Watermelon is a refreshing and delicious fruit that is well known all over the world. With its sweet and juicy taste, it is a good source of vitamins and nutrients. It is also a food that contains a specific number of calories. For those who watch their calorie intake, it is important to know this number.
What is watermelon?
Watermelon is a summer fruit that originated in Africa, but is now found all over the world. It is a member of the cucurbit family and is related to other fruits such as melons and cucumbers. This fruit has a green skin and juicy red flesh that contains black seeds. Watermelon is often considered a water fruit because of its high liquid content, which occupies 92% of its total weight.
Watermelon is a rich source of important nutrients, including ascorbic acid, vitamin A and potassium. It is also rich in antioxidants such as lycopene, beta-carotene and citrulline. These nutrients play an important role in the fight against degenerative and chronic diseases.
The benefits of watermelon
Watermelon offers many health benefits due to its wide range of nutrients. First of all, it helps to fight against cardiovascular diseases. The fruit contains lycopene and citrulline, which can help reduce blood pressure and promote healthy blood vessel function. This can help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Citrulline is converted to arginine once in the body. Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is an important compound for cardiovascular health. It helps to increase the diameter of the blood vessels and thus reduce blood pressure.
In addition, watermelon contains antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and lycopene. These help to combat inflammation. In addition, thanks to these constituents, watermelon is a fruit that helps to fight against chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
Finally, note that watermelon is a fruit that helps fight indigestion. Indeed, it is composed of a multitude of fibers which allow to improve digestion and to avoid constipation. It also contains enzymes that act on digestion to facilitate the absorption of food. It is also a fruit that helps fight certain cancers.
How many calories are in watermelon contain and what are its other characteristics?
Although it has a sweet taste, watermelon is relatively low in calories. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), one cup (152 grams) of cubed watermelon contains about 46 calories. In other words, if you take a medium-sized serving of watermelon, about 300 grams, you will have a calorie intake of 92 calories.
It is important to note that the calorie composition of watermelon can vary depending on its ripeness and size. Ripe watermelons generally have a higher sugar content. This may increase their calorie content slightly. In addition, larger watermelons tend to be higher in calories than smaller ones. This deduction is due to the fact that they are richer in flesh.
Apart from its health benefits and low calorie content, watermelon has other special features. More than 92% of watermelon is liquid. This makes it an excellent source of hydration during the hot dry seasons.
In addition to this, watermelon is also a very versatile food. It can be eaten raw or cooked, cubed or sliced. It can also be used as an ingredient in smoothies, salads and desserts. Watermelon seeds can also be roasted and eaten as a healthy, crunchy snack.
Watermelon is a tasty and refreshing fruit with many health benefits. It is rich in ascorbic acid, vitamin A, antioxidants and potassium. It is also a fruit that is very low in calories. Eating watermelon can help maintain adequate hydration. It can also help improve blood circulation due to its citrulline content. In addition, watermelon is versatile and can be eaten in many different ways. It is a great choice for those looking to eat healthily while enjoying a sweet and savoury taste.
