Watermelon is a delicious and refreshing fruit that’s also good for you.It contains only 46 calories per cup but is high in vitamin C, vitamin A and many healthy plant compounds.Here are the top 9 health benefits of eating watermelon
1. Helps You Hydrate
Drinking water is an important way to keep your body hydrated.However, eating foods that have a high water content can also help. Interestingly, watermelon is 92% water.
What’s more, a high water content is one of the reasons why fruits and vegetables help you feel full.The combination of water and fiber means you’re eating a good volume of food without a lot of calories.
2. Contains Nutrients and Beneficial Plant Compounds
As far as fruits go, watermelon is one of the lowest in calories — only 46 calories per cup (154 grams). That’s lower than even low-sugar fruits such as berries.
One cup (154 grams) of watermelon has many other nutrients as well, including these vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin C: 21% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
- Vitamin A: 18% of the RDI
- Potassium: 5% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 4% of the RDI
- Vitamins B1, B5 and B6: 3% of the RDI
Watermelon is also high in carotenoids, including beta-carotene and lycopene. Plus, it has citrulline, an important amino acid. Here’s an overview of watermelon’s most important antioxidants: