Watermelon
Description: Watermelons can be round, oblong or spherical in shape and feature thick green rinds that are often spotted or striped. They range in size from a few pounds to upward of ninety pounds. The fruit ranges from orange to red and they can be seeded or seedless.
Availability: Summer and early fall
Facts: The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt. Over 1,200 varieties of watermelons are grown worldwide in 96 countries. Watermelon is 92% water. In 1990, Bill Carson of Arrington, TN grew the largest watermelon at 262 pounds that is still on the record books (1998 ed. Guinness Book of World Records).
Serving Size = 1 CUP 
Selection: Choose symmetrical watermelons with dried stems and yellowish undersides, heavy for size.
Storage: Store whole watermelons at room temperature. Refrigerate cut watermelons in airtight container for use within 5 days.
Nutrition Benefits: Fat free; saturated fat free; sodium free; cholesterol free;
high in vitamin A; high in vitamin C.
high in vitamin A; high in vitamin C.
Pigments: anthocyanins
Phytochemicals: Anthocyanidins, flavonols, flavones, proanthocyanidins, Ellagic acid, resveratrol
ORAC Score: 100
Reprinted with the permission of the Defeat Diabetes Foundation.
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