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Watermelon Health Facts |
A Natural Hydrator
Watermelon is 92% water and a great way to bolster hydration.
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Cancer and Heart Disease Prevention
Vitamin C
A 2-cup serving of watermelon is an excellent source of Vitamin C, which is believed to have immune-building potential as well as the ability to protect against cancer, heart disease and other life-threatening diseases.
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Lycopene
The National Cancer Institute estimates that as many as one in three cancer deaths are diet-related. Preliminary research with processed tomatoes and tomato products shows that lycopene may play a preventive role with certain types of cancer, as well as against heart disease. Watermelon contains 15-20 mg of lycopene per 2-cup serving (even greater than fresh tomatoes).
Get Your Lycopene Naturally!
Watermelon gets its red color from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Quite often, when people think of lycopene, they think tomatoes, when in fact, fresh watermelon contains higher levels of lycopene than fresh tomatoes—a 2 cup serving of watermelon contains 18.16 mg and one medium size fresh tomato contains 4 mg.
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Why Should We Consume Lycopene?
Lycopene is a carotenoid and pigment that gives fruits and vegetables their red color. Researchers report that carotenoids may act as antioxidants that protect cells from oxygen-related damage that can result from regular cell functions. There have been a number of studies that have drawn a correlation between lycopene and the possible prevention of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
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A recent study concluded that men who ate lycopene-rich diets had a much lower risk of developing certain cancers, especially prostate cancer. In addition, another recent report indicates that women with the highest lycopene levels had a five-fold lower risk of developing pre-cancerous signs of cervical cancer than women with the lowest lycopene levels.
Other preliminary studies with processed tomatoes and tomato products show that lycopene’s antioxidant capacity may prevent against hardening of the arteries, a risk factor for heart disease. And, in Europe, researchers have found a statistically significant association between high dietary lycopene and a 48% lower risk of heart disease.
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Watermelon Contains More Lycopene than Fresh Tomatoes
Watermelon is the lycopene leader in fresh produce!
An Excellent Source of Vitamins A, B6, and C
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Watermelon is high in vitamin C, to help protect against cancer and heart disease, help protect against infections and viruses, and help stimulate your immune system.
Watermelon is high in vitamin A, to help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and for optimal eye health.
Watermelon is high in vitamin B6, which may help the body cope with anxiety.
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Eating Your “5 A Day”
It’s already known that fruits and vegetables provide a whole host of nutrients recommended under established dietary guidelines. It is important to get nutrients from a balance of foods, including fruits and vegetable, as often as possible.
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The Produce for Better Health Foundation and American Cancer Institute’s ACIR Report indicates people who eat five or more servings of fruit and vegetables every day have half the risk of developing cancer as those who only eat one or two servings per day. That’s a very good reason to eat fruit and vegetables.
Source Information: National Watermelon Promotion Board, www.watermelon.org
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