The Garden Shed

Health Benefits Found From Watermelon

By Michelle Casella, Agricultural Agent
Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
Cooperative Extension, Gloucester County

Watermelon is a popular fruit with all age groups, especially children. It is not hard to imagine why. Anyone who has tasted a good watermelon knows why this food is so popular. Watermelon is found to have the highest concentrations of Lycopene compared to other fruits and vegetables. Over the past decade we have learned about Lycopene from promotion of tomatoes and tomato products. Lycopene provides health benefits related to prostrate, bone, and skin health. Lycopene is an antioxidant, which appears to prevent the formation of harmful by-products of metabolism called free radicals that can lead to certain chronic diseases like cancer. Research around the world has also shown reduction in bone loss, internal protection from sunburn, and increased sperm concentration in males with infertility problems when Lycopene intake is increased through eating watermelon, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. .

Now there are more reasons why we should all be eating watermelon. The USDA has sent out a news release entitled “Watermelon Serves Up Medically Important Amino Acid” that summarizes a research study published in the Elsevier Nutritional Journal entitled “Watermelon Consumption Increases Plasma Arginine Concentrations in Adults”. With this study come 4 new nutritional claims for watermelon.

1.Watermelon consumption increases free arginine and citrulline, which can help maintain cardiovascular function.
2.Eating watermelon can help maintain cardiovascular health.
3.Watermelon has amino acids such as citrulline and arginine that helps maintain arteries.
4.Watermelon amino acids citrulline and arginine can help maintain blood flow and heart health.

Other important nutritional benefits from watermelon include:
•Vitamin A for eye health
•Vitamin C form immune system defense and protection from free radical damage
•Vitamin B6 used in manufacturing brain chemicals such as serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine which may help the body cope with anxiety and panic
•Potassium needed for water absorption in cells and can help prevent muscle cramping.
•Watermelon is also, low in calories, fat free and sodium free

For the best watermelon, stop at your local farmers markets or ask your grocers for local products. Fruit and vegetables grown locally are the freshest source of healthy food for you and your family. For more information on watermelon visit the web site http://watermelon.org.

Buying agricultural products and services is one of the main ways you can preserve open space and farm land in your community. If farmers make a profit they will generally not sell their farm. Yes, we consider plants grown by our nursery growers as farm products
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Most of the major food retailers also tell us its very important to their businesses need local farm products to attract customers. I buy local because I also think the products are fresher , and of better quality. In most cases I also think I get a better buy. ."

On of the things we've done in Gloucester County is write and publish a "Guide to Gloucester County Farm Products

With the help of the County, our advisory boards and our farmers we have printed and are distributing an easy-to-read guide and map listing 115 markets garden centers, equine and other agricultural and agritourism operations growing, producing, and marketing products and services from Gloucester County farms.

This map lists and locates each operation with information on what they sell to the public, their hours of operation, how to contact them, and some even have their own web sites.

If you want to buy local contact me at gloucester@aesop.rutgers.edu and send me your address. I will be happy to send you a copy of our "Guide to Glocuester County Farm Products.

Jerry Frecon
Agricultural Agent