Watermelon

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a heavy oval shaped fruit with a hard and thick outer skin, red inner flesh, and small black seeds. Some varieties come without the little seeds, which can be a nuisance when eating watermelon.

 

 

Health Benefits of Watermelon: Natural vitmains, minerals, and nutrients found in Watermelon: Carbohydrates | Vitamin A | Vitamin C |

How to choose Watermelon: Watermelon can be picked by knocking on the outer skin and listening for a hollow sound.

Climate and origin: Watermelon is thought to have originated from the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa. A fruit notorious for growing in hot climates with little water, watermelon is hearty and will grow almost anywhere warm.

Taste: Watermelon has a very sweet taste and mushy texture.

Miscellaneous information: One of the most hybridized fruits, watermelons can be found with yellow or orange flesh, and even with a purple black skin. Although seedless varieties of watermelon exist, the seeds are edible and very high in iron.

Similar tasting produce: Cantaloupe, Honeydew

• Increased Protection from Bacterial and Viral Infections
• Increased Immune Function
• Reducing Cancer Risk
• Protection Against Heart DiseaseWatermelon is high in the carotenoid lycopene which is thought to be beneficial for preventing cancer.
  *Some of these health benefits are due to the nutrients highly concentrated in Watermelon, and may not necessarily be related to Watermelon.