Watermelon

A summertime favorite, watermelon is an excellent thirst quencher and fun meal to enjoy on a sun-drenched day. Eat it whole or blend it for an on-the-go day. An average-size watermelon measures 15 inches in length and 7½ inches in diameter and weighs 4518 grams.

More than 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown. These fruits range from less than 1 to more than 200 pounds, and the “meal” is red, orange, yellow or white. Watermelon is related to plants such as cantaloupe, squash and pumpkin that grow as vines on the ground.

Watermelon is rich in lycopene, containing almost twice as much as tomatoes, and contains 91 percent water by weight.

In the United States, farmers in 44 states grow watermelon commercially, with Georgia, Florida, Texas, California and Arizona the largest producers. This fruit is also a key crop in many tropical countries.

Stats for 100 Grams of Watermelon (Raw)

• 30 calories

Notable Nutrients

Percentages based on the Reference Daily Intake for a 2,000-calorie diet

• Vitamin C: 13.5%

Carbs/Protein/Fat

• Carbohydrates: 89.2%
• Protein: 6.7%
• Fat: 4.1%

Food Type

• Melon

Sources:

• http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2468?fg=&man=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=25&offset=&sort=&qlookup=watermelon
• http://www.cronometer.com
• http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2072/2
• http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/watermelon.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon

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