Have you ever seen a yellow watermelon? Have you ever tasted one? This type of watermelon may sound like a made-up fruit, but it’s real. Not only is yellow watermelon perfect for satiating a sweet tooth in hot weather, it also offers many health benefits. If you want to learn more about this fruit, give this article a read.
Yellow Watermelon: What is It?
Yellow watermelon doesn’t look much different from regular red watermelon, except for the fact that it is bright yellow. Its colour is easily explainable; the watermelon has a genetic mutation which causes it to produce low levels of lycopene, the compound which gives fruits and vegetables their vibrant red colour. Believe it or not, yellow watermelons were cultivated in Africa well before the were commercialised and bred to contain a higher lycopene content.
Yellow watermelon is slightly sweeter than the red variety, with hints of apricot and honey in its flavour, but there are also other notable difference between the two. Yellow watermelon’s rind also extends deeper into the fruit.
Yellow Watermelon: Nutritional Value
Yellow watermelon contains many of the same nutritional values as red watermelon, but there are some differences. Yellow watermelon contains the daily suggested intake of vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as relative amounts of potassium and sodium. While red watermelon has ample amounts of lycopene, yellow watermelons are rich in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Yellow watermelons contain only 50 calories in a single cup-sized serving.
Here are more detailed nutritional facts about yellow watermelons:
- Iron: 2%
- Calcium: 1%
- Vitamin C: 21
- Vitamin A: 17%
- Cholesterol: 0 grams
- Sodium: 2 milligrams
- Potassium: 173 milligram
- Protein: 1 gram
- Sugar: 9 grams
- Dietary fibre: 1 gram
- Total carbohydrates: 11 grams
- Saturated fat: 0 grams
- Monounsaturated fat: 0 grams
- Polyunsaturated fat: 0 grams
- Total fat: 0 grams
- Calories: 46
Applications
There are various uses of the yellow watermelon, although they are largely the same as the red variety. The two have the same consistency, making the yellow fruit a great additive for smoothies and fruit salads. You may also use its juice for an amazingly sweet and nutritious beverage. They are good to eat raw, too.
Health Benefits of Yellow Watermelon
Here are some of the most staggering health benefits of yellow watermelon:
- Helps relieve asthma: yellow watermelon helps maintain and dilate the respiratory tract to prevent the recurrence of asthma. This is mainly because of its zinc and vitamin C content.
- Helps maintain blood pressure : regular consumption of yellow watermelon can help maintain blood pressure and keep your heart healthy.
- Helps protect the digestive system: the dietary fiber in the fruit helps accelerate digestion. This is one of the best health benefits of yellow watermelon.
- Helps strengthen bones: the protein, potassium and calcium content of yellow watermelon help strengthen and accelerate the growth of bones.
- Helps maintain eye health: the vitamin A content is important for eye health, increasing clarity in vision.
- Helps smooth blood vessels: its citrulline helps the body drain other compounds into the body and promotes a smooth flow through the blood vessels.
