Nature

Why it is necessary to eat water-melons in summer

Watermelon is a fat free fruit and is a good source of vitamins A, B6 and C. It also contains Potassium and some plant phytochemicals that are antioxidants, like lycopene and citrulline. The lycopene content in watermelons is much more than what is found in tomatoes. Lycopene is what gives watermelon the pink, bright red and sometimes the deep red color. Lycopene is a very strong antioxidant that is responsible for reducing risk to cancer and many other diseases.

The mineral potassium benefits by lowering blood pressure and also aids the proper functioning of all body organs. The phytochemical citrulline benefits the heart and circulation.

It is estimated that 11/2 cups of watermelon contain about 9 to 13 grams of lycopene. A cup of watermelon contains 50 calories, 15 mg vitamin C, 585 IU vitamin A and 186 mg potassium. Though it is a healthy fruit as are other fruits, eating too much of watermelon can give rise to side effects.