How nutritional are watermelon(s)?!
How nutritional are watermelon(s)?
Just curious as to know what "good stuff" is in watermelons, as far as nutrition value.
Answers:
FDA standards released in 1996 show that watermelons have become more nutritious than they once were. A two-cup serving has 10 fewer calories and more Vitamin A, fiber, calcium and iron. Watermelon is a good source of lycopene, which, recent medical research suggests, may help protect against certain forms of cancer. At 92% water, watermelon is the perfect treat in hot weather, replenishing body fluids lost in exercise. A survey by the National Watermelon Promotion Board Consumer Market Research conducted in September of 1996 shows that consumers are interested in watermelon's nutritional value and believe watermelons are a healthy alternative to processed snacks for their children. A two-cup serving of watermelon contains 80 calories, two grams of dietary fiber, 25% of the daily value of vitamin C, 20% of the daily value of vitamin A, 25 grams of sugar and 1 gram of protein
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname...
Watermelons are a great source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, and Calcium, they are also high in Dietary Fiber. They have no fat and no cholesterol and have only 80 calories per two-cup serving. They are also 92 % percent pure water, perfect for replenishing the body with fluids and nutrients.They are the perfect summertime treat for everyone.
Watermelons are also one of the leading sources of Lycopene, pronounced (LIKE-o-peen), second only to the Tomato. Lycopene is the natural pigment that gives tomatoes, watermelons and red grapefruit their color. Lycopene is a member of the large caroteniod family, there are over 700 hundred natural carotenoids that have been identified by scientists. But only a handful are found in human blood and tissue. Out of them lycopene is of the highest concentration.
Lycopene is strongly link to a reduced risk of developing various cancers, including prostate, colon and rectum. It is also linked to reduced heart attacks. A large new study of 1379 European men has indicted that those who consumed the most lycopene from foods were half as likely to suffer a heart attack as those who consumed the least lycopene.
So, as you can see, Watermelons are refreshing, sweet, healthy, and definitely fun to eat. They are in my opinion the best summertime treat available. They are without a doubt better than cookies, ice cream, candy or any other man-made treat. They are a natural gift from God that was meant for all of us to enjoy. So, EAT MORE WATERMELON!
I hope this aids in you question friend.
VITAMIN C I KNOW THAT, BUT LIKE ALMOST 98% WATER
Watermelon
Watermelon is an all-American favorite for meals and snacks. People can't seem to get enough of the sweet treat, and nutritionists have long appreciated the health benefits of watermelon. In fact, the American Heart Association recently recognized watermelon's nutritional properties by giving it the "heart healthy" seal of approval. Now research has shed new light on its potential health benefits.
Watermelon contains high concentrations of lycopene that may help reduce the risks of prostate cancer. A study conducted by Harvard University researchers found that men who ate lycopene-rich diets of tomatoes and tomato products had a much lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
According to the USDA Caratenoid Database, Watermelon is the Leader in Lycopene among fresh fruits and vegetables. And, it's functional! Watermelon is fat free, nutritionally low in calories and considered an ideal diet food, and is high in energy, making it a great energy boost! Nutrients in watermelon include vitamins A, B6, C!
Watermelon is practically a multi-vitamin unto itself. With a 2-cup serving of watermelon containing excellent levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, this product contains a number of nutrients that are vital to good health.
Vitamin A found in watermelon is important for optimal eye health, can help prevent nightblindness, and boosts immunity by enhancing the infection-fighting actions of white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Vitamin B6 found in watermelon is used by the body to manufacture brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, which preliminary research shows may help the body cope with anxiety and panic.
Vitamin C in watermelon can help to bolster the immune system's defenses against infections and viruses and can protect a body from harmful free radicals that can accelerate aging and conditions such as cataracts.
A two-cup serving of watermelon is also a source of potassium, a mineral necessary for water balance and found inside of every cell. People with low potassium levels can experience muscle cramps.
Keep Watermelons out of the Fridge
In the study, researchers analyzed the carotenoid content in several varieties of red-fleshed watermelon stored 14 days at three different temperatures: 70 degrees (room temperature in an air-conditioned home), 55 degrees, and 41 degrees (similar to a refrigerator).
Compared with freshly picked fruit, the results showed lycopene levels increased up to 40% and beta carotene levels jumped up to 139% in watermelon stored at room temperature.
In contrast, levels of these nutrients remained about the same in watermelons stored at lower temperatures.
Researchers say the average shelf life of watermelons after harvest is 14-21 days if stored at 55 degrees. But decay occurs after as little as a week when stored at refrigerator temperatures of around 41 degrees.
Watermelon is the Lycopene Leader in fresh produce, having higher concentrations of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. In fact, fresh watermelon contains higher levels of lycopene than fresh tomatoes - a 2-cup serving of watermelon contains and average of 18.16 mg and one medium-sized tomato contains 4 mg. Watermelon has heart healthy properties because it is naturally low in saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol.
Watermelon Is Practically A Multivitamin Unto Itself. A 2-cup serving of watermelon is an excellent source of Vitamins A, B6 and C.
Vitamin A found in watermelon is important for optimal eye health.
Vitamin B6 found in watermelon is used by the body to manufacture brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, which preliminary research shows may help the body cope with anxiety and panic.
Vitamin C in watermelons can help to bolster your immune system's defenses against infections and viruses and is known to stimulate the immune system and protect against free radical damage.
Potassium
A two-cup serving of watermelon is also a source of potassium*, a mineral necessary for water balance and found inside of every cell. People with low potassium levels can experience muscle cramps. A two-cup serving has less than 10 percent of the daily reference value for potassium
Nutritional Information Chart
http://www.watermelon.org/watermelon_nut...
Watermelon, as the name suggests, is almost all water, and therefore not a nutritionally dense food. Enjoy it as a delicious treat, but don't look for it to supply significant sources of any nutritionally essential components.
Watermelons are great for the digestive system