More than Water in Watermelon

Watermelon is not only refreshing but it is also good for health. Watermelon is 92 percent water but a good source of vitamin A that helps maintain normal vision, keeps skin and hair glossy, and promotes growth.
It is also a good source of vitamin C that boosts the body’s ability to fight infection and helps keep gums healthy. It is an antioxidant, protecting body cells from damage by free radicals.
One cup or one slice of watermelon about 140 grams provides 140 micrograms of beta-carotene and 9.8 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C. This is a good 13 percent of Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI) of a normal adult.
It is low in calories, yet gives the feeling of fullness. A cup or slice of watermelon has only 43 kilocalories.
Recent studies indicate that watermelon contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that appears to help prevent heart disease. Lycopene is also found in tomatoes and pink grapefruit.
A person should eat more vegetables, fruits, and rootcrops according to the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos in 2000 developed by a technical working group led by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology.
Reference: www.dost.gov.ph (Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso, S&T Media Service