Want to quench thirst and re-boost your body with anti-oxidants lycopene and vitamin-A? Watermelon
has everything you need to beat the scorching summer heat. Wonderfully delicious, thirst-quenching
melons are the great source of much needed water and electrolytes to beat the tropical summer
temperatures. This fruit belongs to the family of Citrullus, and is related to the other plants such as
cantaloupe, squash, and pumpkin that grow as vines on the ground. It is widely grown across many
tropical countries where it is one of the major commercial crops.
Health benefits of Watermelon
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Rich in electrolytes and water content, melons are nature’s gift to beat tropical summer thirst.
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Watermelons are very low in calories just 30 calories and fats yet very rich source of numerous
health promoting nutrients and anti-oxidants that are essential for optimum health.

Watermelon is an excellent source of Vitamin-A, which is a powerful natural anti-oxidant. 100 g
fresh fruit provides 19% of daily-required levels of this vitamin. It is essential for vision and
immunity. Vitamin-A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin.
Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin-A is known to protect from lung and oral cavity
cancers.
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It is also rich in anti-oxidant flavonoids like lycopene, beta-carotene and lutein. These
antioxidants are found to be protective against colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and
pancreatic cancers. Phyto-chemicals present in watermelon like Lycopene have the ability to
help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen free radicals. Studies have also
shown that lycopene protects skin damage from UV rays and from prostate cancer.
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Watermelon is a good source of potassium; Potassium is an important component of cell and
body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure; thus offers protection against
stroke and coronary heart diseases.
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It also contains good amount of vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin (vitamin B-1), vitamin-C, and
manganese.
Fun Facts
•The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt.
•Watermelon is 92% water.
•Watermelon's official name is Citrullus of the botanical family. It is cousins to cucumbers, pumpkins
and squash.
•By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.
•Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
•The first cookbook published in the U.S. in 1776 contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.
•Updated! According to Guinness World Records, the world's heaviest watermelon was grown by Lloyd
Bright of Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 2005, weighing in at 268.8 lbs (121.93 kg). Lloyd grew and weighed in
for the Annual Hope, Arkansas Big Watermelon Contest on September 3, 2005.