The watermelon plant is a climber or a trailer or a vine like structure, originally from South Africa. Scientifically known as the Citrullus lanatus, it belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. This fruit has a thick rind (exocarp)and has a soft edible pulp on the inside, usually with a lot of seeds. The sweet and juicy flesh ranges in color from pink, red to yellow.
Watermelon is a tasty and filling fruit, which is low on calories and has absolutely no fat. Though, it is mostly the pulp which is consumed, but the outer shell and seeds are also consumed in many countries. In many Asian countries, roasted watermelon seeds are eaten as a snack. The rind is used in the form of pickles, jams, etc.
• Watermelon is a rich source of lycopene (40% more than tomatoes), which is an antioxidant that helps fighting various heart diseases and prostate cancer
• A slice of watermelon meets your daily quota of Vitamin C
• Eating watermelon regularly helps fight infections, as they comprise of beta carotene, which the body uses to make Vitamin A. If the body does not have enough amounts of beta carotene, the body becomes more susceptible to viral infections and can also lead to problems related to vision
• Rich in potassium, watermelon help in soothing stress
• Eating watermelons also helps you in reducing weight, as it quenches cravings. High in liquid content, a bowl of watermelon makes you feel full and adds only 96 calories to your body
• High concentration of Vitamin B in the fruit, helps in producing necessary energy for the body