mg in a tomato).
2. Watermelon Juice May Relieve Muscle Soreness
If you have a juicer, try juicing about one-third of a fresh watermelon and drinking its juice prior to your next workout. This contains a little over one gram of l-citrulline, an amino acid that seems to protect against muscle pain.
One study found that men who drank natural unpasteurized watermelon juice prior to their workouts had reduced muscle soreness 24 hours later compared to those who drank a placebo.
You do need to be careful with drinking watermelon juice, though, as it contains a significant amount of fructose. It may be better to eat the entire fruit, or opt for these other tips to prevent muscle soreness.
3. Watermelon Is A Fruit and A Vegetable
Remember how watermelon is related to cucumbers, pumpkin, and squash? That’s because it’s part vegetable and part fruit (it’s a sweet, seed-producing plant, after all). The other clue that watermelon is both fruit and vegetable? The rind is entirely edible…
4. You Can Eat Watermelon Rind And Seeds
Most people throw away the watermelon rind, but try putting it in a blender with some lime for a healthy, refreshing treat. Not only does the rind contain plenty of health-promoting and blood-building chlorophyll, but the rind actually contains more of the amino acid citrulline than the pink flesh.
Citrulline is converted to arginine in your kidneys, and not only is this amino acid important for heart health and maintaining your immune system, but it has been researched to have potential therapeutic value in over 100 health conditions.
While many people prefer seedless watermelon varieties, black watermelon seeds are edible and actually quite healthy. They contain iron, zinc, protein, and fiber. (In case you were wondering, seedless watermelons aren’t genetically modified, as they’re the result of hybridization.)
5. It’s Mostly Water
This might not be surprising, but it’s still a fun fact; watermelon is more than 91 percent water. This means that eating watermelon with you on a hot summer day is a tasty way to help you stay hydrated and avoid dehydration (it’s not a substitute for drinking plenty of fresh water, however).
6. Some Watermelon Are Yellow
The Yellow Crimson watermelon has yellow flesh with a sweeter, honey flavor than the more popular pink-fleshed Crimson Sweet. It’s likely that yellow watermelon offers its own unique set of nutritional benefits, but most research to date has focused on the pink-fleshed varieties.
By James Colquhoun (Filmmaker, Food Matters & Hungry For Change)
I first experienced watermelon kefir from David Wolfe! This quickly became my favorite watermelon recipe. Super hydrating, packed with electrolytes, antioxidants and probiotics. So simple to make and will really make your skin glow!
Ingredients:
- Fresh watermelon juice (1 liter)
- 2-3 probiotic capsules
- 1 shot coconut kefir
Method:
Add all ingredients into a large, clean glass jar with the lid on but allowing to breathe. Depending on room temperature this might take about 12-24 hours to ferment (less time in the warmer weather). Leave overnight in a dark cupboard and check in the morning, the mixture should be slightly fizzy. Blend the mixture and enjoy over ice while soaking up some warm summer sun!
What's Your Favorite Way To Enjoy This Summer Fruit?
FAQs
Japanese geneticists made seedless watermelons in the 1930s by exposing watermelon seeds to chemicals that doubled their usual pair of chromosomes, and by crossing those with pollen from a regular watermelon.
How did watermelon change over time? ›
The painting, which was auctioned last year at Christie's, captures the watermelon in the midst of domestication from its wild form, which originated in Africa. Over time, watermelons were bred to have different shapes, fewer seeds, more water and sugar, and that rich, red flesh.
Can eating watermelon replace drinking water? ›
Fruits are an excellent source for water. Watermelon is 90% water, so it ranks highest on the list. Oranges, grapefruit, and melons like cantaloupe and honeydew are also strong contenders. Vegetables, though not as full of water as fruit, can also provide a nutrient-rich water source.
What color were watermelons originally? ›
Early watermelons were not sweet, but bitter, with yellowish-white flesh. They were also difficult to open. The modern watermelon, which tastes sweeter and is easier to open, was developed over time through selective breeding.
How are watermelons modified? ›
These watermelons are created by crossing a common diploid watermelon (two copies of each chromosome, just like most humans) with a tetraploid watermelon (which has four copies). Each plant passes on half its genetic information, so the prodigy ends up with three pairs of chromosomes and no viable seeds.
What is a unique fact about watermelon? ›
100% of a watermelon is edible, including the seeds and the rind. This means watermelon is a zero food waste food. The green skin is even edible but certainly it needs to be cooked. Browse our recipes for unique and creative ways to use the whole watermelon, flesh, juice and rind.
What are 2 facts about watermelon? ›
Watermelon contains vitamin C, potassium and magnesium. Watermelons are 92% water and 8% sugar. They can grow with or without seeds. Watermelons are in the same gourd family as squash and cucumbers.
What are the 6 essential nutrients in watermelon? ›
The fruit is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, lycopene, antioxidants, and amino acids. Amongst electrolytes, watermelon has a considerable amount of potassium content.
Why watermelon changed? ›
Farmers selectively bred watermelons that had a little sweetness until they became sweeter and sweeter like today. It turns out the color of watermelons was controlled by the same gene that controlled watermelon sweetness.
Does watermelon change taste? ›
When a watermelon goes past its prime it becomes mealy, may develop cavities around the seeds and the taste may be unappetizing. Another possible culprit of bad watermelon may be from fungal disease exposure to the plant during growth that can inhibit proper sugar develop in the melon.
Conclusions The diverse evidence, combined, indicates that northeastern Africa is the centre of origin of the dessert watermelon, that watermelons were domesticated for water and food there over 4000 years ago, and that sweet dessert watermelons emerged in Mediterranean lands by approximately 2000 years ago.
What not to eat after watermelon? ›
Actually, watermelon contains vitamin C and when you eat milk products after it, they react with each other and cause bloating. In this way, they harm the digestive system and can cause indigestion. Consuming protein-rich foods after eating watermelon can be harmful for you.
Why does my stomach hurt after eating watermelon? ›
That's because it's packed with fructose, a natural sugar that is tough on our GI system because it's hard for it to be completely absorbed. That causes gas, and sometimes an upset stomach in some people. If you fall into that category, try trading watermelon for cantaloupe.
Can dogs eat watermelon? ›
Good news: Your pooch can eat watermelon. However, this does come with precautions, according to the American Kennel Club. First, the watermelon must be seedless or you should remove the seeds before giving it to your pet. The seeds could lead to an intestinal blockage, so be sure that you pick a seedless watermelon.
What are the benefits of a genetically modified watermelon? ›
Disease resistance: Genetically modified watermelons can be engineered to be more resistant to certain diseases and pests, which can help reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides.
What did watermelons evolve from? ›
Our analysis showed that the closest relative to the domesticated watermelon is the Kordofan melon (C. lanatus subsp. cordophanus) from Sudan in North East Africa. The wild, and possible ancestor, Kordofan melon has a white non-bitter pulp.
How did watermelon look before GMO? ›
Paintings of watermelons (as well as actual watermelon seeds) have been discovered in Egyptian tombs built more than 4,000 years ago, including the tomb of King Tut. Early watermelons likely didn't have the popular red flesh we know today. They were paler with less flesh and more seeds.
Why did scientists GMO watermelon? ›
Introducing these genes into cultivated watermelons could yield high-quality, sweet watermelons that are able to grow in more diverse climates, important as climate change increasingly challenges farmers. The research, supported by NSF, results are published in Nature Genetics .
2. Watermelon Juice May Relieve Muscle Soreness
