Sports drink by Chrissy Carroll

chrissy-carrol-wm-slice-2-sideview - watermelon wedges with girl eating watermelonBy Guest Blogger Chrissy Carroll, MPH, RD, LDN, ACSM-cPT, USAT Level I Triathlon Coach, RRCA Certified Running Coach

You know that watermelon is sweet, juicy, and refreshing – but did you also know that it’s good for your body? This sweet treat deserves a spot in your kitchen year-round thanks to its taste and nutrition. From hydration to Vitamin C and everything in between, check out five reasons to eat more watermelon:

1. Helps you hydrate.

Every part of your body needs water to work properly, so it’s important to stay hydrated. While sipping from your water bottle regularly is essential, you can also meet some of your hydration needs through fluid-rich foods. At 92 percent water by weight, watermelon is a delicious way for you to hydrate, whether fresh, juiced, or blended in a smoothie.

2. Part of a balanced diet for weight management.

Fruit – especially watermelon – is often called out for its sugar content, with some people claiming it will lead to weight gain. While it’s true that you should avoid excess added sugar, the naturally occurring sugar in fruit comes packaged with many nutrients and is typically not linked to weight gain.

On the contrary, the CDC suggests that using more fruits and vegetables is a healthy way to help with weight management. Because watermelon is a high-volume food with just 80 calories in two cups, it can help fill you up at meals.

3. Provides Vitamin C.

Vitamin C helps support immune health, functions as an antioxidant in the body, and is involved in the formation of collagen.

Watermelon provides Vitamin C to help you meet your daily needs. In fact, two cups provide 25 percent of the daily value. Mix other good sources into your diet too – like citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, and white potatoes – and you’ll be on your way to meeting your daily target.

4. Supplies lycopene.

Lycopene is a powerful plant carotenoid. A true lycopene leader, watermelon contains 12.7 mg per 2-cup serving – more than any other fresh fruit or vegetable commonly eaten in the United States.

Fat in your meals helps increase lycopene absorption¹, so try one of these tasty recipes that combine watermelon with healthy fats:

 

5. Contributes carbs to fuel your workouts.

Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of fuel during intense exercise. If you’re active (and we all should be!), it’s important to eat a balanced diet that provides enough carbohydrates to support your activities.

Watermelon provides 21 grams (8% DV) natural carbohydrates to fuel your fitness, along with health-promoting vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Consider…

  • Eating watermelon as part of a pre-workout snack to provide carbohydrates to support your upcoming sweat session.
  • Juicing watermelon to drink for hydration and fuel during a long endurance workout (just add a pinch of salt to help replace the sodium you lose when sweating).
  • Eating watermelon after a tough workout to help restock your muscles with glycogen (the carbohydrates that are stored as energy in the muscles). Don’t forget to add in a good post-workout protein source too!

The Final Word

Any way you slice it, watermelon is a nutrient-dense food that you can feel confident stocking in your kitchen. For creative ways to prepare and cook watermelon, be sure to check out these tasty recipes.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7996133/