Superfood: Health Benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon contains about 92 percent water, making it a good thirst quencher and diuretic. It also consists of about twelve percent fiber and is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A because of its beta carotene. High intakes of vitamin C and beta-carotene have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, improve asthma conditions, reduce the risk of colon cancer, and alleviate some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Watermelon is also a very concentrated source of the carotenoid lycopene, which has antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties.