Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a member of the Cucurbitaceae
family of gourds and is related to the cucumber, squash, and pumpkin.
Watermelon flesh is ~91% water by weight.
Watermelon juice, as a beverage, is found almost exclusively as an
over-the-counter drink made by hand from the pink flesh of the
watermelon fruit. While, in some cultures such as those of Mexico and
India, such watermelon drinks are popular, in the United States and
elsewhere, watermelon juice drinks are rare, with commercially available
packaged watermelon juice drinks virtually unknown.
Watermelon is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B, amino
acid and also carotenoid lycopene. The red flesh of watermelon
contains some vitamin A. Watermelon is rich in vitamin B
that is primarily responsible for the production of energy in human
body. Hence, consuming watermelon can boost the energy levels.
Citrulline and arginine are amino acids found in watermelon and are
major components of the human nitrous oxide system and help regulate
many biochemical processes. Citrulline lacks biological importance on
its own but is transformed by the human body into arginine. Arginine is
used in the nitric oxide pathway to help in vasodilatation and overall
cardiovascular health.
Watermelons are also a good source of vitamin C with a cup (8
oz) of watermelon juice containing 20% of the daily value for
vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for humans because it
aids in the synthesis of collagen in addition to protecting
against oxidative damage.
The juice is believed to possess diuretic properties as it contains
β-carotene pigments like lycopene, and potassium, in fair
amounts.
Watermelon juice
