WATERMELON: NUTRITION FACTS, HISTORY, BENEFITS

Watermelons are a member of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae.
Watermelons can be classed as both a fruit and a vegetable.
It is a fruit as it grows from a seed, has a sweet refreshing flavour, and considered a type of melon.
It is a vegetable as it is a member of the same family as the cucumber, pumpkin and squash.
Watermelon may only be made up of water and sugar but is a nutrient dense food.
It provides a high amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for a low amount of calories.
Watermelon is available during peak summer.
It is also harvested and cleared from fields like other vine growing vegetables.
The refreshing quality and sweet taste help to combat the heat.
It also provides a guilt-free, cheap dessert for kids and adults.
There are five common types of watermelon:

The watermelon is the official state vegetable of Oklahoma.
All parts of a watermelon can be eaten, even the rind, which contains many nutrients.
The rind can be used as a vegetable and stir-fried, stewed or pickled.
There are more than 1200 varieties of watermelon that come in various weights, shapes, sizes and colour.

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