This water-rich fruit, with the Latin name Citrullus lanatus, is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Watermelon also contains high concentrations of beta-carotene. Watermelon skin – especially red watermelon – also includes the phyto-nutrient citrulline, which is beneficial for health, such as increased blood flow throughout the body.
Watermelon pulp is about 92 percent consisting of water. The remaining 8% has the highest concentration of lycopene found in fresh fruit or vegetables, such as tomatoes. Lycopene is an antioxidant. In the body, antioxidants function to ward off free radicals to protect you from various risks of degenerative diseases, such as arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, cancer, and premature aging.