25 Amazing and Interesting Facts about Watermelon | Amazing Facts 4U
- Wild watermelons originated in southern Africa. The watermelon can be classed as both a fruit and a vegetable.
- It is a fruit because it grows from a seed and is loosely considered a type of melon. It is a vegetable because it is a member of the same family as the cucumber, pumpkin.
- There are more than 1200 varieties of watermelon that come in various weights, shapes, sizes, and red, orange, yellow, or white in color.
- China is the world’s largest producer of watermelons easily beating the second-largest producer Turkey by more than 20 times.
- The watermelon is the official state vegetable of Oklahoma. The month of July is called Watermelon Month because watermelon production in this month is at its peak.
- Amazingly watermelons can grow in desert land in spite of being water-rich.
- Farmers in Japan have started growing cube-shaped watermelons by growing them in glass boxes where they assume the shape of the box making it easier to stack. The novelty of the cubic watermelon can fetch a double price.
- The ripe watermelon can be picked up by a pale, buttery yellow spot (not white or green) on the bottom. This is where the watermelon sits on the ground ripening, and it’s one of the best indicators of ripeness. The ripe watermelons are also heavy for their size.
- By weight, a watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water. it doesn’t contain any fat or cholesterol.
- Remember that a medium-size watermelon has about 180 gm fructose and recommended daily fructose intake is less than 25 gms.
- The high water and electrolyte content of watermelons make them ideal as a refreshing summer drink. They keep us hydrated, our skin fresh, and can clean the kidneys of toxins.
- Nutritionally, watermelons contain high levels of vitamin B6 (Good for the brain), Vitamin A (good for eyesight), Potassium (Good for the heart). It also contains Vitamin B1, C, and manganese.
- Lycopene is a powerful carotenoid that gives fruits and vegetables a pink or red color usually associated with tomatoes. Compared to large fresh tomato, one cup of watermelon has actually 1.5 times the lycopene (6 mg in watermelon compared to 4 mg in a tomato).
- Lycopene’s antioxidant activity has long been recognized to be more powerful than that of other carotenoids, such as beta-carotene. Lycopene in watermelon helps prevent strokes and has anti-cancer properties. Lycopene also gives protection against UV rays.
- All parts of a watermelon can be eaten, even the rind, which is also nutrient-rich. In China though, the rind is commonly used as a vegetable.
- Black watermelon seeds are also edible and contain iron, zinc, protein, and fiber.
- A study has found that men who drank natural watermelon juice prior to their workouts had reduced muscle soreness 24 hours later due to Citrulline, an amino acid that seems to protect against muscle pain. In fact, Citrulline is found more in the rind than in the pink flesh. Besides Citrulline is converted to amino acid L-arginine in kidneys and is important for heart health and maintaining the immune system.
- Watermelon may also prevent heart attacks by reducing blood pressure. In our body, the citrulline is converted into L-arginine, which is a precursor to nitric oxide which is required to enable your blood vessels to stay relaxed and open for blood flow lowering blood pressure.
- Watermelon has anti-inflammatory properties due to antioxidant lycopene as well as triterpenoid (Vit E Derivative) which reduces the activity of the pain and inflammation-causing enzyme cyclooxygenase.
- Watermelon helps in flushing out kidney stones and prevents stone formation as well due to its richness in water, Potassium, Lycopene, and Nitric Oxide. Because of its diuretic nature, urine frequency is increased and aids in throwing out stones that are dissolved by the Potassium of the fruit.
- Watermelons show the astringent quality that helps in glowing skin and good for a beauty treatment. It neutralizes free radicals helping cure wrinkles, pimples, and scars. It is useful for damaged skin.
- L-arginine may also help with erectile dysfunction by helping to relax the concerned blood vessels. Watermelon is sometimes referred to as “Nature’s Viagra.”
- In China and Japan, watermelon is a popular gift.
- Amazingly in Egypt, it was a custom to keep watermelons in the burial tombs of kings so that they keep nourishing their souls after their life.
- The Guinness World Record for heaviest watermelon is for one grown by Chris Kent of Sevierville weighing about 159 kg.
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