As most of the country bakes under a heat dome of record-setting temperatures, there’s one cool, refreshing treat that can help your body stay healthy and hydrated—watermelons. Since it is peak watermelon season and National Watermelon day is August 3, we thought we’d share a few fun facts about this so-called “fruit” that’s actually a vegetable.

Nutrition Facts

• One cup of watermelon provides 18% of your Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin A,  21% of Vitamin C and only 46 calories.
• The same one cup serving also provide small amounts (1-3% of RDAs) of the vitamins: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Nicin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid and (1-5% of RDAs) of these minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium.
• Watermelon contains more lycopene—a powerful antioxidant-- than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene is also the pigment that gives watermelon its bright red color.
• Since watermelon is about 92% water, it helps keep you hydrated on a hot day.

Fun Facts

• Did you know that watermelons were originally round? This posed a problem in transport and marketing as they were difficult to stack. Early watermelons were also more susceptible to some plant diseases. So, through selective breeding a new variety of watermelon dubbed the “Charleston Gray” was developed that was oval (stackable) and more disease resistant.
• Today, there are now over 1,200 varieties of watermelon grown worldwide.
• The largest watermelon ever grown weighed over 260 pounds.
• The longest flight of a watermelon seed propelled by human air-filled lungs is 68 feet 9 and 1/8 which was set aloft by Lee Wheelis in Luling, Texas in 1989.

Cool Recipe
Watermelon Pomegranate Green Tea
Ingredients
4 cups watermelon puree
2 cups pomegranate juice
4 cups strong prepared and chilled Green tea
1 cup white grape juice
1 serving ice

Instructions

Mix ingredients together in a large container (except ice) and chill well. Stir before serving and serve over ice.
Servings
Makes about 6 to 8 servings.

Sources:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

National Watermelon Board

Nutrition Data