Watermelon: calories, vitamins, fiber ... All you need to know about this fruit
Watermelon is a fruit that is as rich as it is delicious. Naturally rich in the goodness of elements, it is often preferred during nutritional rebalancing. How many calories do you provide? What is the fiber content it contains? Here's everything you need to know about the summer star.
It's a large, fragrant, sweet orange fruit...do you have it? Of course: it's a watermelon! This summer fruit is very popular, both for its flavors and for its benefits. In fact, watermelon has many nutritional benefits.
But above all, it is necessary to re-establish the truth: a watermelon is not a fruit. It belongs to the cucurbit family, just like zucchini or pumpkin. However, its sweet taste is often mystifying. It can be eaten as an appetizer and as a dessert, which is much better, because watermelon is a true ally of our health.
Watermelon is a low-calorie fruit
And for good reason: Watermelon is made up of 90% water. It allows us to quench our thirst, without having to put on weight. It can also be helpful for us in maintaining our hydration level. Watermelon may be relatively sweet, but it is not very high in calories. According to the Research and Information
Agency on Fruits and Vegetables (Aprifel), watermelon (here cantaloupe or Charentais) provides an average of 62 calories per 100 grams. It contains more calories than watermelon (38.90 calories per 100 grams), but it is still very popular with lovers of lightness.
Energy intake is not the only nutritional value of watermelon to highlight. This fruit contains very little fat (less than 0.5 grams per 100 grams), which is more commonly called fat. Thus watermelon is relatively low in saturated fatty acids, which "tend to promote cholesterol deposits in the arteries" and which can increase the "risk of cardiovascular disease," the VIDAL website notes.
Watermelon is fat-free, but has a slightly higher carb content than other fresh fruits. Thus these sugars are found at 14.80 grams per 100 grams of watermelon, versus 11.31 grams per 100 grams on average. Despite this, watermelon is a fruit that can be eaten even if you keep an eye on your streak.
Watermelon is rich in fiber and vitamins
Watermelon has many other aspects that make it particularly interesting from a nutritional point of view. First of all, it is a source of vitamins that should not be overlooked. Watermelon is rich in beta-carotene, which is the main raw material for vitamin A, thus providing 416.67 micrograms per 100 grams. B vitamins are also present, especially vitamin B9 or folic acid. For 100 grams of watermelon, there is 58.90 mcg of vitamin B9, which plays an "essential role in the production of genetic material" according to the National Health Security Agency (ANSES).
Thus, watermelon is naturally rich in vitamins, but also contains proteins: it contains 1.13 grams per 100 grams. This is more than the average content found in other fresh fruits, which is 0.93 grams per 100 grams. Finally, we note that watermelon contains many minerals and trace elements necessary for our body. Among them we find potassium up to 380 mg per 100 grams. The MSD Manual states that potassium is "necessary for the normal function of cells, nerves, and muscles." So it is necessary for our body.
Watermelon can be eaten if you want to lose some weight. In fact, it has a relatively correct fiber content (1.30 g per 100 g). The health benefits of fiber are well-established: a high-fiber diet has many advantages, such as preventing weight gain and ensuring you feel full.
Watermelon: There are different types
Low in calories and rich in good nutrients, watermelon is therefore one of the summer fruits. It can be sampled from mid-June to mid-October. In order to diversify the pleasure, you can turn to other types of melon: yellow, white, or even green, each one knows how to be appreciated thanks to its unique little taste. But whatever its color, watermelon remains an ally for slimming. It remains an ally of the line, ensuring optimal hydration, but does not lose its delicious sweet flavors. Now that you know all about watermelon, all you have to do is have fun!
